• Saudi Arabia-based mobile gaming studio Sheba Joy has raised $293,000 (SAR 1.1 million) pre-seed funding led by Merak Capital.
• Founded in 2021 by Ebrahim Al Hussam and Faisal Aidaros, the company relocated its HQ from Dubai to Riyadh while keeping offices in Dubai and a creative hub in India.
• Sheba Joy has published two games and plans to launch four more in 2025.
• Funding will support production expansion, talent acquisition, and culturally grounded games aligned with Vision 2030.

Press release:

Sheba Joy, a Riyadh-headquartered mobile gaming studio, has raised $293,000 (SAR 1.1 million) in a pre-seed round led by Merak Capital, a Saudi venture capital firm.

Founded in 2021 in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Sheba Joy has since relocated its headquarters to Riyadh in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to become a global gaming hub. The company retains offices in Dubai and operates a creative game studio in India. To date, Sheba Joy has published two games and plans to launch four additional titles in 2025.

“With Merak Capital’s support, we are scaling our operations in Riyadh to deliver world-class titles that can compete internationally and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s vision of becoming a global gaming powerhouse,” said Ebrahim Al Hussam, CEO of Sheba Joy.

With fresh funding, the studio will expand its production capabilities, attract top gaming talent, and build culturally grounded, commercially successful games that combine accessibility with depth.

This investment reflects Merak Capital’s broader strategy to support the MENA gaming sector, powered by one of the world’s youngest populations and high smartphone penetration. By backing companies like Sheba Joy, Merak aims to foster engaging gaming experiences for global audiences while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role as a leader in interactive entertainment.