Yahoo Maktoob: Difference between revisions

Yahoo! Maktoob
Company type	Private company
Industry	Internet services
Founded	1998
Defunct	31 January 2023
Headquarters	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Key people	Ahmed Nassef, MD/VP, Yahoo! Middle East
Website	www.maktoob.com

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Yahoo! Maktoob (Arabic: مكتوب) was an online services company founded in Amman (Jordan). Maktoob.com was known as the first Arabic–English email service provider.^[1] In 2009, Yahoo! acquired Maktoob.com, making it Yahoo!'s official arm in the MENA region.^[2] As of 31 January 2023, Yahoo! Maktoob has been shut down; and therefore no longer publishes content.^{[citation needed]}

History

Early days

Maktoob was founded in 1999 by Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury, offering a webmail service featuring Arabic language support—a unique feature at the time when other free email services lacked such capability.^[3] They facilitated users without Arabic keyboards or browsers supporting Arabic script to send and receive emails by implementing a virtual keyboard using Java applets. ^{[citation needed]}

Abraaj Capital acquisition

In June 2005, the UAE-based private equity house Abraaj Capital purchased 40% of the company shares in a $5 million deal.^[4] The rationale for such an acquisition (according to Abraaj's website^{[citation needed]}) was that Maktoob has a large user base (claimed to be more than 4 million) and, according to marketing literature, "a dominant online payment option cashU and a strong brand name. It has established the first Arab online auction site Souq.com which will benefit from leveraging the large community network."^{[citation needed]}

In April 2006, Maktoob acquired 80% of the popular Arab sports website Sport4ever.com.^[5]

In December 2007, Abraaj sold its share to Tiger Global Management with an internal rate of return of 75%.^[6]^[7]

Yahoo!

In 2009, Maktoob was sold to Yahoo! for $164 million.^[8] In January 2011, email users were migrated from the @maktoob.com domain to the @yahoo.com domain.^[9]

In October 2014, Yahoo! announced its intention to let go half of its staff in Dubai, some immediately, others three months later. And it announced in December 2015 the closure of its office in Dubai, its last office in the MENA region.^[10] The move was an attempt to "streamline" Yahoo's international operations.^[11]

The Yahoo! acquisition of Maktoob remains one of the biggest acquisitions in the region. Yahoo!'s money made it possible for Souq.com to develop and reach a $1 billion valuation.^[12]

Activity

Yahoo! Maktoob provides the following online services: News (Yahoo! Maktoob News), sports news (Yahoo! Maktoob Sport), a blogging platform (Yahoo! Maktoob Blog), a social network (Yahoo! Maktoob As7ab Maktoob), a bilingual online research community (Yahoo! Maktoob Research), a marriage portal (Yahoo! Maktoob Bentelhalal), a travel portal (Yahoo! Maktoob Travel) and a casual gaming platform (Yahoo! Maktoob Games).^{[citation needed]}

References

^ Patrick Clark (30 April 2013). "Syria's Tech Startups Find a Refuge in Jordan". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
^ "Confirmed: Yahoo Acquires Arab Internet Portal Maktoob". TechCrunch. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
^ "The story of Yahoo's acquisition of Maktoob [Case Study]". Wamda.com. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
^ "Maktoob.com sells 40% stake to Abraaj Capital". Arabian Business. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
^ "Maktoob.com picks up majority stakes in popular arab sports website". 24 April 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
^ Albawaba.com Archived 2008-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Abraaj Capital sells stake in Maktoob.com". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
^ Jeffrey Ghannam (3 February 2011). "Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011" (PDF). The Center for International Media Assistance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
^ Ben Flanagan (14 January 2011). "Thousands hit by Yahoo Maktoob change to e-mail". Thenational.ae. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
^ Neil Halligan (16 December 2015). "Yahoo to close last Middle East office in Dubai". Arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
^ Dickinson, Eleanor (2015-12-15). "Yahoo Middle East to close Dubai office in bid to 'streamline' operations". Gulf Business. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
^ Samih Toukan (23 December 2015). "Yahoo! closes but Maktoob's legacy continues". Wamda.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

[1] Patrick Clark (30 April 2013). "Syria's Tech Startups Find a Refuge in Jordan". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

[2] "Confirmed: Yahoo Acquires Arab Internet Portal Maktoob". TechCrunch. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 2022-06-23.

[3] "The story of Yahoo's acquisition of Maktoob [Case Study]". Wamda.com. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

[4] "Maktoob.com sells 40% stake to Abraaj Capital". Arabian Business. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2022.

[5] "Maktoob.com picks up majority stakes in popular arab sports website". 24 April 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

[6] Albawaba.com Archived 2008-01-03 at the Wayback Machine

[7] "Abraaj Capital sells stake in Maktoob.com". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2022-06-23.

[8] Jeffrey Ghannam (3 February 2011). "Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011" (PDF). The Center for International Media Assistance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.

[9] Ben Flanagan (14 January 2011). "Thousands hit by Yahoo Maktoob change to e-mail". Thenational.ae. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

[10] Neil Halligan (16 December 2015). "Yahoo to close last Middle East office in Dubai". Arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

[11] Dickinson, Eleanor (2015-12-15). "Yahoo Middle East to close Dubai office in bid to 'streamline' operations". Gulf Business. Retrieved 2022-06-23.

[12] Samih Toukan (23 December 2015). "Yahoo! closes but Maktoob's legacy continues". Wamda.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Email service provider in Middle East and North Africa}}
 {{Infobox company
-| name           = Maktoob
+| name = Yahoo! Maktoob
-| logo           = Yahoo! Maktoob (2009-2013).jpg
+| logo = Yahoo! Maktoob (2009-2013).jpg
-| type           = [[Private company]]
+| type = [[Private company]]
 | company_slogan =
-| foundation     = 1998
+| foundation = 1998
-| defunct = {{End date|2023|1|31}}
+| defunct = {{End date|2023|1|31|df=y}}
-| location       = [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]]
+| location = [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]]
-| industry       = Internet services
+| industry = Internet services
-| key_people     = Ahmed Nassef, MD/VP, Yahoo! Middle East
+| key_people = Ahmed Nassef, MD/VP, Yahoo! Middle East
-| products       =
+| products =
-| homepage       = [http://www.maktoob.com/ www.maktoob.com]
+| homepage = [http://www.maktoob.com/ www.maktoob.com]
 }}
+'''Yahoo! Maktoob''' ({{langx|ar|مكتوب}}) was an online services company founded in [[Amman]] ([[Jordan]]). Maktoob.com was known as the first Arabic{{En dash}}English [[email]] service provider.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-04-29/syrias-tech-startups-find-a-refuge-in-jordan |title=Syria's Tech Startups Find a Refuge in Jordan |website=Bloomberg.com |date=30 April 2013 |author=Patrick Clark |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> In 2009, [[Yahoo!]] acquired Maktoob.com, making it Yahoo!'s official arm in the [[Middle East and North Africa|MENA]] region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Confirmed: Yahoo Acquires Arab Internet Portal Maktoob |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/08/25/confirmed-yahoo-acquires-arab-internet-portal-maktoob/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=TechCrunch |date=25 August 2009 |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 31 January 2023, Yahoo! Maktoob has been shut down; and therefore no longer publishes content.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
+== History ==
-'''Maktoob''' ({{lang-ar|مكتوب}}) was an online services company founded in [[Amman]] ([[Jordan]]). Maktoob.com was known for being the first Arabic{{En dash}}English [[email]] service provider.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-04-29/syrias-tech-startups-find-a-refuge-in-jordan |title=Syria's Tech Startups Find a Refuge in Jordan |website=Bloomberg.com |date=30 April 2013 |author=Patrick Clark |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> In 2009, [[Yahoo!]] acquired Maktoob.com, making it Yahoo!'s official arm in the [[MENA]] region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Confirmed: Yahoo Acquires Arab Internet Portal Maktoob |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2009/08/25/confirmed-yahoo-acquires-arab-internet-portal-maktoob/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=TechCrunch |date=25 August 2009 |language=en-US}}</ref> As of January 31, 2023, Yahoo! Maktoob has been shut down; and therefore no longer publishes content.
-==History==
 {{Advertisment|date=July 2022}}
-===Early days===
+=== Early days ===
-Maktoob was founded in 1999 by Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury who were able to introduce a [[webmail]] service with Arabic support for emails when no other free email service had such support.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wamda.com/2013/10/case-study-yahoo-acquisition-maktoob |title=The story of Yahoo's acquisition of Maktoob [Case Study] |website=Wamda.com |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> They also helped users who did not have [[Arabic keyboard]]s or browsers that support Arabic to send and receive emails by using a [[virtual keyboard]] which was done in [[Java (programming language)|Java]] and using [[Java applet]]s that had better Arabic support.
+Maktoob was founded in 1999 by Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury, offering a [[webmail]] service featuring Arabic language support—a unique feature at the time when other free email services lacked such capability.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wamda.com/2013/10/case-study-yahoo-acquisition-maktoob |title=The story of Yahoo's acquisition of Maktoob [Case Study] |website=Wamda.com |date=13 October 2013 |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> They facilitated users without [[Arabic keyboard]]s or browsers supporting Arabic script to send and receive emails by implementing a [[virtual keyboard]] using [[Java applet]]s. {{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
-The initial flourish of Maktoob and its large user base led the company to create several services and content channels for Arab users, many of which were not found previously in Arabic format. Chatting, Greeting Cards, and simple content channels were the first to be developed internally. Since then, Maktoob diversified its services through both acquisitions and internal development to have close to 40 different channels and services.
-[[cashU Inc|CashU]] was founded to address the issue of electronic payments in the region, [[Souq.com]] as an auction and marketplace; Tahadi.com was founded to provide MMO/MMORPG games for Middle East internet users, Araby.com was an Arabic Search engine; Maktoob Research was a successful online research service founded by Tamara Deprez; and Sukar.com the first and biggest online private shopping club in the [[Middle East]], founded by [[Saygin Yalcin]].
-===Abraaj Capital acquisition===
+=== Abraaj Capital acquisition ===
-In June 2005, the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]-based private equity house [[Abraaj Capital]] purchased 40% of the company shares in a $5 million deal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2005 |title=Maktoob.com sells 40% stake to Abraaj Capital |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/maktoob-com-sells-40-stake-abraaj-capital-211771 |access-date=23 June 2022 |website=Arabian Business}}</ref> The rationale for such an acquisition (according to Abraaj's website{{Citation needed|reason=Please provide a link to document this|date=July 2022}}) was that Maktoob has a large user base (claimed to be more than 4 million) and, according to marketing literature, "a dominant online payment option [[cashU Inc|cashU]] and a strong brand name. It has established the first Arab online auction site Souq.com which will benefit from leveraging the large community network."
+In June 2005, the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]-based private equity house [[The Abraaj Group|Abraaj Capital]] purchased 40% of the company shares in a $5 million deal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2005 |title=Maktoob.com sells 40% stake to Abraaj Capital |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/maktoob-com-sells-40-stake-abraaj-capital-211771 |access-date=23 June 2022 |website=Arabian Business}}</ref> The rationale for such an acquisition (according to Abraaj's website{{Citation needed|reason=Please provide a link to document this|date=July 2022}}) was that Maktoob has a large user base (claimed to be more than 4 million) and, according to marketing literature, "a dominant online payment option [[CashU|cashU]] and a strong brand name. It has established the first Arab online auction site Souq.com which will benefit from leveraging the large community network."{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
-In April 2006, Maktoob acquired 80% of popular Arab sports website Sport4ever.com.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.albawaba.com/news/maktoobcom-picks-majority-stake-popular-arab-sports-website |title = Maktoob.com picks up majority stakes in popular arab sports website|date = 24 April 2006|access-date = 17 March 2017}}</ref>
+In April 2006, Maktoob acquired 80% of the popular Arab sports website Sport4ever.com.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.albawaba.com/news/maktoobcom-picks-majority-stake-popular-arab-sports-website |title = Maktoob.com picks up majority stakes in popular arab sports website|date = 24 April 2006|access-date = 17 March 2017}}</ref>
 In December 2007, Abraaj sold its share to [[Tiger Global Management]] with an [[internal rate of return]] of 75%.<ref>[http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/220448 Albawaba.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103115355/http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/220448 |date=2008-01-03 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Abraaj Capital sells stake in Maktoob.com |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/abraaj-capital-sells-stake-in-maktoobcom-1.126909 |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
-===Yahoo!===
+=== Yahoo! ===
 In 2009, Maktoob was sold to Yahoo! for $164 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011 |url=http://www.hirondelle.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/SocialMediaintheArabWorldCIMA2011.pdf |work=The Center for International Media Assistance |access-date=25 September 2013 |author=Jeffrey Ghannam |date=3 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928203824/http://www.hirondelle.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/SocialMediaintheArabWorldCIMA2011.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> In January 2011, email users were migrated from the @maktoob.com domain to the @yahoo.com domain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/technology/thousands-hit-by-yahoo-maktoob-change-to-e-mail |title=Thousands hit by Yahoo Maktoob change to e-mail |website=Thenational.ae |date=14 January 2011 |author=Ben Flanagan |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
-In January 2015, Yahoo! let go half of its staff in Dubai, and it announced in December 2015 the closure of its office in Dubai, its last office in the MENA region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/yahoo-close-last-middle-east-office-in-dubai-615619.html |title=Yahoo to close last Middle East office in Dubai |website=Arabianbusiness.com |date=16 December 2015 |author=Neil Halligan |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> The move was an attempt to "streamline" Yahoo's international operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Eleanor |date=2015-12-15 |title=Yahoo Middle East to close Dubai office in bid to 'streamline' operations |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/yahoo-middle-east-close-dubai-office-bid-streamline-operations/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=Gulf Business |language=en-US}}</ref>
+In October 2014, Yahoo! announced its intention to let go half of its staff in Dubai, some immediately, others three months later. And it announced in December 2015 the closure of its office in Dubai, its last office in the MENA region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/yahoo-close-last-middle-east-office-in-dubai-615619.html |title=Yahoo to close last Middle East office in Dubai |website=Arabianbusiness.com |date=16 December 2015 |author=Neil Halligan |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> The move was an attempt to "streamline" Yahoo's international operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dickinson |first=Eleanor |date=2015-12-15 |title=Yahoo Middle East to close Dubai office in bid to 'streamline' operations |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/yahoo-middle-east-close-dubai-office-bid-streamline-operations/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=Gulf Business |language=en-US}}</ref>
-The Yahoo! acquisition of Maktoob remains one of the biggest acquisitions in the region, and a success story for other entrepreneurs. Yahoo!'s money made it possible for Souq.com to develop and reach a $1 billion valuation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wamda.com/2015/12/yahoo-closes-but-maktoobs-legacy-continues |title=Yahoo! closes but Maktoob's legacy continues |website=Wamda.com |date=23 December 2015 |author=Samih Toukan |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
+The Yahoo! acquisition of Maktoob remains one of the biggest acquisitions in the region. Yahoo!'s money made it possible for Souq.com to develop and reach a $1 billion valuation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wamda.com/2015/12/yahoo-closes-but-maktoobs-legacy-continues |title=Yahoo! closes but Maktoob's legacy continues |website=Wamda.com |date=23 December 2015 |author=Samih Toukan |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref>
-==Activity==
+== Activity ==
-Yahoo! Maktoob provides the following online services: News (''Yahoo! Maktoob News''), sports news (''Yahoo! Maktoob Sport''), a blogging platform (''Yahoo! Maktoob Blog''), a social network (''Yahoo! Maktoob As7ab Maktoob''), a bilingual online research community (''Yahoo! Maktoob Research''), a marriage portal (''Yahoo! Maktoob Bentelhalal''), a travel portal (''Yahoo! Maktoob Travel'') and a casual gaming platform (''Yahoo! Maktoob Games'').
+Yahoo! Maktoob provides the following online services: News (''Yahoo! Maktoob News''), sports news (''Yahoo! Maktoob Sport''), a blogging platform (''Yahoo! Maktoob Blog''), a social network (''Yahoo! Maktoob As7ab Maktoob''), a bilingual online research community (''Yahoo! Maktoob Research''), a marriage portal (''Yahoo! Maktoob Bentelhalal''), a travel portal (''Yahoo! Maktoob Travel'') and a casual gaming platform (''Yahoo! Maktoob Games'').{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
-==References==
+== References ==
-{{Reflist}}
+{{reflist}}
 {{Yahoo! Inc.}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Maktoob}}
+[[Category:Maktoob]]
-[[Category:Maktoob| ]]
 [[Category:1998 establishments in Jordan]]
 [[Category:Internet properties established in 1998]]
@@ Line 57: / Line 51: @@
 [[Category:Internet service providers]]
 [[Category:Defunct internet search engines]]
+[[Category:Discontinued Yahoo! services]]
 [[Category:Yahoo! international]]
 [[Category:Companies based in Dubai]]

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