Bengaluru-based gaming investment firm Jetapult has made its inaugural investment in the Middle East by acquiring a significant equity stake in Saudi Arabia’s UMX Studio for $4.5 million (approximately Rs 37.8 crore). This strategic move aims to strengthen UMX Studio’s existing portfolio and expand its market reach.
In addition to the equity acquisition, Jetapult plans to inject capital to help UMX Studio enhance its audience across various markets and explore the development of games in new genres. The gaming experts at Jetapult will provide crucial support in areas such as user acquisition, monetization strategies, and the integration of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools.
Founded in 2022 as part of digital entertainment firm JetSynthesys, Jetapult is led by Sharan Tulsiani and Yash Baid. The company operates under an invest-and-operate model, targeting gaming studios in regions like Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, and now the MENA region. Jetapult has committed to investing $100 million over the next five years to bolster its gaming initiatives.
“This investment aligns with Jetapult’s vision to build a diverse portfolio of gaming studios in emerging markets, which present significant growth opportunities, particularly in the gaming sector,” said Tulsiani, who previously oversaw gaming operations at Google Play for Asia, India, and ANZ markets.
With prior investments including Mumbai-based Holy Cow Studio, Jetapult aims to invest in four to five companies each year. Baid emphasized the strategic importance of UMX Studio, noting that it is among the first developers to create culturally resonant games for the Middle Eastern audience. “We believe that expanding UMX’s offerings under a cohesive umbrella of companies will be advantageous in the coming years,” he added.
This investment is part of a larger trend in the gaming industry, where companies are increasingly pursuing overseas acquisitions to enhance their portfolios and capture emerging market opportunities.