💰 VUZ Just Got a $12M Boost
Can the MENA-born platform turn 360° content into the next big thing?
Hey streamers! Today, let’s step into the screen, literally 👀👇
Last week, one news caught my eye: VUZ, the immersive video platform that lets you go behind the scenes at red carpets and stadiums, just raised $12 million.
They want to grow in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and expand to Africa, Asia, and the U.S.
But what does this funding really mean?
Read on to learn about:
What is VUZ? A closer look at the platform bringing fans behind the scenes
The $12M funding round: How VUZ plans to grow internationally?
So What? The challenges, the opportunities, and some bold ideas
This newsletter is supported by Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions.
With headquarters in Brussels, Mediagenix partners with over 200 media companies worldwide. In MENA, they help broadcasters like MBC Group, Al Jazeera Media Network and BeIN Media Group optimize their business operations.
Mediagenix has been busy in the Middle East this month, and for good reasons:
🇦🇪 The MENA and European teams were at CABSAT in Dubai, meeting with the local streaming ecosystem.
🤝 They announced a new partnership with White Peaks Solutions and Sharjah Broadcasting Authority to bring better content personalization to their streaming platform Maraya.
🏆 And they won the BroadcastPro Middle East Award for Scheduling Automation, recognized as the best in content scheduling and monetization.
Want to learn more about Mediagenix? Download their whitepaper and discover how they can:
Boost scheduling efficiency by up to 80% with AI automation
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Manage live content and ads with real-time flexibility
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What is VUZ?
VUZ is a video platform where you watch content in a different way. It uses 360-degree videos to put you in the middle of the action.
You can turn your phone or swipe the screen to look around. Imagine standing on the field during a football game, in the ring during a fight, or behind the stage at a concert. That’s what VUZ is trying to offer.
The app works on mobile, the web, smart TVs, and it’s even available on VR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro. In fact, VUZ was one of the first apps to launch on it, a big win for a MENA startup.
The platform already has over 15 million users and has also passed 3 billion views in total.
When you open VUZ, you land on a homepage full of carousels, like a traditional streaming media platform. The first one is the “Channel List”, premium content coming from partnerships with sports leagues, events, and even brands.
In the UAE, the platform shows up to 192 channels. Here are some of the most followed channels: