Chronicled · No. 017
The Jordanian Engineer Who Built MENA's Compliance Layer Before Anyone Asked For It
Built MENA's crypto compliance layer before any regulator asked for it.
Read the story →Dubai of Tomorrow
The living record of Dubai's founders
Dubai of Tomorrow
Abdulla
Almoayed
Almoayed
He built MENA's first regulated open banking platform, licensed in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and headquartered in Dubai, then bought London payments firm Vyne to add account-to-account payments ahead of new UAE and Saudi rules.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 032
Tarabut
Founded2017 · Bahrain
Raised$57M total ($13M seed 2021, $12M pre-Series A 2021, $32M Series A 2023)
BackersPinnacle Capital, Aljazira Capital, Visa, Tiger Global
Moves
2019 · Launched Tarabut Gateway out of Bahrain as MENA's first regulated open banking platform
2021 · Raised $13M seed, then a $12M pre-Series A led by Tiger Global
2023 · Closed $32M Series A led by Pinnacle Capital, with Visa participating
2024 · Acquired London A2A payments platform Vyne with SAMA and FCA approval
2021 · Raised $13M seed, then a $12M pre-Series A led by Tiger Global
2023 · Closed $32M Series A led by Pinnacle Capital, with Visa participating
2024 · Acquired London A2A payments platform Vyne with SAMA and FCA approval
Dubai of Tomorrow
Magnus
Olsson
Olsson
A Swedish ex-McKinsey consultant, he co-founded Careem with Mudassir Sheikha, stayed through the Uber acquisition and the e& super app carve-out, and now leads the company's AI work.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 033
Careem
Founded2012 · Dubai
BackersRakuten, STV, Kingdom Holding, Daimler
Moves
2012 · Co-founded Careem in Dubai with fellow McKinsey alum Mudassir Sheikha
2019 · Uber agreed to buy Careem for $3.1B, the region's biggest tech deal
2023 · e& paid $400M for a 50.03% majority of the spun-out Careem Technologies
2026 · Uber bought back a 12.5% stake in Careem Technologies from e& for $100M
2019 · Uber agreed to buy Careem for $3.1B, the region's biggest tech deal
2023 · e& paid $400M for a 50.03% majority of the spun-out Careem Technologies
2026 · Uber bought back a 12.5% stake in Careem Technologies from e& for $100M
Dubai of Tomorrow
Vilhelm
Hedberg
Hedberg
He co-founded the Middle East's first carshare operator, which grew from pay-per-minute rentals in Dubai into subscription leasing and peer-to-peer sharing across the Gulf.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 034
ekar
Founded2016 · Dubai
Raised$17.5M Series B, 2019
BackersPolymath Ventures, Al Yemni Group, Audacia Capital
Moves
2016 · Co-founded ekar in Dubai as the Middle East's first carshare operator
2019 · Closed $17.5M Series B led by Polymath Ventures and launched in Riyadh
2022 · Launched contactless peer-to-peer carshare in Saudi Arabia
2024 · Stepped back from day-to-day leadership; now chairman of Lynx Holdings
2019 · Closed $17.5M Series B led by Polymath Ventures and launched in Riyadh
2022 · Launched contactless peer-to-peer carshare in Saudi Arabia
2024 · Stepped back from day-to-day leadership; now chairman of Lynx Holdings
Dubai of Tomorrow
Rami
Shaar
Shaar
A former Uber manager, he took Washmen from an asset-light laundry app to owning the full supply chain, including a 30,000 sq ft Jebel Ali facility, and reached profitability on only $11M raised.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 035
Washmen
Founded2015 · Dubai
Raised$6.2M Series B, 2019
BackersAddVenture, Henkel, Cedar Mundi Ventures, B&Y Partners
Moves
2015 · Founded Washmen in Dubai with Jad Halaoui out of Flat6Labs
2019 · Raised $6.2M Series B led by AddVenture, with Henkel as strategic investor
2023 · Declared first profitable year on roughly $3M EBITDA
2019 · Raised $6.2M Series B led by AddVenture, with Henkel as strategic investor
2023 · Declared first profitable year on roughly $3M EBITDA
Dubai of Tomorrow
Bassel
El
Koussa
El
Koussa
He shifted Quiqup's centre of gravity from London to Dubai and rebuilt it as an e-commerce fulfilment and same-day delivery network for GCC retailers.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 036
Quiqup
Founded2014 · London
Raised$5.5M, 2020
BackersDelivery Hero, Cedar Mundi, JOBI Capital, Transmed
Moves
2014 · Co-founded Quiqup in London as an on-demand delivery startup
2017 · Raised a 20M pound Series B and began Middle East expansion
2020 · Raised over $5.5M led by Delivery Hero and doubled down on the UAE
2025 · Launched fulfilment and delivery in Saudi Arabia, targeting profitability by Q4
2017 · Raised a 20M pound Series B and began Middle East expansion
2020 · Raised over $5.5M led by Delivery Hero and doubled down on the UAE
2025 · Launched fulfilment and delivery in Saudi Arabia, targeting profitability by Q4
Dubai of Tomorrow
Akshat
Prakash
Prakash
A former Apple Siri engineer, he builds voice-preserving AI dubbing that sports leagues and studios use to broadcast in more than 140 languages.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 037
Camb.ai
Founded2022 · Dubai
Raised$18.5M total
BackersCourtside Ventures, Comcast NBCU SportsTech, TRTL Ventures, DFDF
Moves
2022 · Founded in Dubai by father-son duo Avneesh and Akshat Prakash
2024 · Raised $4M seed led by Courtside Ventures; dubbed live MLS broadcasts
2025 · Closed $11M pre-Series A and became Ligue 1's official language partner via LFP Media
2025 · Opened Japan office to anchor APAC expansion
2024 · Raised $4M seed led by Courtside Ventures; dubbed live MLS broadcasts
2025 · Closed $11M pre-Series A and became Ligue 1's official language partner via LFP Media
2025 · Opened Japan office to anchor APAC expansion
Dubai of Tomorrow
Fodhil
Benturquia
Benturquia
Previously CEO of Noon, he wired doctor booking and telemedicine directly into hospital EHR systems rather than call centres.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 038
Okadoc
Founded2018 · Dubai
Raised$22M+ total
BackersADIO, Ithmar Capital Partners, IGan Partners, Bupa Arabia
Moves
2018 · Founded in Dubai after his run as CEO of Noon
2020 · Closed $10M Series A, then MENA's largest healthtech Series A
2021 · Bupa Arabia took an equity stake in a strategic partnership
2022 · Raised $10M pre-Series B first close led by IGan Partners
2020 · Closed $10M Series A, then MENA's largest healthtech Series A
2021 · Bupa Arabia took an equity stake in a strategic partnership
2022 · Raised $10M pre-Series B first close led by IGan Partners
Dubai of Tomorrow
Amira
Sajwani
Sajwani
She is betting Dubai property can trade like a liquid asset, from fractional blocks to government-registered tokenized title deeds.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 039
PRYPCO
Founded2022 · Dubai
RaisedPre-Series A, undisclosed, 2025
BackersGeneral Catalyst
Moves
2022 · Founded PRYPCO spanning fractional investment, mortgages and Golden Visa services
2025 · Launched PRYPCO Mint with the Dubai Land Department; pilot drew over AED 18.5M into tokenized title deeds
2025 · Closed pre-Series A led by General Catalyst, the firm's first Middle East investment
2026 · Opened a regulated secondary marketplace for tokenized property resale
2025 · Launched PRYPCO Mint with the Dubai Land Department; pilot drew over AED 18.5M into tokenized title deeds
2025 · Closed pre-Series A led by General Catalyst, the firm's first Middle East investment
2026 · Opened a regulated secondary marketplace for tokenized property resale
Dubai of Tomorrow
Philip
Bahoshy
Bahoshy
He turned a startup directory into the subscription data platform of record for venture capital across emerging markets.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 040
MAGNiTT
Founded2014 · Dubai
Raised$1M seed, 2018
Backers500 Startups, MEVP, KISP Ventures, iNet
Moves
2014 · Launched in Dubai as a platform connecting MENA startups with investors
2018 · Raised close to $1M seed led by 500 Startups and pivoted to subscription data
2025 · Tracked a record $1.2B quarter for MENA venture funding in Q3
2018 · Raised close to $1M seed led by 500 Startups and pivoted to subscription data
2025 · Tracked a record $1.2B quarter for MENA venture funding in Q3
Dubai of Tomorrow
Tariq
Sheikh
Sheikh
He built Postpay on interest-free instalments funded through bank debt from Commercial Bank of Dubai rather than repeated equity rounds.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 041
Postpay
Founded2019 · Dubai
Raised$10M equity, 2021
BackersAfterpay, AP Ventures, Commercial Bank of Dubai
Moves
2019 · Founded in Dubai; launched three-instalment interest-free checkout financing
2021 · Took $10M equity investment from Afterpay and AP Ventures
2022 · Signed debt financing deal with Commercial Bank of Dubai to fund GCC expansion
2021 · Took $10M equity investment from Afterpay and AP Ventures
2022 · Signed debt financing deal with Commercial Bank of Dubai to fund GCC expansion
Dubai of Tomorrow
Marwan
Hachem
Hachem
He co-founded YAP with Anas Zaidan as an independent neobank built on partner bank licences, starting with RAKBank in the UAE and extending the model toward Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Ghana.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 042
YAP
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$41M, 2022
BackersAljazira Capital, Abu Dawood Group, Astra Group, Audacia Capital
Moves
2021 · Launched UAE digital banking platform in partnership with RAKBank
2022 · Raised $41M led by Aljazira Capital to fund expansion into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Ghana
2024 · Reported to have laid off nearly all Pakistan staff, leaving its Pakistan expansion in doubt
2022 · Raised $41M led by Aljazira Capital to fund expansion into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Ghana
2024 · Reported to have laid off nearly all Pakistan staff, leaving its Pakistan expansion in doubt
Dubai of Tomorrow
Hasib
Khan
Khan
He introduced pay-per-minute car rental to the region with Udrive, betting that Gulf city residents will pay for cars by the trip instead of owning them.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 043
Udrive
Founded2016 · Dubai
Raised$5M, 2021
BackersCherif Sleiman, Asif Keshodia, Eureeca investors
Moves
2016 · Founded in Dubai as the region's first pay-per-minute car rental service
2021 · Closed $5M round after a pandemic slump, targeting fleet doubling
2022 · Expanded to Saudi Arabia with a Riyadh launch licensed by the Transport General Authority
2026 · Partnered with AGMC to add 100 MINI vehicles to its UAE fleet
2021 · Closed $5M round after a pandemic slump, targeting fleet doubling
2022 · Expanded to Saudi Arabia with a Riyadh launch licensed by the Transport General Authority
2026 · Partnered with AGMC to add 100 MINI vehicles to its UAE fleet
Dubai of Tomorrow
Zuhair
Shamma
Shamma
He co-founded Zest Equity to digitize private market transactions in MENA, building execution rails for secondaries and SPVs on deals under $100 million.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 044
Zest Equity
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$8.1M total ($3.8M seed 2023, $4.3M pre-Series A 2025)
BackersProsus Ventures, MEVP, Morgan Stanley ISV, DFDF
Moves
2021 · Founded in Dubai with Rawan Baddour as a marketplace for secondary trading of startup shares
2023 · Raised $3.8M seed led by MEVP with Dubai Future District Fund
2025 · Raised $4.3M pre-Series A led by Prosus Ventures with Morgan Stanley participation
2023 · Raised $3.8M seed led by MEVP with Dubai Future District Fund
2025 · Raised $4.3M pre-Series A led by Prosus Ventures with Morgan Stanley participation
Dubai of Tomorrow
Dina
Shoman
Shoman
An international banking veteran, she co-founded Verity as a DIFC-based family banking app that gives children aged 8 to 18 prepaid cards and chore-based allowances to build money skills.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 045
Verity
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$1.2M total ($800K pre-seed 2021, bridge round 2022)
BackersVentureSouq, Wamda Capital, Beyond Capital
Moves
2021 · Founded in May at DIFC with Omar Al Sharif and Kamal Al-Samarrai; closed $800K pre-seed
2022 · App and prepaid Visa cards for kids and teens went live in the UAE; bridge round lifted total raised to $1.2M
2022 · App and prepaid Visa cards for kids and teens went live in the UAE; bridge round lifted total raised to $1.2M
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mohamad
Ballout
Ballout
He runs kitchens as outsourced infrastructure, cooking and delivering for restaurant brands that want to expand without building their own sites.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 020
Kitopi
Founded2018 · Dubai
Raised$765M total ($715M Series C 2021-2022 incl. $300M extension, $50M growth round 2026)
BackersSoftBank Vision Fund 2, Chimera, DisruptAD, Nordstar
Moves
2018 · Founded in Dubai as a managed cloud kitchen platform
2021 · Raised $415M Series C led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, reaching unicorn status
2021 · Extended the Series C by $300M, lifting the round to $715M total and a $1.55B valuation
2026 · Raised $50M growth round led by EvolutionX after reaching profitability, with 200+ locations across five GCC markets
2021 · Raised $415M Series C led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, reaching unicorn status
2021 · Extended the Series C by $300M, lifting the round to $715M total and a $1.55B valuation
2026 · Raised $50M growth round led by EvolutionX after reaching profitability, with 200+ locations across five GCC markets
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mostafa
Kandil
Kandil
He listed a Cairo-born bus-booking platform on Nasdaq at a $1.5B valuation, then rebuilt it around B2B and government transport contracts to reach its first annual profit in 2025.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 021
Swvl
Founded2017 · Cairo
BackersBECO Capital, VNV Global, Queen's Gambit Growth Capital
Moves
2017 · Founded in Cairo as a bus-hailing service
2019 · Moved headquarters to Dubai
2022 · Listed on Nasdaq via SPAC merger with Queen's Gambit at a roughly $1.5B valuation
2026 · Reported first annual profit, $1.3M for 2025, while working to cure a Nasdaq delisting notice
2019 · Moved headquarters to Dubai
2022 · Listed on Nasdaq via SPAC merger with Queen's Gambit at a roughly $1.5B valuation
2026 · Reported first annual profit, $1.3M for 2025, while working to cure a Nasdaq delisting notice
Dubai of Tomorrow
Rita
Huang
Huang
She applied Chinese logistics methods to the Gulf's no-address problem, building a delivery network that carries Chinese e-commerce parcels into 30 countries.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 022
iMile
Founded2017 · Dubai
Raised$40M Series A, 2021
BackersByteDance, undisclosed investors
Moves
2017 · Founded in Dubai to carry Chinese e-commerce parcels into the Middle East
2021 · Raised $40M Series A at a $350M valuation
2024 · Shifted core resources to Mexico, lifting coverage past 95%
2025 · Network reached 30 countries with expansion into Europe and Australasia
2021 · Raised $40M Series A at a $350M valuation
2024 · Shifted core resources to Mexico, lifting coverage past 95%
2025 · Network reached 30 countries with expansion into Europe and Australasia
Dubai of Tomorrow
Faisal
Toukan
Toukan
He built consumer and small-business payments on one of the UAE central bank's first stored value licences, replacing IBAN transfers with phone-number payments.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 023
Ziina
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$29.5M total ($7.5M seed 2021, $22M Series A 2024)
BackersAltos Ventures, Y Combinator, Fintech Collective, Avenir Growth
Moves
2020 · Founded in Dubai by Faisal and Sarah Toukan
2021 · Completed Y Combinator and raised $7.5M seed
2024 · Raised $22M Series A led by Altos Ventures after securing a UAE stored value facility licence
2021 · Completed Y Combinator and raised $7.5M seed
2024 · Raised $22M Series A led by Altos Ventures after securing a UAE stored value facility licence
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mohammed
Ali
Yusuf
Ali
Yusuf
A former Checkout.com and Visa executive building regulated digital asset infrastructure that lets Gulf banks and fintechs offer crypto to their own customers instead of losing them to exchanges.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 024
Fuze
Founded2022 · Abu Dhabi
Raised$26.2M total ($14M seed 2023, $12.2M Series A 2025)
BackersFurther Ventures, Galaxy, e& capital, Liberty City Ventures
Moves
2022 · Founded in Abu Dhabi by Mo Ali Yusuf, Arpit Mehta and Srijan Shetty, joining the Hub71 tech ecosystem
2023 · Raised $14M seed led by Further Ventures; received VASP licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
2025 · Closed $12.2M Series A led by Galaxy and e& capital, taking total funding past $26M
2025 · Fined by VARA in August for AML shortcomings tied to historical transactions; remediation overseen by a VARA-appointed skilled person
2023 · Raised $14M seed led by Further Ventures; received VASP licence from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
2025 · Closed $12.2M Series A led by Galaxy and e& capital, taking total funding past $26M
2025 · Fined by VARA in August for AML shortcomings tied to historical transactions; remediation overseen by a VARA-appointed skilled person
Dubai of Tomorrow
Armin
Moradi
Moradi
He is betting Gulf companies will drop petty cash and shared cards for programmatically issued corporate cards, layered with a B2B loyalty programme that rewards business spending.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 025
Qashio
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$29.8M total, equity and debt ($10M seed 2022, $19.8M equity and debt round 2025)
BackersRocketship VC, MITAA, One Way Ventures, MoreThan Capital
Moves
2021 · Founded in Dubai by Armin Moradi and Jonathan Lau
2022 · Raised $10M seed round to fund expansion toward Saudi Arabia
2025 · Closed $19.8M equity and non-equity round led by Rocketship VC ahead of Saudi market entry
2026 · Partnered with Dubai Chambers on an AED 10M SME support programme
2022 · Raised $10M seed round to fund expansion toward Saudi Arabia
2025 · Closed $19.8M equity and non-equity round led by Rocketship VC ahead of Saudi market entry
2026 · Partnered with Dubai Chambers on an AED 10M SME support programme
Dubai of Tomorrow
Feras
Jalbout
Jalbout
A former Barclays and Standard Chartered banker betting first-time Gulf investors will start with commission-free fractional US stocks, a thesis that drew Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures into its first Middle East deal.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 026
baraka
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$24M total ($4M seed 2021, $20M Series A 2022)
BackersValar Ventures, Knollwood, Y Combinator
Moves
2020 · Founded in Dubai by Feras Jalbout after years in banking and a family office
2021 · Launched app with Y Combinator backing and a $4M seed round
2022 · Closed $20M Series A led by Valar Ventures, the firm's first regional investment
2021 · Launched app with Y Combinator backing and a $4M seed round
2022 · Closed $20M Series A led by Valar Ventures, the firm's first regional investment
Dubai of Tomorrow
Michael
Hunter
Hunter
With co-founder Arran Summerhill, he is turning the UAE mortgage, a bank-by-bank paper process, into a single digital comparison and application platform now heading into Saudi Arabia.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 027
Holo
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$22M Series A, 2025
BackersImpact46, Mubadala, Rua Growth Fund, Dubai Future District Fund
Moves
2020 · Founded in Dubai by Michael Hunter and Arran Summerhill
2024 · Raised pre-Series A funding to grow the platform and its Hub by Holo agent product
2025 · Closed $22M Series A led by Saudi Arabia's Impact46 with Mubadala, to fund Saudi expansion
2024 · Raised pre-Series A funding to grow the platform and its Hub by Holo agent product
2025 · Closed $22M Series A led by Saudi Arabia's Impact46 with Mubadala, to fund Saudi expansion
Dubai of Tomorrow
Omar
Abu
Innab
Abu
Innab
He pays UAE landlords a year of rent upfront while tenants pay monthly, replacing the country's post-dated cheque habit with an underwritten rent now pay later product.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 028
Keyper
Founded2022 · Dubai
Raised$21.5M total equity ($6.5M seed 2023, $4M equity 2024, $11M Series A 2026); $30M sukuk 2024, non-equity, excluded
BackersSpeedinvest, BECO Capital, MEVP, Franklin Templeton
Moves
2022 · Founded Keyper in Dubai with Walid Shihabi
2023 · Raised $6.5M seed to scale the rent now pay later platform
2024 · Raised $4M equity and $30M Shariah-compliant sukuk financing from Franklin Templeton
2026 · Closed $11M Series A led by Speedinvest, platform supports over 10,500 properties
2023 · Raised $6.5M seed to scale the rent now pay later platform
2024 · Raised $4M equity and $30M Shariah-compliant sukuk financing from Franklin Templeton
2026 · Closed $11M Series A led by Speedinvest, platform supports over 10,500 properties
Dubai of Tomorrow
Aahan
Bhojani
Bhojani
He runs an asset-light operating platform for short-term rentals in emerging markets, managing landlord units across the UAE and Saudi Arabia instead of owning inventory.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 029
Silkhaus
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$7.75M seed, 2022
BackersNuwa Capital, Nordstar, Global Founders Capital, VentureSouq
Moves
2021 · Founded Silkhaus in Dubai
2022 · Came out of stealth with $7.75M seed round
2024 · Raised pre-Series A financing from Partners for Growth
2025 · Closed seven-figure growth round led by Nuwa Capital and Oraseya Capital to expand in Saudi Arabia
2022 · Came out of stealth with $7.75M seed round
2024 · Raised pre-Series A financing from Partners for Growth
2025 · Closed seven-figure growth round led by Nuwa Capital and Oraseya Capital to expand in Saudi Arabia
Dubai of Tomorrow
Helal
Tariq
Lootah
Tariq
Lootah
With co-founder Alexandre Soued, he sells transaction data enrichment APIs that turn raw bank payment strings into categorized customer insights for MENA banks and fintechs.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 030
Lune
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$2.35M total ($850K pre-seed 2022, $1.5M seed 2024)
BackersDubai Future District Fund, Plus Venture Capital, Reach International, Judah Ventures
Moves
2020 · Founded Lune in Dubai with Alexandre Soued
2022 · Raised $850k pre-seed backed by Dubai Future District Fund and Flat6Labs
2024 · Closed $1.5M seed round led by Dubai Future District Fund
2022 · Raised $850k pre-seed backed by Dubai Future District Fund and Flat6Labs
2024 · Closed $1.5M seed round led by Dubai Future District Fund
Dubai of Tomorrow
Ambareen
Musa
Musa
She built one of the Gulf's earliest financial comparison platforms, sold a majority stake to SHUAA Capital in 2022, and now leads Revolut's GCC market entry.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 031
Souqalmal
Founded2012 · Dubai
Raised$10M Series B, 2017
BackersRiyad Taqnia Fund, GoCompare, UAE Exchange Group
Moves
2012 · Founded Souqalmal in Dubai
2017 · Raised $10M Series B led by Riyad Taqnia Fund with GoCompare and UAE Exchange
2022 · SHUAA Capital acquired a majority stake, platform later relaunched as Yabi
2024 · Departed Yabi and became CEO GCC at Revolut, leading its UAE launch
2017 · Raised $10M Series B led by Riyad Taqnia Fund with GoCompare and UAE Exchange
2022 · SHUAA Capital acquired a majority stake, platform later relaunched as Yabi
2024 · Departed Yabi and became CEO GCC at Revolut, leading its UAE launch
Dubai of Tomorrow
Ola
Doudin
Doudin
Built MENA's crypto compliance layer before any regulator asked for it.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 017
BitOasis
Founded2015 · Dubai
Raised$30M+ Series B, 2021
BackersWamda, Jump, Pantera, DCG
Moves
2015 · Launch, no framework exists
2023 · First VARA broker-dealer licence
2024 · Acquired by CoinDCX, leadership stays
2024 · Full VASP licence, December
2023 · First VARA broker-dealer licence
2024 · Acquired by CoinDCX, leadership stays
2024 · Full VASP licence, December
Dubai of Tomorrow
Parthi
Duraisamy
Duraisamy
Built the Gulf corporate card the global fintechs decided was too complex.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 018
Alaan
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$55M total, Series A 2025
BackersPeak XV Partners, 468 Capital, GFC, Presight, Y Combinator
Moves
2021 · Leave McKinsey, build local compliance first
2022 · $2.5M seed, emerge from stealth
2023 · Profitability at $10M ARR
2025 · $48M Series A, one of MENA's largest
2022 · $2.5M seed, emerge from stealth
2023 · Profitability at $10M ARR
2025 · $48M Series A, one of MENA's largest
Dubai of Tomorrow
Osama
Shawky
Shawky
The 30-to-365 night segment, finally with infrastructure.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 016
estaie
Founded2025 · Dubai
Raised7-figure pre-seed, 2026
BackersPlus VC, Orbit Ventures, Falak Angels
Moves
2025 · Co-founded for the extended-stay gap
2025 · 400 hotels, 1,000 holiday homes signed
2026 · Pre-seed closed, Plus VC and Orbit led
2025 · 400 hotels, 1,000 holiday homes signed
2026 · Pre-seed closed, Plus VC and Orbit led
Dubai of Tomorrow
Sanjar
Samiev
Samiev
Suppliers paid in 24 hours; Comfi absorbs the credit risk.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 015
Comfi
Founded2023 · Dubai
Raised$65M pre-Series A, 2026
BackersIliad Partners, Yango Ventures, Raw Ventures, Shorooq, Partners for Growth
Moves
2016 · Co-founded Wing.ae in Dubai
2017 · Wing.ae acquired by Souq
2023 · Founded Comfi
2026 · $65M pre-Series A, April
2017 · Wing.ae acquired by Souq
2023 · Founded Comfi
2026 · $65M pre-Series A, April
Dubai of Tomorrow
Michael
Lahyani
Lahyani
The operating system of Gulf real estate.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 013
Property Finder
Founded2007 · Dubai
Raised$170M round, 2026
BackersMubadala, a UAE sovereign wealth fund, BECO Capital
Moves
2005 · Left PwC Geneva for Dubai
2007 · Launched Property Finder platform
2026 · $170M raised, Mubadala led
2007 · Launched Property Finder platform
2026 · $170M raised, Mubadala led
Dubai of Tomorrow
Jad
Antoun
Antoun
Mortgage infrastructure Huspy says processes a quarter of Dubai's residential mortgages.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 012
Huspy
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$59M Series B, 2025
BackersBalderton Capital, Peak XV
Moves
2020 · Co-founded with Khalid Ashmawy
2024 · 20x growth in Spanish operations
2025 · $59M Series B, Balderton led
2024 · 20x growth in Spanish operations
2025 · $59M Series B, Balderton led
Dubai of Tomorrow
Chris
Hutchinson
Hutchinson
USDT on Bitcoin rails, instant and near-zero cost.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 011
Utexo
Founded2025
Raised$7.5M seed, 2026
BackersTether, Franklin Templeton, Fulgur Ventures
Moves
2025 · Founded to put USDT on Bitcoin rails
2026 · $7.5M seed, Tether led, March
2026 · $7.5M seed, Tether led, March
Dubai of Tomorrow
Hamza
Iraqui
Iraqui
Refurbished electronics with certified trust: inspection and warranty.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 010
Revibe
Founded2022 · Dubai
Raised$17M total
BackersPartech, E& Capital, Burda Principal
Moves
2022 · Launched in Dubai
$17M · Raised, November 2025
3 · Active markets
$17M · Raised, November 2025
3 · Active markets
Dubai of Tomorrow
Alexander
Epure
Epure
AI hiring that compresses enterprise recruiting to as little as six days.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 009
Qureos
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$8M total ($3M pre-seed 2022, $5M seed 2026)
BackersProsus Ventures, Salica Oryx Fund
Moves
2022 · $3M pre-seed, COTU and Colle Capital
2026 · $5M seed, Prosus Ventures and Salica Oryx Fund co-led
6 days · Fastest hiring timeline
2026 · $5M seed, Prosus Ventures and Salica Oryx Fund co-led
6 days · Fastest hiring timeline
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mudassir
Sheikha
Sheikha
The super-app that mapped a region the world had not.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 008
Careem
Founded2012 · Dubai
Moves
2012 · Founded corporate car service
2018 · Careem NOW food delivery launches
2020 · Acquired by Uber for $3.1B
2018 · Careem NOW food delivery launches
2020 · Acquired by Uber for $3.1B
Dubai of Tomorrow
Idriss
Al
Rifai,
Joy
Ajlouny
Al
Rifai,
Joy
Ajlouny
GPS-first delivery that replaced street addresses with phone pins.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 007
Fetchr
Founded2012 · Dubai
Raised~$77M total
BackersNew Enterprise Associates, BECO Capital
Moves
2012 · Built on the phone-as-address insight
$41M · 2017 Series B led by NEA
2021 · Ceased operations after insolvency
$41M · 2017 Series B led by NEA
2021 · Ceased operations after insolvency
Dubai of Tomorrow
Raouf
Khalil
Khalil
Acute care and chronic disease management delivered at home.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 006
TruDoc
Founded2011 · Dubai
Raised$15M pre-Series B, 2026
BackersAl Nahyan, Al-Ketbi, Pulsar Capital
Moves
2011 · Founded TruDoc 24x7
2017 · Johns Hopkins partnership, Hospital at Home
2026 · $15M pre-Series B announced
2017 · Johns Hopkins partnership, Hospital at Home
2026 · $15M pre-Series B announced
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mark
Chahwan
Chahwan
Robo-advisor opening retail investing with low-fee ETF portfolios.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 005
Sarwa
Founded2017 · Dubai
Raised$15M Series B, 2021 (reported $25M total)
Moves
2018 · Launched in DIFC under one of the DFSA's early Innovation Testing Licenses
2021 · $15M Series B led by Mubadala, taking reported total funding to $25M
2026 · A leading robo-advisor for UAE professionals
2021 · $15M Series B led by Mubadala, taking reported total funding to $25M
2026 · A leading robo-advisor for UAE professionals
Dubai of Tomorrow
Rami
Tabbara
Tabbara
Fractional real estate ownership from AED 500.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 004
Stake
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$31M Series B, 2026
BackersEmirates NBD, Mubadala, MEVP
Moves
2021 · Launched fractional ownership platform
2026 · $31M Series B, Emirates NBD led
2M+ · Users on the platform
2026 · $31M Series B, Emirates NBD led
2M+ · Users on the platform
Dubai of Tomorrow
Hisham
Al-Falih
Al-Falih
Open banking APIs connecting fintech to bank accounts across MENA.
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Dubai of TomorrowNo. 001
Lean Technologies
Founded2019 · Riyadh
Raised$100M+ total ($33M Series A 2022, $67.5M Series B 2024)
BackersGeneral Catalyst (Series B lead), Sequoia Capital India (Series A lead)
Moves
2019 · Founded in Riyadh by Al-Falih, Gupta and Sarkar
2022 · $33M Series A, backed by Sequoia Capital India
2024 · $67.5M Series B led by General Catalyst
2026 · SAMA open banking licence granted, March 2026
2022 · $33M Series A, backed by Sequoia Capital India
2024 · $67.5M Series B led by General Catalyst
2026 · SAMA open banking licence granted, March 2026
Founder of the Week
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No. 015 · Comfi
The Delivery Founder Who Sold to Souq and Set Out to Fix the Invoice
After co-building Wing.ae and selling it to Amazon's Souq in 2017, Sanjar Samiev had one unresolved question: why did every supplier in that network spend months waiting to collect what they were already owed.
No. 013 · Property Finder
The Swiss Outsider Who Built the Gulf's Real Estate Operating System
Michael Lahyani left a consulting career in Geneva because he saw something nobody in Dubai's property market wanted to admit: the entire industry was flying blind.
No. 012 · Huspy
The Man Who Became Dubai's Mortgage
Jad Antoun didn't set out to fix real estate. He set out to fix the moment everyone almost walks away from it. The mortgage.
No. 011 · Utexo
The Founder Who Put the Digital Dollar on Bitcoin's Rails
Utexo raised $7.5M to put USDT on Bitcoin. Instantly, privately, for near-zero cost. Tether led the round. That's the whole signal.
No. 010 · Revibe
The Founder Betting $17 Million That Refurbished Beats New
Revibe closed a $17M round in November 2025, backed by Partech, to become one of the most trusted refurbished electronics marketplaces in MENA and Africa. Because the real barrier was never price. It was trust.
No. 009 · Qureos
Alexander Epure Is Replacing the Hiring Stack With a Single AI
Dubai-based Qureos just raised $5 million to prove that AI can compress enterprise hiring from months to six days. Alexander Epure built the platform that 1,000+ organizations are already using to find talent faster.
No. 008 · Careem
Mudassir Sheikha Sold Careem to Uber for $3.1 Billion in a Region the World Forgot to Map
Careem started as a corporate car service in Dubai. It ended in one of the most important technology acquisitions in MENA history. Because Sheikha refused to stop at the obvious answer.
No. 007 · Fetchr
The Operator Who Made the Customer the Address
Fetchr raised roughly $77M to crack last-mile delivery across a region where most people don't have a street address, by making the customer the address. The company ceased operations in late 2021.
No. 006 · TruDoc
Raouf Khalil Built a Home Healthcare Network in America. Then He Did It Again in Dubai.
After selling his California home health empire to Option Care, Raouf Khalil landed in Dubai in 2011 with one conviction: the GCC needed doctors delivered, not just prescribed. TruDoc just raised $15M from the Al Nahyan family to prove he was right.
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