Dubai-based Rising Giants Network (RGN), a bilingual podcasting network, has secured a $1 million investment deal, led by Triangle Media, Barry Kirsch Productions and angel investor Said Al Sayyed.

The company was founded in early 2020 by Basel Anabtawi, podcaster and host of the ‘Basel Meets’ podcast, Barry Kirsch and Bashar Najjar. It scripts, produces and builds audio experiences in Arabic and English.

RGN quickly topped the charts in various categories short after its launch, as it offered a number of Arabic shows including Amalikat Al Tareek (Road Giants) with F1 host Firas Al Nimri, Sehtak Aham (Better Health) with fitness influencer Baraa Al Sabbagh and Rihlat Al Mosara’a (Wrestling Ride) with wrestling commentators Faisal Al Meghaisib and Yusef Callaway, in addition to English show Legendary Rock Stories.

Basel Anabtawi, CEO of RGN, said: “The global podcasting industry has recently witnessed significant milestones with Amazon acquiring podcasting giant Wondery for $300 million, and Spotify licensing The Joe Rogan Experience exclusively for $100 million. There is an engaged audience of nearly seven million people who are looking for top-notch shows to get into, and the time to invest in growing this base in the region is now.

“With this investment, RGN is well placed to be the leading audio story-telling company in the region. With a varied slate of shows in development, we’re confident that we can reach that goal and produce shows that will appeal to varied audience groups from all backgrounds,” he added.