A22 lands $327K on Shark Tank Dubai to build Arab world's collectible brands
What's the deal? A22Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the Dubai-based consumer IP company behind the Dabubu character, raised US$307K (roughly $327,000) for 20% equity on Shark Tank DubaiDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, valuing it at US$1.53M. The early-stage deal was led by Toufic KreidiehDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, chosen from four offers the founders fielded on the show.
Why now? Co-founders Fadi Arab and Farah Merhy closed the deal in the Season 4 premiere, which aired on Dubai TV on October 12, 2026. They pitched a simple question: why the Arab world has not yet produced its own global character brand.
What's the endgame? A22 is not building a toy line. It builds culturally native collectible brands from the Arab world and takes them to global markets, treating the IP as the core asset and each product or drop as an expression of it. The investment will fund the launch of its next collectible universes.
The proof of concept: Dabubu launched in December 2025 and has reached 43 million people organically, selling out its first release in two hours. It has since expanded into confectionery, fashion, and accessories, with trademarks registered in the US and China.
Its limited "Golden Drop" edition — 10 of 2,000 units carried a real 18K gold tag — showcased the scarcity-driven release model behind the world's most sought-after collectible IPs.
What could go wrong? The model rests on a single character to date. Scaling from one viral hit to a durable portfolio of brands is unproven, and global collectible markets are crowded with established players.
The signal: The round is small, but it signals the UAE's push to make the creative economy a pillar of its future. "We want A22 to show what that can produce: original IP with real cultural roots, built here, and loved everywhere," Merhy said.
Read more: menews247.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
