Jan 20, 2026
Gushcloud International Takes Majority Stake in TalentPlus Dubai
Gushcloud International has completed a majority stake in TalentPlus Dubai, a UAE-based talent management and influencer marketing firm, following an initial minority investment made 15 months prior. The deal marks our portfolio company’s expansion into the MENA region.
As part of the transaction, TalentPlus will rebrand as Gushcloud TalentPlus, focused on managing MENA creators for global representation and on representing and monetizing international creators and intellectual property in the region. Michel Chahda continues as CEO of Gushcloud TalentPlus and has been appointed Partner of Gushcloud International. Gay Carr, Chief of Staff at Gushcloud International, has relocated to the UAE to co-lead the unit and support broader strategic initiatives, including oversight of Gushcloud’s multi-year collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
The acquisition is anchored in a sizeable market opportunity: digital content is expected to account for 46% of the projected $22 billion in MENA media spending by 2024, and internet users in the region maintain an average of 8.4 social media accounts and spend an average of three and a half hours a day on social media. The expanded entity aims to help creators and brands scale across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States by integrating local expertise with Gushcloud’s global network and data and AI-driven platforms.
We’re pleased to see Gushcloud consolidate this relationship into majority control after first proving it through a minority investment, and we look forward to the team’s continued buildout in MENA, including the regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi.