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
