From $500 to 2,500 Shows: Anthony Abou Antoun's Mission to Redefine Entertainment in the Middle East

Anthony Abou Antoun — Founder, Artists and More Entertainment

At 19, Anthony Abou Antoun started with just $500 and a big idea. A decade later, he's running the Middle East's only ISO-certified entertainment production house, crafting world-class shows and leading a $20M cultural revival.

Can you share a brief note about yourself?

I'm Anthony Abou Antoun, a 29-year-old entrepreneur from Lebanon and the founder of Artists and More Entertainment, a company I launched when I was just 19 years old with $500 and a vision to change the face of live entertainment in the region.

Today, Artists and More is the Middle East's only ISO-certified entertainment production house, responsible for over 2,500 shows across 20+ countries. We've created world-class productions like Christmas on Ice, shows for the F1 Jeddah entertainment zone, FIFA World Cup activations, and large-scale arena shows in collaboration with international artists and brands. We're also spearheading Lebanon 2030 Experience, a $20 million entertainment initiative to revive and elevate the country's cultural landscape.

On a personal note, entrepreneurship runs in the family—my mother owns and runs Crazy Events, a legacy company in the local entertainment industry, and she's been a key influence in shaping my business instincts from an early age.

Why did you choose to start a business?

It wasn't a calculated decision—it was a calling. I saw a gap in the region for high-quality, original productions that could rival global standards. Most events in the Middle East at the time were either imported concepts or repetitive formats. I wanted to create original experiences that told stories, brought emotion, and elevated the entire entertainment ecosystem.