Local mobile games publisher raises $3.5m for expansion

AMMAN — ​Tamatem, a leading mobile games publisher in the Arabic-speaking market, has raised a $3.5m Series A follow-up round, according to a company statement.

The round was led by existing investor ​Wamda Capital, with participation from Modern Electronics Company (a subsidiary of Al Faisaliah Group) and North Base Media. 

The purpose of this round is two-fold: To double down on Tamatem’s efforts in the region, and to expand beyond the MENA to underserved markets worldwide, according to the statement.

In 2020, Tamatem seeks to grow the marketing scale of their existing titles, including through offline events — a key piece of the region’s marketing landscape, according to the statement.

The company plans to open offices in Riyadh, the statement said, adding that, with the support of Modern Electronics Company, they aim to foster business development opportunities in the region’s largest market. 

Tamatem also expects a “stark increase” in the number of titles they work with in the region. 

Following its “success” in the Arabic-speaking market — with over 75 million downloads, 3.5 million monthly active users and a $2.5 million venture round in 2018 — Tamatem is looking to expand beyond its current regional boundaries, read the statement.

In 2020, Tamatem plans to publish titles in other emerging and underserved markets, the company said in the statement.

“Lots of start-ups in the Middle East feel their market potential is limited to this region. I love seeing start-ups expand beyond those boundaries and I am proud that the team at Tamatem is now looking beyond just the Arabic-speaking market,” CEO Hussam Hammo was quoted in the statement as saying.

“I believe this latest round of funding will allow us to deliver on our vision of becoming the top mobile games publisher for every underserved emerging market in the world,” Hammo added. 

“I believe we can create tremendous value for Arabic-speaking gamers by working closely with Tamatem. I look forward to working with Tamatem on their expansion,” Wajih Beiruti, CEO of Modern Electronics Company, said in the statement.