SpeakUp reaches final episode of The Final Pitch Dubai on OSN, signs live on-air investment agreement

Technology

SpeakUp reaches final episode of The Final Pitch Dubai on OSN, signs live on-air investment agreement

SpeakUp, an AI-powered speaker and talent-matching platform launched in Dubai in April 2025, delivered one of the standout moments of OSN’s The Final Pitch Dubai after becoming the only startup this season to sign an investment agreement live on air.

During the final episode, which aired on December 15, an investor–judge presented the SpeakUp founders with a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) investment offer during the broadcast, marking a first for the season. Following the pitch, several judges commented on the platform’s potential to scale into a unicorn, citing strong adoption metrics, market size, and scalability.

SpeakUp aims to address a long-standing operational challenge within the events and media industries: the lack of a unified platform for sourcing, managing, and booking speakers and digital talent. Traditionally reliant on fragmented tools such as WhatsApp groups and manual coordination, organisers using SpeakUp can manage the entire process through a single AI-driven workflow.

Through the platform, organisers can publish speaker requests or events, receive applications with one-click responses, communicate directly through in-app messaging, and complete bookings via an integrated calendar system. This streamlined approach enables faster decision-making and reduces administrative complexity for both organisers and speakers.

Beyond talent matching, SpeakUp has developed a Growth Marketplace offering discounted access to verified service providers, including podcast studios, conference venues, photographers, videographers, editors, and public relations services. This positions the platform as a comprehensive operational ecosystem for event production, media, and digital content teams across the MENA region.

Since filming concluded in May 2025, SpeakUp has experienced rapid growth and expansion. Following the show, the startup secured additional backing from a Dubai-based venture fund through direct negotiations. The platform has now surpassed 60,000 downloads, 41,000 registered users, and more than 1,300 completed speaker bookings across over 30 countries.

According to leading investors in the UAE and the UK, SpeakUp is currently valued between USD 50 million and USD 60 million, driven by its adoption trajectory, market relevance, and expanding regional and international footprint.

As an emerging AI-driven talent infrastructure platform for the MENA region, SpeakUp continues to position itself at the forefront of event technology innovation, with ambitions to further scale its impact across global digital and media ecosystems.