DNEG Group, a global leader in visual entertainment technology and services, announced that United Al Saqer Group (UASG) will invest $200 million in the company. This strategic investment values the DNEG Group at over $2 billion.
The DNEG Group, headquartered in London, has been at the forefront of the visual effects (VFX) industry for 25 years, known for its consistent innovation and growth. With the media and entertainment sector rapidly evolving, this investment from UASG will enhance DNEG’s strategy to expand beyond VFX services into content production and AI-powered technology solutions.
Key Developments from the Investment:
- Activation of Brahma: The technology division Brahma will be fully activated. Brahma is developing an AI-powered, photo-real CGI creator, leveraging DNEG’s 25 years of proprietary data. This includes Ziva, which DNEG recently licensed exclusively from Unity, aimed at democratizing photo-real content creation across various applications.
- Expansion of Prime Focus Studios: The content arm, Prime Focus Studios, will further invest in high-quality content production. Following the success of their co-production of The Garfield Movie, this division will continue to grow its portfolio in live-action, animation, and gaming.
- New Abu Dhabi Hub: DNEG will establish a new office and visual experience hub in Abu Dhabi, aimed at developing a world-class content production ecosystem in the Middle East. This initiative will create numerous highly skilled jobs and solidify the region’s status as a creative powerhouse.
Namit Malhotra, DNEG Chairman and CEO, will remain in his role and join the Group’s Board of Directors alongside Nabil Kobeissi and Edouard Zard from UASG, and Prabhu Narasimhan from NaMa Capital, who will also become Executive Chairman of Brahma.
Statements from Key Figures:
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, stated, “The strategic investment by United Al Saqer Group in The DNEG Group is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global powerhouse for creativity, innovation, technology, and investment. This partnership not only accelerates technological advancements in the media and entertainment sectors but also underscores our commitment to fostering a robust ecosystem for content creation. By establishing a new visual experience hub in Abu Dhabi, we are creating numerous job opportunities and enhancing our ecosystem that supports high-tech industries and creative excellence. This move reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s status as a prime destination for groundbreaking investments, visionary enterprises, and a thriving environment where creativity and technology converge.”
Nabil Kobeissi, CEO of UASG, remarked, “We are thrilled to join forces with Namit, Prabhu, and the DNEG Group. Namit’s visionary approach to revolutionizing the media and entertainment industry through cutting-edge technology is unparalleled. This strategic partnership not only turbo-charges the development of Brahma, the Group’s ground-breaking AI-powered CGI creator, but also, under Namit’s leadership, demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a global epicenter for content creation and distribution. By championing advanced AI technologies and expanding Prime Focus Studios, we are set to drive innovation and generate significant job opportunities across the UAE.”
Namit Malhotra, DNEG Chairman and CEO, said, “My career has been built on investing in and leading visual creativity with technology. Our partnership with UASG, the launch of Brahma, and the success of our content creation platform are all being fueled by the power of our technology. We are redefining our business model as a leader in top-end solutions across the world, raising the bar in storytelling by using the latest technology and creative capabilities. This investment will accelerate our plans to further drive The DNEG Group’s existing activities and enable the Group to expand its offering, both in terms of the services we provide and the markets we operate in. We are building on our success with the opening of a studio in Abu Dhabi, bringing content creation and technological capabilities to the region, positioning us as a leader there, and allowing us to leverage our global capabilities like no other.”
Prabhu Narasimhan, Executive Chairman of Brahma, commented, “Our aim is to enable every storyteller to translate their imagination to screen faster, cheaper, and better, by equipping them with Brahma, which we are developing to be the most comprehensive AI-driven photo-real CGI creator. In the coming months we will add to the leadership team of Brahma, fusing top technology and AI talent with visual effects creatives to make Brahma available to everyone with a story to tell.”
This investment marks a significant milestone for the DNEG Group as it continues to innovate and lead in the visual entertainment technology sector, expanding its global footprint and reinforcing its commitment to technological excellence and creative leadership.
