Impact46 Acquires Saudi Gaming Studio Kammelna for $53 Million: A Boost for Regional Gaming
Impact46, a prominent Saudi Arabian venture capital firm, has made its largest investment to date, acquiring the popular Saudi gaming studio Kammelna for a significant $53 million. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for the Saudi gaming industry, signaling substantial growth and potential within the sector. This move is particularly relevant to the African tech landscape as it highlights the increasing investment in digital entertainment across the Middle East, which often mirrors trends and opportunities available on the African continent.
The Rise of Kammelna and the Baloot Phenomenon
Founded in 2009 by Bader Al Zamil, Kammelna has solidified its position as the leading digital platform for Baloot, a culturally significant card game in the Kingdom. The platform boasts an impressive 6 million downloads and attracts over 1 million monthly active users (MAUs). Further demonstrating its popularity, Kammelna’s Baloot tournaments regularly draw a massive following, with some events attracting up to 150,000 players. This success has enabled Kammelna to become the largest independent gaming employer in Saudi Arabia, with a team of over 40 professionals in engineering, product development, and art. The investment from Impact46 will fuel further innovation and expansion, paving the way for new culturally relevant game development, increased global reach, and the potential to establish new gaming brands.
This acquisition underscores the growing interest and investment in the gaming sector within the Middle East and highlights the potential for similar growth in other emerging markets, including those in Africa.
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