Neom, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city being built on the shores of the Red Sea has partnered with Saudi Arabian NTDP ( National Technology Development Program) and Outlier Ventures, a global Web3 accelerator, to launch the first Web3 accelerator and the FutureSpark Base Camp Demo Day.

Naif Abu Saida, Director of Web3 at Neom stated in a LinkedIn post, ” The future is here, and it’s powered by Web3.  Since the beginning of our Web3 journey at NEOM, we’ve been working tirelessly to bring innovation to the forefront, and today, we’re proud to unveil the Kingdom’s first Web3 accelerator!”
NEOM, in collaboration with NTDP and, Outlier Ventures, presented FutureSpark Base Camp Demo Day in Riyadh. This event featured nine cutting-edge startups from the local and global Web3 ecosystem, highlighting the talent and innovation shaping the future of technology.

The Demo Day took place on January 20th 2025, Abu Saida noted,” On Monday, we wrapped up an amazing day at the FutureSpark Base Camp Demo Day! The energy in the room was incredible as nine talented startups showcased their hard work and bold ideas. A huge shoutout to the teams for their inspiring presentations and for sharing how they’re breaking new ground in Web3 technology. It’s exciting to see how their innovations could shape the future of the digital world. We’re also deeply thankful to our partners, National Technology Development Program NTDP and Outlier Ventures, for their tremendous effort to make this program a success story.”

According to Abu Saida this is just the beginning. The FutureSpark Base Camp cohort is one of many cohorts to come, supporting Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing Web3 ecosystem and paving the way for more innovation.

Outlier Ventures developed Base Camp Program in KSA

This is not the first program that Outlier Ventures has participated in. In 2024 it announced the launch of its Riyadh KSA Base Camp Program. The Base Camp Program, will start in early September 2024 for a duration of 12 weeks. Investments will reach up to $100,000 to help startups who are accepted relocate to Saudi Arabia. As per Outlier Ventures website, the Riyadh-based program would take the strongest founders across the region’s most promising technology verticals, giving them the resources they need to build industry-defining startups.

Neom partnered with Animoca brands to build solid Web3 infrastructure

In 2024, Animoca Brands and Saudi Arabian NEOM Investment Fund signed a strategic partnership that included a $50 million convertible notes financing from NEOM into Animoca. In early January of 2025, Animoca Brands announced that the next step of the partnership is fast approaching and it includes building a solid web3 infrastructure using innovative technologies.

 In 2024, Animoca Brands and Saudi Arabian NEOM Investment Fund signs a strategic partnership that included a $50 million convertible notes financing from NEOM into Animoca, today Animoca Brands announce that the next step of the partnership is fast approaching and it includes building a solid web3 infrastructure using innovative technologies.

In the 2024 announcement, as part of the partnership, Animoca Brands would work with NEOM to build Web3 enterprise service capabilities which would be deployed to support technology advancements in Riyadh and the NEOM region.

As per the news at the time, these projects would include a range of Web3 initiatives, including plans to establish a hub within NEOM to nurture the local Web3 ecosystem and bring in extensive capabilities from across Animoca Brands and its subsidiaries, partners, and broad portfolio of investments.

In a recent Linkedin post, Animoca Brands noted that they continue to support NEOM and its commitment to driving regional web3 development.

In 2024, Animoca Brands facilitated the Web3 development of NEOM with dedicated Web3 strategy workshops, and the networking conference “Outer Edge Riyadh” in KSA.

In 20205 the next phase starts which will include building the Web3 infrastructure.

As per the LinkedIn post which quoted Yat Siu as saying, “NEOM is the world’s most ambitious project seeking to use innovation and technology to redefine how we live, work, and play.”

Animoca Brands has invested in startups in KSA including Saudi’s first NFT marketplace platform, Nuqtah.

Blockchain digital assets analyst and expert Henri Arslanian has launched Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler, a groundbreaking new children’s book that combines education with entertainment, guiding young readers through the fascinating world of digital assets, blockchain technology, and the future of money.

As per the press release, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler is just the beginning of an ambitious project to bring digital literacy and financial education to children worldwide.

As the first book in an exciting new series, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler takes readers on an adventurous learning journey alongside two charismatic crypto-enthusiasts, Henri and Hodler, who, together with a lively cast of characters—including the tech-savvy Solidity, and buddies Naka and Moto—make complex topics fun and engaging.


Through clever rhymes, vivid illustrations, and creative interactive elements, children learn about the history and evolution of money and discover new concepts about the future of money, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to the latest trends in DeFi, NFTs, Metaverses, and more.
The book introduces readers to these topics in a clear, easy to follow “A-to-Z” format, beginning with Altcoin, Bitcoin, and Cryptography … and continuing through to Yield Farming and ZK-Proof.


Developed in Collaboration With Crypto Firms Ledger and First Digital The book’s production and development spanned over three years and included interviews with dozens of educators, teachers, and parents to ensure that the subject matter is presented in a
clear, ethical, and responsible manner.


The book is powered by collaborations with leading crypto firms, with Ledger serving as the premier technology partner and First Digital serving as the premier education partner.

Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler is co-authored by Henri Arslanian, a globally recognized thought leader and educator in the world of crypto and digital assets. Henri is the author of several bestselling books on crypto and the future of money including “The Book of Crypto” and “The Future of Finance.”

With his experience as a university professor teaching crypto since 2015, the host of the Crypto Capsule LinkedIn educational series that is shared weekly with his over half-million LinkedIn followers, and recently the co-host of the Crypto Weekly show on CNBC Arabia, Henri brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for educating the next generation on the future of finance.
Co-author, Michael Dotsikas, is a bestselling children’s author, creator of the award-winning “Benjamin Birdie” children’s picture book series, an experienced writer, and sought-after literary mentor with a deep commitment to making complex topics accessible and engaging for young readers, while devoted to mindful storytelling.


Together, they have crafted a book that not only demystifies the often-complex world of digital assets but does so in a way that is fun, interactive, and suitable for children of all ages. The book is illustrated by Billy Martin, who is best known as the lead guitarist for the
multi-platinum selling bank Good Charlotte.

Yat Siu, Chairman and Co-Founder of Animoca Brands, calls it “a perfect introduction to the world of blockchain and the future of money for the next generation,” while Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger, highlights the book’s vital role in empowering children: “The transformative power of cryptocurrencies is something everyone needs to understand, and kids first! This book
is a must-read!”

Unlike traditional children’s books, Decoding Crypto with Henri & Hodler takes an interactive storytelling approach, blending vibrant comic book style illustrations with playful, engaging narrative to create a dynamic learning experience, capturing the imagination while inviting
reader participation.


A unique feature is the inclusion of QR codes throughout, which lead readers to additional resources, offering deeper insights into the various concepts and terms explored in the story.


Another valuable educational element is the added in-depth glossary and appendices of “fun facts” designed to equip parents and educators with additional knowledge, empowering them to better understand the subject matter.

Boba Network, an optimistic-based multichain layer-2 scaling blockchain solution, has launched the Boba Liftoff Accelerator partnering with venture capitalists, free zone areas in the UAE and others from North America and Southeast Asia. The Boba Liftoff accelerator will assist global Web3 startups to benefit from over US$1 million in funding from Boba Network through the virtual accelerator.

Boba Liftoff Accelerator was launched in partnership with UAE based Brinc venture accelerator firm to support founders in migrating their projects to the Boba Network, an efficient layer-2 solution that offers affordable building costs, lower transaction fees, and enhanced computational power through hybrid computing. 

Establishing partnerships with industry heavyweights, including Animoca Brands, Bixin Ventures, Ceras, Cointelegraph, DMCC ( Dubai Multi Commodities Center), Enjinstarter, Enya Labs, Gate.io, Genesis Capital, Ghaf Capital Partners, Gotbit, Mulana Capital and The Crypto Times, the Boba Liftoff Accelerator boasts a strong network of 100 Web3 mentors and includes top investors from MENA, North America, and Southeast Asia. For example EnjinStarter was already a launchpad partner for Boba.

The Boba Liftoff Accelerator aims to identify and mentor leading Web3 startups focused on scaling real-world assets (RWA), AI, DeFi and gaming projects. All successful applicants receive milestone-based grants, comprehensive technical support and strategic business development resources. Participants will also gain lifetime access to the network, ongoing support, and extensive promotion across Boba and Brinc’s global communities and social media platforms.

The Boba Liftoff Accelerator program lasts 10 weeks and is designed to support projects in expanding onto the Boba Network and scaling rapidly. The program leverages Brinc’s and Boba’s robust networks, mentors, and social platforms to promote projects. It is entirely remote, featuring two workshops per week, engineering support from Boba Network, weekly mentorship sessions, investor and partnership connections as needed, and weekly office hours. 

“We envision a world where blockchain developers can build applications that use the power of decentralization to solve real-world problems. The Boba Liftoff Accelerator enables developers to do just that, with support from industry experts, to accelerate their progress. We can’t wait to see what they build and support them on their journeys.” Alan Chiu, CEO, Enya Labs, a core contributor to Boba Network.

“This program represents a major investment in the future of Web3,” said Yasin Aboudaoud, Managing Partner – MENA and Chief Development Officer, Brinc. “With Boba Network allocating over US$1 million to support startups in DeFi, RWAs, Gaming, and AI, we are not only advancing these key sectors but also reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for technological innovation.”

For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit the accelerator page. 

UAE based Param Labs, an independent Web3 Blockchain gaming and technology studio raises $7 million in strategic funding round led by Animoca Brands. Other investors included Delphi Ventures, Mechanism Capital, P2 ventures, Merit Circle, TRGC, MH Ventures, and UAE based Cypher Capital.

,Param Labs boasts a fairly robust online community. The company said it has more than 2.5 million followers on X across all its pages, in addition to 500,000 Discord users, according to a statement. The platform also has 300,000 daily active users, said Param Labs.

“This collaboration aligns with our shared vision to redefine the gaming landscape, ensuring that gamers are the true owners of their digital assets,” Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu said in the statement.

The availability of funds of this type will play a significant role in strengthening blockchain enabled Param Labs’ efforts to create a gaming world solely for native PARAM tokens. This supports the general mission to open the gates to the luminary members of the gaming world to own their assets.

Anthony Anderson, founder and CEO of Param Labs and Kiraverse, emphasized the importance of the strategic investment and partnership with Animoca Brands: “This investment marks a significant milestone for Param Labs’ ecosystem development and the broader Web3 gaming landscape. Our vision is aligned with that of Animoca Brands and we’re thrilled to collaborate on the creation of valuable products at the forefront of gaming’s innovative shift to digital ownership. With our new funding, we’ll continue to invest in building out and scaling our current products while also advancing our ecosystem initiatives and fostering community involvement.”

The investment in Param Labs announced today further expands the presence of Animoca Brands in MENA, following a partnership with NEOM to drive Web3 in the region, and with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to establish a physical office and Web3 hub in Riyadh.

Param Labs aims to build a gaming ecosystem that will be governed by its native PARAM token, which will soon be launched, the company also said. The company’s first game, “Kiraverse,” is a play-to-earn, multiplayer shooter.

 UAE Web3 gamified digital assets startup Eesee, that allows users to place tiny bids on high-value assets such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs and real-world assets, has received an investment from Animoca Brands. As part of the partnership, Animoca Brands will provide its industry expertise and connections to Eeseee, bolstering Eesee’s goal to enhance the efficiency and experience of digital asset trading within the Web3 environment.

Eesee already has over 1.6 million wallets already on its testnet, Eesee has more than tripled its user base and volume since the start of 2024, and 31% of Eesee users engage in more than 10 transactions per day.

According to the press release, the partnership with Animoca Brands will advance Eesee’s mission to become a one-stop liquidity solution for sellers. With a growing community and over 2,000 tickets bought per day on the Eesee platform, the partnership with Animoca Brands will allow Eesee to reach a wider audience and strengthen its connections within the Web3 ecosystem through Animoca Brands’ portfolio of over 400 Web3 companies and projects.

Eesee previously raised over US$3 million in funding rounds from SevenX Ventures, Maven Capital, and Momentum 6, as well as through high-profile crypto influencers such as Ivan on Tech, Pentoshi Gmoney, and others.

Yat Siu, the co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, commented, “We’re excited about investing into Eesee and entering into a partnership that aligns strongly with the vision shared by both of our companies to bridge real-world assets into the Web3 landscape. We look forward to the progress and success of Eesee as the platform continues to grow and evolve.”

Vova Sadkov, founder and CEO of Eesee, added, “If it wasn’t amazing enough to see the Eesee journey so far, having Animoca Brands – one of the most important companies in the industry – not only as an investor but also a partner is the cherry on top. We’re thrilled to work closely with the team at Animoca Brands. It will bring tremendous value to our ecosystem.”

Eesee aims to provide the main features of the models of major auction platforms (e.g. eBay) and NFT marketplaces (e.g. Blur) with a twist, allowing users to place small bids on high-value real-life items as well as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The rest of the bids are converted into funds that are staked on the Eesee platform, and can offer a potential return for all bidders.

Eesee plans to launch later in 2024 on Blast, a layer 2 mainnet with native yield built on top of Ethereum, and which recently made headlines when its launch unlocked $2.3 billion of staked crypto for the first time.

This is not the first gaming startup in the UAE to receive investment from Animoca Brands. Animoca brands recently invested in UAE based Param Labs, a blockchain enabled gaming infrastructure provider.

Animoca brands, which offers digital property rights for games and open metaverse, continues to invest in gaming and Web3 start-ups in the MENA region. Its latest investment is with UAE based Param Labs, a blockchain enabled gaming infrastructure provider.

As per the press release, the investment will strengthen the two companies’ existing partnership to accelerate the development of Param Labs’ scalable blockchain enabled Web3 infrastructure and expand its ecosystem, which boasts over 50 IP partnerships with notable brands such as GameStop, Pudgy Penguins, Mocaverse, and more.

Param Labs is focused on developing video games and infrastructure to power the next generation of gaming. Kiraverse, the flagship Web3 multiplayer third-person shooter game developed by Param Labs, offers players the opportunity to compete, earn, and trade digital assets like characters and skins. Kiraverse is designed to promote digital ownership and user-generated value, leveraging Param Labs’ innovative technology.

Param Labs is also actively constructing technology to equip developers with the necessary tools they need to effortlessly elevate their users’ blockchain based experiences, ensuring seamless interaction for gamers across the globe. Additionally, its Pixel-to-Poly service enables users to transform 2D images into 3D playable in-game characters, compatible with Kiraverse as well as popular Web2 titles including Grand Theft Auto V and Fortnite.

With a strong focus on esports, Param Labs has also partnered with major esports organisations worldwide to promote Web3 ecosystem growth around gaming, and is gearing up for a token launch that will serve as an ecosystem token for its upcoming games and infrastructure.

Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, said, “We’re excited to invest in and partner with Param Labs to drive Web3 development in MENA and advance the cause of digital property rights in the open metaverse. Both Animoca Brands and Param Labs share a vision to redefine the gaming landscape and the open metaverse by leveraging the power of shared network effects.”

Anthony Anderson, founder and CEO of Param Labs and Kiraverse, emphasized the importance of the strategic investment and partnership with Animoca Brands: “This investment marks a significant milestone for Param Labs’ ecosystem development and the broader Web3 gaming landscape. Our vision is aligned with that of Animoca Brands and we’re thrilled to collaborate on the creation of valuable products at the forefront of gaming’s innovative shift to digital ownership. With our new funding, we’ll continue to invest in building out and scaling our current products while also advancing our ecosystem initiatives and fostering community involvement.”

This announcement comes after Animoca Brands just signed an agreement with KACST in Saudi Arabia to grow Web3 development in the country.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) during the LEAP 2024 event, signed an agreement with Animoca Brands to propel Blockchain and Web3 system in KSA. The agreement aims to facilitate the entrance of companies and institutions into the Web3 and blockchain ecosystem.

As per the agreement both entities will work to develop joint research and development projects in Blockchain applications, games, AI and metaverse development.

KACST has signed 13 partnerships at the event so far with one being a partnership with the Global Semiconductor Group focusing on the design of electronic chips.

KACST also signed a strategic partnership with Elm Company, to enhance cooperation in the field of future cities’ technologies and emerging technologies, in addition to its partnership with Tulip Technologies Company to enhance cooperation in research and development, and training in the field of robotics, AI, and automation.

Animoca brands has been expanding its presence in the MENA region, including KSA. Animoca Brands was one of the investors in Saudi’s first NFT marketplace platform, Nuqtah. Nuqtah raised a seed round of millions of dollars from Blockchain platform Polygon and Animoca Brands.

In addition, in October 2023, Metaverse creator Animoca Brands Corporation Limited announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“Strategic Partnership”) with NEOM Company (“NEOM”) to drive regional Web3 initiatives in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. This came after NEOM investment fund signed a term sheet for $50 million investment in Animoca Brands.

In the UAE, Animoca Brands, early investors in The Sandbox, invested in UAE gaming startup Farcana, to advance digital property rights for gaming and the metaverse fueling Farcana’s beta launch and development within the Bitcoin Ecosystem with Free Mint Bitcoin ordinals.

Metaverse creator Animoca Brands Corporation Limited has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“Strategic Partnership”) with NEOM Company (“NEOM”) to drive regional Web3 initiatives in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, after NEOM investment fund signed a term sheet for $50 million investment in Animoca Brands.

As per the Convertible Notes Financing Term Sheet (“Term Sheet”). NEOM Investment Fund is proposing to invest US$50 million in Animoca Brands, of which US$25 million will be via the issuance of convertible notes at a conversion cap price of A$4.50 per share, with substantively the same terms as the strategic funding round previously disclosed by the Company in the announcement of 8 September 2022; and the remaining US$25 million will be invested in purchasing the Company’s shares on the secondary market.

As part of the strategic relationship, Animoca Brands will work with NEOM on building Web3 enterprise service capabilities with global commercial applicability, which will be deployed to support technology advancements in Riyadh and the NEOM region. These projects will include a range of Web3 initiatives, including plans to establish a hub within NEOM to nurture the local Web3 ecosystem and bring in extensive capabilities from across Animoca Brands and its subsidiaries, partners, and broad portfolio of investments.

The execution of definitive documents for the Convertible Notes Financing are subject to a number of conditions precedent.

Majid Mufti, CEO of NEOM Investment Fund, commented: “We are excited to partner with Animoca Brands to support the development of NEOM’s digital infrastructure. Web3 technology and infrastructure development will not only be an important foundation of NEOM’s tech stack and architecture, but also has potential to revolutionize global industries. By partnering with a market-leading company like Animoca Brands, we hope to accelerate Web3 technology development and adoption.”

Yat Siu, the co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, commented: “We are honored and excited to partner with and receive investment from NEOM, one of the world’s most ambitious projects seeking to use innovation and technology to redefine how we live, work, and play. We have always referred to the growth of the Web3 ecosystem as the emergence of a new meta-nation, and now NEOM could well become the first region to fully harness the power of blockchain.”

NEOM has inaugurated its strategic investment arm, the NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), NEOM’s wholly owned subsidiary which is set up to support the buildout and development of NEOM’s 14 priority sectors of which technology and digital are an integral part.

NIF will invest globally through Mergers & Acquisitions and venture capital in technology startups, with a clear focus on pioneering growth companies and next-generation industries.  NIF will also develop Joint Ventures and partnerships with large multinationals, institutional investors and innovators within NEOM.

As part of its inauguration, NIF is announcing new investments in companies including Pony.ai, Regent, Boom Technology, BlueNalu and Animoca Brands, details of which will be shared in the coming days. These investments, which add to those NIF has led to date, illustrate its role working alongside NEOM sectors to support their strategies for growth, enabling new technologies, establishing businesses, and creating a thriving economy in NEOM.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM said: “The vision of NEOM is to address global challenges that redefine livability, conservation and business. As NEOM’s strategic investment subsidiary, NIF will play a critical role in converting NEOM’s vision to reality. NIF will enable NEOM to sustain its contribution to realizing the ambitions of the Kingdom over the long term, cementing its position as a key driver of economic diversification and job creation.”

Majid Mufti, CEO of NEOM Investment Fund, said,“The NIF strategy is designed to align NEOM’s development objectives with those of innovators and institutional investors, de-risking opportunities for them to participate in creating core global growth businesses and a thriving economy in NEOM. To date, NIF has invested in several technology companies within the 14 priority sectors of NEOM that will accelerate technologies critical to the NEOM project and have a major impact on the future of living and sustainability. Replicated over time, this approach will position NEOM as a model for sustainable economic development.”

As a catalyst for change, NIF actively seeks deep partnerships with likeminded investors and bold entrepreneurs working on the world’s most complex problems, in line with NEOM’s vision. It aspires to create regional and global champion companies across NEOM’s 14 economic sectors by investing in commercially viable projects and ‘moonshot’ ideas enabled by cutting edge technologies. To accelerate the change, NIF will focus on developing investment opportunities for the private sector to participate in and will directly invest to unlock solutions that would be piloted and scaled-up in NEOM, and eventually exported to the world.

As part of its mandate, NIF will also be assuming the role of portfolio manager for NEOM’s sector assets and companies. This role will safeguard returns for the shareholder and investors through portfolio synergies and will underpin NEOM’s long-term financial sustainability.