The United Al Saqer Group’s fund infusion accelerates company’s diversification from service provider to content production and AI-powered technology partner, bolstering expansion of Prime Focus Studios’ content creation efforts, start of new tech division Brahma, and launch of visual experience hub in Abu Dhabi.
Leading VFX and Animation studio DNEG Group is receiving a $200 million investment from United Al Saqer Group (UASG) that help the company diversify and accelerate its evolution from a service company to a content production and AI-powered technology partner, providing solutions across media, entertainment, and gaming.
“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,” said DNEG CEO Namit Malhotra. “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.”
According to DNEG, the investment will support new opportunities in three key areas:
- Investment in Prime Focus Studios to bolster new content development.
- The activation of new technology division, Brahma, which is developing a comprehensive AI-powered, photoreal CGI creator for the industry.
- The opening of a new visual experience hub in Abu Dhabi, with plans to develop a regional ecosystem for content production, storage, and distribution.
As part of the deal, UASG CEO Nabil Kobeissi, Edouard Zard, and NaMa Capital’s Prabhu Narasimhan join DNEG Group’s board of directors. Narasimhan also serves as Brahma's executive chairman.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Namit, Prabhu, and the DNEG Group,” added Kobeissi. “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.”
The DNEG Group consists of:
- DNEG – Academy Award-winning visual effects, animation, and associated creative services, including ReDefine.
- Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) – cloud-based software and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
- Prime Focus Studios – content and IP investment and development across live-action, animation, and gaming.
- Brahma – developing an AI-powered, photo-real CGI creator.
Source: DNEG
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
