- The Founders' Duet
- Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
- A Global Crescendo and The Historic Symphony on NASDAQ
- Beyond Streaming: Amplifying a Region's Soundscape
- The Future Encore: Expansion and Refinement
Amid the dynamic tech scene in the Middle East, few companies radiate the audacious charm and innovative spirit of Anghami, the region’s premier music streaming platform. This digital haven for millions of music lovers is the brainchild of two visionary Lebanese entrepreneurs, Eddy Maroun and Elie Habib. Their story is a captivating blend of hard work, sheer talent, and a deep-rooted passion for the transformative power of music.
The Founders’ Duet
Maroun, a serial entrepreneur with an outstanding ability for spotting opportunities, and Habib, a seasoned IT expert with a gift for translating dreams into scalable code, coincidently met on a ski slope in 2011. What began as a casual conversation about the frustrating limitations of music access in the region quickly blossomed into a shared vision – to create a platform that celebrated the vibrant tapestry of Arab music and offered it to the world on a silver platter.
Thus, in 2012, Anghami was born. Unlike its global counterparts, Anghami’s DNA was soaked in the rhythms and nuances of the Arab world. Its meticulously curated library embraced the regional love for oud, tarab, and khaleeji tunes, while simultaneously catering to the cosmopolitan appetites of a generation raised on pop and electronica. This unwavering commitment to localization, a strategic decision that set Anghami apart, resonated deeply with the region’s music enthusiasts.
Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
Anghami’s remarkable journey to success extended beyond its selection of playlists. Founders Maroun and Habib skillfully harnessed the potential of strategic partnerships. Collaborating with regional telecom leaders such as Orange and Etisalat, they launched Anghami into widespread popularity. These alliances were key in transforming a growing idea into a well-known name across homes in the region.
Yet, Anghami refused to rest on its successes. Continuously innovating, the platform rolled out features like personalized recommendations, live radio stations, and exclusive artist partnerships, ensuring users were never short of a fresh musical adventure. Anghami Plus, its premium subscription service, offered ad-free listening and exclusive content, further solidifying its position as the region’s go-to music destination.
A Global Crescendo and The Historic Symphony on NASDAQ
The year 2021 marked a monumental shift for Anghami. Choosing Abu Dhabi as its global headquarters was a clear indication of Anghami’s aim to reach beyond its regional boundaries and captivate listeners worldwide. This bold step led to a monumental milestone in 2022 – Anghami made history as the first Arab tech company to be listed on the NASDAQ. This achievement firmly placed Anghami in the history books of entrepreneurial triumphs.
Amplifying a Region’s Soundscape
The impact of Anghami surpasses the world of streaming figures and market valuations. It has empowered a generation of Arab artists, offering them a platform to reach a wider audience and monetize their talent. It has fostered a thriving digital music ecosystem, connecting artists, labels, and music enthusiasts in a vibrant online community. Most importantly, Anghami has ignited a spark of inspiration in aspiring entrepreneurs across the region, demonstrating that with grit, innovation, and a deep understanding of their market, dreams can, quite literally, be turned into chart-topping successes.
Expansion and Refinement
As Anghami’s melody continues to play, its future promises to be a harmonious blend of expansion and refinement. The company is eyeing new territories, with North Africa and other regions ready for their music. They’re also branching out into original content, including podcasts and video shows, aiming to enchant their audience even more. Plus, the integration of AI and data analysis promises to tailor the user experience in unprecedented ways.
Anghami’s Triumphant March
Anghami is born
The curtain rises on Anghami, offering a curated music library that resonated with the Arab world’s musical sensibilities.
2013
1M funding
Anghami raises $1 million in funding from Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP).
2014
3M funding
Anghami raises $3 million in funding from MEVP and MBC Ventures.
2015
10M funding
Anghami raises $10 million in funding from Samena Capital.
2016
1M funding
Anghami raises $1 million in funding from Mobily Ventures.
2017
19M funding
Anghami raises $19 million in funding from investors including Middle East Venture Partners, Samena Capital, MBC Ventures, and Mobily Ventures. This influx of funds accelerated their efforts in acquiring new content and expanding their user base, paving the way for a substantial leap forward in their growth.
2018
Anghami Plus debut & Vodafone
Anghami Plus, the platform’s premium subscription option, made its debut, providing users with ad-free listening and exclusive features. This launch reinforced Anghami’s dedication to enhancing the listening experience for its users.
Anghami partners with Vodafone Egypt to offer music streaming services to Vodafone subscribers.
2019
4M funding
Anghami raises $4 million in funding from Shuaa Capital.
2021
Abu Dhabi here we come
Anghami established its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi, signaling its ambition to excel regional boundaries and embrace the global stage.
Anghami launches six new telco partnerships and offers across KSA, UAE, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria (Virgin Mobile KSA & UAE, Zain KSA, Orange Tunisia, Maroc Telecom, Djezzy Algeria).
Anghami listed on NASDAQ stocks
Anghami Becomes the First Arab Tech Company to Be Listed on NASDAQ Stock Exchange as It Begins Trading on February 4, 2022. This historic accomplishment echoed around the world, marking a significant milestone.
July, 2022
Acquisition of Spotlight events
Anghami acquires events company Spotlight, as it plans to expand its business to the live entertainment scene.
October, 2022
Anghami & TikToK
Anghami’s first collaboration with TikTok began with the launch of the “Sound of Saudi” initiative in mid-October 2022. This was a fully digital talent show designed to discover and promote new music talents from Saudi Arabia. The collaboration was endorsed by the Saudi Arabia Music Commission and gained significant attention and success, showcasing a deep pool of untapped musical talent in the region.
November, 2022
Anghami Lab
In partership with Addmind, Anghami launched “Anghami Lab”, an innovative new entertainment venue in Riyadh with a totally unique concept: a lounge, stage and studio offering an epic blend of good vibes, live performances, and original new music and culinary delights.
October 2023
Anghami and Amazon Alexa
Anghami and Amazon Alexa are bringing a limited-time offer to music lovers in the UAE and KSA.
This collaboration invites users to subscribe to the Anghami Plus Yearly Plan. Subscribers will enjoy a diverse range of ad-free music and entertainment on Anghami, and will also receive a unique promo code to redeem an Echo Dot (5th Gen) Smart Speaker on amazon.sa or amazon.ae, at no additional cost
November, 2023
Anghami and OSN+
Anghami and OSN+ sign a landmark transaction set to transform MENA entertainment. A first of its kind in the region, the combination of the two local home-grown brands will offer consumers unprecedented digital aggregation of the best and latest in premium movies, TV shows, music, podcasts and more while providing a rich and seamless user experience.
Unpacking Anghami’s Success Formula
Several factors orchestrated Anghami’s harmonious ascent:
- Localization: Unlike global giants, Anghami recognized the power of regional music, tailoring its library and features to cater to the distinct preferences of its Arab audience.
- Strategic Alliances: Anghami partnered with regional powerhouses like telcos and media giants like MBC Group, gaining access to vast user bases and boosting its content library.
- Innovation: Anghami’s constant evolution kept users engaged. Features like personalized recommendations, live radio, and artist partnerships ensured that the platform remained fresh and exciting.
- User-Centric Approach: Anghami prioritized a seamless listening experience. Intuitive interfaces, offline playback options, and a focus on user feedback cemented its position as the most user-friendly platform in the region.
Anghami’s Enduring Legacy
Anghami’s impact extends beyond simply playing music. It has:
- Empowered Arab artists: Anghami provides a platform for regional talents to reach a wider audience and monetize their work, fostering a vibrant music ecosystem.
- Championed cultural exchange: Anghami bridges the gap between regional and international music, introducing Arab music to the world and exposing listeners to global sounds.
- Inspired a generation: Anghami’s success story serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region, proving that innovation and a deep understanding of the local market can lead to global success.
Anghami’s Nonstop Melody
Anghami’s story is a captivating melody of vision, innovation, and cultural understanding. It is a story that began on a snowy slope, echoed across countless playlists, and finished in the ringing of NASDAQ bells. And as the final notes fade, one thing remains certain – the music will never stop playing, and Anghami will continue to be the platform that keeps the Middle East and the world dancing to its own beat.
