A new investment platform dedicated to Arabic music catalogs and entertainment intellectual property has launched in the United Arab Emirates.
IPNation went live on Wednesday (August 12) with an initial commitment from Influence Media Partners, the New York-based rights company supported by strategic partnerships with funds and accounts managed by BlackRock.
IPNation has set a target investment size of USD $100 million.
The company says it will acquire, develop, and grow music and entertainment IP across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and describes itself as the first investment platform dedicated exclusively to Arabic music catalogs and entertainment IP.
It was founded by Eddy Maroun, co-founder of MENA streaming service Anghami, and Jose Maria Dot, former Chief Investment Officer of Abu Dhabi-listed Multiply Group, since renamed Two Point Zero Group following its merger with 2PointZero and Ghitha Holding.
Maroun is IPNation‘s Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer, while Dot is its CEO.
“For decades, Arabic music created massive cultural impact but very little long-term ownership value for the region itself,” said Maroun.
“IPNation changes that. We are not only acquiring catalogs; we are building a platform that transforms Arabic IP into global entertainment franchises across music, live experiences, storytelling, gaming, AI, and beyond.”
“We are not only acquiring catalogs; we are building a platform that transforms Arabic IP into global entertainment franchises across music, live experiences, storytelling, gaming, AI, and beyond.”
Eddy Maroun, IPNation
The size of Influence Media‘s initial commitment was not disclosed.
Headquartered in the UAE, IPNation will invest in music masters and publishing rights, artist brands, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and entertainment IP originating from the Arab world.
Beyond acquisitions, IPNation says it will develop that IP into “multi-format entertainment franchises” spanning immersive experiences, live shows, film, documentaries, merchandise, gaming, licensing, AI-powered derivatives, and fan engagement.
“Arabic music and entertainment IP represent one of the most undervalued cultural asset classes globally today,” said Dot.
“IPNation was created to institutionalize investment into iconic and predictable income-generating IP while generating upside through our IPNation Value Creation Playbook, bringing our music to larger audiences efficiently.
“We believe the Middle East is entering a new era where culture itself becomes a scalable financial asset.”
“We believe the Middle East is entering a new era where culture itself becomes a scalable financial asset.”
Jose Maria Dot, IPNation
Influence Media Partners was founded in 2019 and is led by Founder and Co-Managing Partner Lylette Pizarro McLean.
The company formed a USD $750 million fund with BlackRock Alternative Investors and Warner Music Group in 2022, and its portfolio spans rights from artists including DJ Khaled, Future, and Enrique Iglesias.
On July 29, Influence Media signed an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Anthem Entertainment for over USD $600 million, in collaboration with funds and accounts managed by affiliates of BlackRock.
“This partnership marks an important step in the evolution of Influence Media,” said Ram Kolluri, the company’s Head of Investments and Strategic Partnerships.
“We’ve long believed that premium music IP is a global asset class, and the Middle East represents one of the most exciting opportunities for long-term growth.
“IPNation combines deep regional expertise with a compelling vision for the future of Arabic music and entertainment IP. Together, we believe we can create lasting value for creators, rights holders, and audiences across the region and beyond.”
MENA recorded music revenues grew 15.2% YoY in 2025, making the region the joint second-fastest-growing globally alongside Sub-Saharan Africa, according to IFPI‘s Global Music Report 2026.
Streaming accounted for 97.5% of the region’s recorded music revenues last year, on IFPI‘s wholesale numbers.
IPNation says music catalogs have become “one of the world’s fastest-growing alternative asset classes,” while Arabic music and entertainment IP have remained “largely overlooked by institutional investors.”
Maroun co-founded Anghami in 2012 with Elie Habib and served as its CEO until the streaming service completed a merger with TV and film subscription service OSN+ in April 2024, when Habib took over as Anghami CEO.
Nasdaq-listed Anghami confirmed on June 30 that it had received a preliminary, non-binding proposal from controlling shareholder OSN Streaming Limited to take the company private at USD $3.39 in cash per share. OSN, which owns approximately 67% of the company, would acquire all shares it does not already hold. Anghami‘s board has formed a special committee of three independent directors to evaluate the proposal.
IPNation‘s claim to be the first platform of its kind rests on its structure as a dedicated investment vehicle. Reservoir Media and its Abu Dhabi-headquartered partner PopArabia have been acquiring Arabic music rights since forming a joint venture in 2020, but PopArabia is an operating rights company spanning publishing, label services, and distribution rather than a standalone acquisition fund.
In April, PopArabia acquired MENA label and distributor Viral Wave, taking the combined catalog it administers to close to 100,000 Arabic songs.
IPNation says it is evaluating acquisition opportunities spanning legacy music catalogs, publishing assets, artist estates, entertainment rights, and culturally significant IP across the MENA region.Music Business Worldwide
A new investment platform focused on Arabic music catalogs and entertainment intellectual property, named IPNation, has officially launched in the United Arab Emirates as of August 12. The platform has garnered an initial commitment from Influence Media Partners, a New York-based rights company, with financial backing from BlackRock’s managed funds. IPNation aims to raise a total investment of USD $100 million to acquire and grow music and entertainment intellectual property across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This initiative is being touted as the first of its kind to exclusively focus on Arabic music and entertainment IP.
The founders of IPNation are Eddy Maroun, who co-founded the MENA streaming service Anghami, and Jose Maria Dot, the former Chief Investment Officer of Multiply Group (now known as Two Point Zero Group). Maroun serves as the Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer, while Dot is the CEO of IPNation. Maroun emphasizes that while Arabic music has historically had a significant cultural impact, the region has seen little long-term ownership value from it. IPNation seeks to change that by not only acquiring music catalogs but also transforming Arabic intellectual property into global entertainment franchises that encompass music, live experiences, storytelling, gaming, and artificial intelligence.
Headquartered in the UAE, IPNation plans to invest in a wide range of assets, including music masters, publishing rights, artist brands, and entertainment IP from the Arab world. The platform aims to develop these assets into « multi-format entertainment franchises, » which could include immersive experiences, live performances, films, documentaries, merchandise, gaming, licensing opportunities, and AI-driven projects.
Jose Maria Dot notes that Arabic music and entertainment IP are currently undervalued on a global scale. He believes that IPNation was created to institutionalize investments in iconic and income-generating IP while maximizing their potential through a structured approach called the « IPNation Value Creation Playbook. » Dot envisions a future where culture in the Middle East can be transformed into a scalable financial asset.
Influence Media Partners, which was established in 2019, has a notable foundation and is co-managed by Lylette Pizarro McLean. The company has previously formed a USD $750 million fund in collaboration with BlackRock Alternative Investors and Warner Music Group. Its portfolio includes rights to music from notable artists like DJ Khaled, Future, and Enrique Iglesias. Recently, Influence Media signed an agreement to acquire most of the assets of Anthem Entertainment for over USD $600 million, further solidifying its position in the music IP space. Ram Kolluri, the Head of Investments and Strategic Partnerships at Influence Media, expressed that the partnership with IPNation represents an important evolution for the company and highlights the MENA region’s potential for long-term growth in the music industry.
According to the IFPI’s Global Music Report 2026, MENA recorded music revenues grew by 15.2% year-over-year in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing regions alongside Sub-Saharan Africa. Streaming has played a significant role, accounting for 97.5% of recorded music revenues in the region. IPNation asserts that music catalogs are becoming one of the fastest-growing alternative asset classes, yet Arabic music and entertainment IP remain largely overlooked by institutional investors.
Eddy Maroun, before co-founding IPNation, was instrumental in the establishment of Anghami in 2012 and served as its CEO until its merger with OSN+ in April 2024. This merger led to a proposal for Anghami to go private, which is currently under evaluation by its board of directors.
IPNation’s claim as a pioneering investment platform lies in its dedicated structure as an acquisition vehicle. While other companies like Reservoir Media and PopArabia have engaged in acquiring Arabic music rights, they operate as rights companies rather than standalone investment funds. PopArabia has made notable acquisitions, including the MENA label Viral Wave, which expanded its catalog to nearly 100,000 Arabic songs.
As IPNation evaluates various acquisition opportunities, it is focusing on legacy music catalogs, publishing assets, artist estates, and culturally significant IP throughout the MENA region. The launch of this platform marks a significant development in the Arabic music industry, reflecting a broader recognition of the potential economic value of cultural assets and the opportunities for growth in the region’s entertainment landscape. With the backing of established investment partners, IPNation aspires to elevate Arabic music and entertainment to a global level, creating sustainable value for creators, rights holders, and audiences alike.
