DUBAI: Semafor today announced an expansion of its Gulf edition, moving to a daily publishing schedule on weekdays and growing its newsroom and commercial team, ramping up growth efforts amid the Iran conflict.
The move builds on an expansion plan first announced in January 2026, following Semafor’s first year of profitability, in which it generated $2 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, on revenue of $40 million. It also closed $30 million in new financing, which it said would be used to grow its editorial operations and live events business.
“When we launched our global editorial expansion in January 2026, we knew the Gulf would be a key pillar of that effort,” said Justin B. Smith, co-founder and CEO of Semafor.
“Now, we’re accelerating our planned investment through a slate of new hires, editorial offerings, and expanded newsroom and business operations that will cement Semafor as the leading global independent news organization in the region,” he told Arab News.
The editorial team has grown from eight journalists in January to 11 now, with plans to add a journalist in Washington, D.C. and an editor in London. Smith said Semafor is also opening new reporter positions in Qatar and “doubling down” on hiring in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
