360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
With the Covid-19 crisis leading to event cancellations, travel bans and lockdowns around the world over the past few months, it is no surprise people have been looking for virtual experiences while staying at home.
One of the popular videos on virtual reality mobile app 360vuz – short for 360-degree "views" – recently has been footage of China, taken one week before coronavirus lockdown. Users can also 'travel' to Sao Paulo in Brazil, Tokyo, Dubai or even Mars.
"We have seen a huge increase in demand for travel experiences, basically because many people cannot travel right now," says Khaled Zaatarah, founder and chief executive of 360vuz.
Now, more than ever, people want to be virtually present in different experiences.
However, it isn’t just travel people are craving. The app, which offers live streams and recorded videos of events and experiences in everything from entertainment to sports, has seen its users grow threefold between mid-March and mid-April.
“Especially with the current situation with Covid-19, we believe that now, more than ever, people want to be virtually present in different experiences … so it’s the perfect time for us to come in and support these different industries,” Mr Zaatarah says.
Although some restrictions and curfews are slowly being lifted in countries worldwide, 360vuz gives a glimpse of the near future where sports events are held without fans, celebrity classes are available online and “backstage passes” take on a different meaning.
Founded in January 2017, the start-up removes the constraints of “time, travel and access”, says Mr Zaatarah.
Even before the current crisis, 360vuz recorded a year-on-year increase of over 570 per cent in users in 2019.
It also recently raised $5.8 million (Dh21.3m) in a series A round to further develop its technology and scale the business, taking total funding to $7m.
With headquarters in Dubai, and offices in Los Angeles and Riyadh, 360vuz is looking to expand to Asia this year.
Investors include Abu Dhabi's Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, Silicon Valley's 500Startups, Plug and Play, Careem co-founder Magnus Olsson, Jabbar Internet Group chief executive Samih Toukan and former Facebook regional managing director Jonathan Labin.
“We believe the media and entertainment sector is bound for innovation as consumer behaviour shifts to on-demand services with strong appetite for more immersive experiences,” says Shane Shin, founding managing partner of lead investor Shorooq Partners.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are expected to contribute $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030, according to PwC.
Platforms that broadcast live events in virtual reality include California-based NextVR, founded in 2009 and reportedly acquired by Apple for $100m last month. Others include Wave (formerly TheWaveVR) and MelodyVR, which focus on music concerts.
Users can experience events either through their mobiles or with VR headsets through Oculus, a pioneer in the VR space that was bought by Facebook for $2.3bn in 2014.
360vuz also has the option of use with a VR headset for the full experience or directly from their smartphone to "have a bigger target audience", says Mr Zaatarah.
Some of the content is free, such as the travel videos and "anything that is open to the public", Mr Zaatarah says, but there is a membership charge for "anything that is either very hard to access or ticketed".
Vuz Plus, which also includes the benefit of no ads, is $8.4 per month, $24 for three months and $60 on a yearly basis.
The app currently has over 4 million users, 20 per cent of which are paid subscribers. "Currently most of them are from Saudi Arabia and then a big portion from UAE and next from US," Mr Zaatarah says. "[Recently] we've seen a big uplift from Asia, specifically from China."
Possible destinations for Asia expansion this year include China, due to its huge population and technological innovations, or South Korea, home of the globally popular musical genre K-Pop, says Mr Zaatarah.
Of the start-up's 21 employees, 70 per cent are based in Dubai. However, 360vuz also hires "teleporters" who cover live events, most of whom are in LA as an entertainment capital.
Among the events featured with "exclusive" access are the Oscars, the Emmy Awards and LA Fashion Week. Regional content includes Middle East Film & Comic Con, the Dubai Jazz Festival and Riyadh Season.
The app also offers celebrity interviews, masterclasses and behind-the-scenes footage.
"You feel that you're virtually present with our immersive video technology. You're the director of the show," says Mr Zaatarah. "You see the full authenticity of the location or the experience or the event."
In the current environment, 360vuz is evaluating how to adapt as events with large audiences are postponed or cancelled, such as National Basketball Association games, the Premier League and the Tokyo Olympics.
"Some sports events, for example, will continue but without an audience, so we would help in bringing a virtual audience digitally," he says. "It's the time for us to now step in and to innovate more and to give users more of what they want to see."
Q&A: Khaled Zaatarah, 360vuz founder and chief executive
What company do you wish you had started?
Probably Facebook. Facebook has been able to connect the world … and this is what we want to try to achieve as well. And also Snapchat. Both have done something to make people feel closer to each other and feel that they’re together in some way.
What have you learnt in the process of launching your start-up?
The number one thing is never lose hope, always believe in yourself and your idea. Keep on striving, keep on innovating. You’ll find so many people and hurdles you’ll face in your way, and if you don’t have that passion, you might give up. What’s important as well is to find the right people to keep on supporting you.
What’s your next big dream to make happen?
To really help people in underdeveloped markets have a better life and have a better experience, either with communication or learning. It’s very hard to open so many schools in underdeveloped markets, but maybe you can open virtual schools. This is what my next dream would be: how can I help children in underdeveloped markets virtually learn? We are a technology company and the 360vuz app as a product can have multiple verticals added to it.
What would be a big milestone for 360vuz?
A big milestone is for us to be able to really expand into the Asian market, US market and European market to another level. And to have over 50 million users using our platform in the next couple of years.
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
3%20Body%20Problem
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LEADERBOARD
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The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%E2%80%98White%20Elephant%E2%80%99
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Pathaan
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LIKELY TEAMS
South Africa
Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi.
India (from)
Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wkt), Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Company%C2%A0profile
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The years Ramadan fell in May
WORLD CUP FINAL
England v South Africa
Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)
NEW%20PRICING%20SCHEME%20FOR%20APPLE%20MUSIC%2C%20TV%2B%20AND%20ONE
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Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
