--- title: "About Us" date: 2024-07-24 author: "Raymond Yan" --- # About Us ## **Pioneering KSA Gaming Growth: The NEOM and DigiPen Partnership** [NEOM Gaming](https://www.neom.com/en-us/our-business/sectors/media/gaming) is at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry growth, positioning NEOM as a central player in this transformative journey. With a deep commitment to empowering startups, NEOM provides essential resources and mentorship, fostering a vibrant gaming ecosystem. The recent publishing deal with Fahy Studios marks a significant milestone for NEOM’s Level Up accelerator program, showcasing the high caliber of startups nurtured within its framework. This initiative generates employment, attracts top talent to NEOM, and drives regional gaming innovation. [NEOM](https://www.neom.com/en-us) is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built as a living laboratory – an accelerator of human progress. It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for livability, doing business and environmental conservation. As a future global hub, NEOM will include cognitive cities, ports, research centers and tourist destinations. [DigiPen Institute of Technology](https://www.digipen.edu/), founded in 1988, is a trailblazer in specialized education, offering degrees that blend the art, engineering, and design aspects of video games and interactive media. With campuses in the United States, Singapore, and Spain, DigiPen has cultivated a global reputation, with alumni contributing to major game studios and driving innovations in interactive technology. Aligned with NEOM Media Industries’ vision, DigiPen plays a key role in the Level Up Accelerator, bringing over three decades of experience in nurturing game development ecosystems. This partnership offers studios personalized mentorship and the essential time needed to mature, ensuring a vibrant and innovative gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond. ## NEOM Team ![toby (1)](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/toby-1.jpg)Toby Evan-Jones Founder of Level Up Accelerator Executive Director and Head of Gaming at NEOM. Previously VP and Head of Business Development at Codemasters (during its IPO and subsequent acquisition by Electronic Arts), where he built the business development function and closed 180+ commercial deals. ![hosam (1)](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/hosam-1.jpg)Hosam Makhdoom Senior Gaming Specialist Senior Specialist in Gaming Operations at NEOM, supporting the Level Up Accelerator and ecosystem programs (Game Dev Challenge and She Jams) across execution and partner attraction. ## Meet Our Mentors ![Raymond Yan](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Raymond-Yan.png) Raymond Yan Program Director Senior Executive Vice President of DigiPen Institute of Technology & a veteran in digital interactive technology since 1990. Instrumental in establishing Nintendo Software Technology. Notable for expanding DigiPen’s global footprint with campuses in Singapore and Spain, & since 2021, pivotal in developing Saudi Arabia’s game industry. ![David Clark](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/David-Clark.png) David Clark Business DevelopmenT Over 30 years in the video game industry, a respected video games industry veteran with board-level, marketing, sales and business development experience. Worked for leading publishers in the UK and the USA, was a founding director of Green Man Gaming & has successfully run his own industry consultancy business for some 15 years. ![Kristina Frolova](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kristina-Frolova.png) Kristina Frolova Marketing Managing Partner & CEO at Global Gaming Hub. Recognized for radical innovation in AI & ML. Supported numerous startups leading ventures to significant exits & unicorn-level successes. Her forte is strategic growth, game launches & global expansion ![Joseph Saade](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Joseph-Saade.png) Joseph Saade Production Management Operations Manager at DigiPen Institute of Technology, driving programs that empower Saudi game studios. With 19+ years in production, engineering, and entrepreneurship, he bridges education and industry to grow the local ecosystem. ![Nathan Mueller](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Nathan-Mueller.jpg) Nathan Mueller Software Engineering A seasoned programmer and educator with a BS in Real-Time Interactive Simulation from DigiPen, with over four years of experience at Hardsuit Labs, contributing to titles like Maneater and Fortnite, while guiding aspiring developers in programming and game design education. ![Shawn Pitman](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Shawn-Pitman.png) Shawn Pitman Game Design Led Game Design teams for over 20 years. As both a designer and a writer, he’s released multiple titles in many genres & platforms for studios big & small. ![Nusrat Shah](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Nusrat-Shah.png) Nusrat Shah Financial Management & Legal Chartered Certified Accountant since 2000 with over 20 years of global & C-level board experience. Experienced in a wide range of business functions, including operational, financial, HR, compliance, M&A, & change management. Ms. Shah’s illustrious career includes a decade as CFO/COO in the Mobile/Video games industry. ![Vincent Gossoub](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vincent-Gossoub.png) Vincent Ghossoub Business Development Dynamic Founder & CEO of Nifty Craft & the driving force behind Falafel Games as its former CEO & current chairman. Experience in raising funds & scaling gaming studios regionally. ![Christopher Mifsud](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Christopher-Mifsud.png) Christopher Mifsud Game Design Renowned leader in game design & development, is the CEO of Play On Words Studios & a consultant with Press Start Leadership. ![BioPic](https://neomlevelup.game/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/BioPic.jpg) David Longo Art Veteran Art Director with 20+ years shaping the visual identity of games across AAA and indie titles. Credits include the *F.E.A.R.* franchise, leadership at Monolith Productions and ArenaNet, and co-founding Blackpowder Games. Former DigiPen instructor in figure drawing and visual development. ## Hear from Our Mentors - > The gaming industry is one of immense potential but equally daunting challenges, particularly for indie studios. It is not enough to simply know how to make a good game; studios must also master the critical business skills necessary to build a sustainable company. Our program provides the hands-on mentorship, vital resources, and necessary funding to focus on creating compelling games while building a sustainable and successful studio in this We help the teams find the right partners and help them to articulate their vision demanding global landscape. Raymond Yan Program Director - > Through mentoring teams in best practices and innovative strategies, we empower them with the critical production and business skills needed for both immediate and long-term success as a game development studio, ensuring they thrive not only locally but also on a global scale. Christopher Mifsud Game Design - > The value of the program to the Studios is not just the sum of money, it’s the breath of resources and experience that they unlock to support their journey to becoming a sustainable business not just a game developer. Nusrat Shah Financial Management & Legal - > The mentors have enjoyed all the benefits that working in video games can deliver. The Level Up program allows us to share our experiences so that the next generation of talent can benefit and thrive. David Clark Business Development