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 →
The Record
The record of the founders
The record of the founders
building Dubai.
Permanent, and alive.
41 founders on the record · 15 chronicled. Sourced, permanently numbered, anchored to Bitcoin. Never rewritten silently.
A
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 032
Tarabut
Founded2019 · Manama
Raised$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
M
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 033
Careem
Founded2012 · Dubai
Raised$3.1B Uber acquisition, 2019
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
V
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
R
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
B
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
A
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 037
Camb.ai
Founded2022 · Dubai
Raised$15.5M 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
F
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
A
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
P
Dubai of Tomorrow
Philip
Bahoshy
Bahoshy
He turned a startup directory into the subscription data platform of record for venture capital across emerging markets.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
T
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
M
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
H
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
P
Chronicled · No. 018
The McKinsey Consultant Who Built the Card the Gulf Never Had
Built the Gulf corporate card the global fintechs decided was too complex.
Read the story →
Z
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 044
Zest Equity
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$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
D
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 045
verity
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$800K pre-seed, 2021
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
M
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 020
Kitopi
Founded2018 · Dubai
Raised$415M Series C, 2021
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
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
2026 · Raised $50M growth round led by EvolutionX after reaching profitability, with 200+ locations across five GCC markets
M
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 021
Swvl
Founded2017 · Dubai
Raised$1.5B SPAC valuation, 2022
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
R
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
F
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 023
Ziina
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$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
O
Chronicled · No. 016
The Six-Time Founder Who Claimed the Gap Between Hotels and Leases
The 30-to-365 night segment, finally with infrastructure.
Read the story →
M
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 024
Fuze
Founded2023 · Dubai
Raised$14M seed, 2023
BackersFurther Ventures, Galaxy, e& capital, Liberty City Ventures
Moves
2023 · Founded by Mo Ali Yusuf, Arpit Mehta and Srijan Shetty; raised $14M seed led by Further Ventures
2023 · 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 · 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
A
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 025
Qashio
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$19.8M equity and debt, 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
F
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 026
baraka
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$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
M
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
O
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 028
Keyper
Founded2022 · Dubai
Raised$11M Series A, 2026
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
A
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
S
Chronicled · No. 015
The Delivery Founder Who Sold to Souq and Set Out to Fix the Invoice
Suppliers paid in 24 hours; Comfi absorbs the credit risk.
Read the story →
H
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 030
Lune
Founded2020 · Dubai
Raised$1.5M seed, 2024
BackersDubai Future District Fund, Plus Venture Capital, Reach International, Flat6Labs
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
A
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
P
Dubai of Tomorrow
Parthi
Duraisamy
Duraisamy
Built the Gulf corporate card the global fintechs decided was too complex.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 018
Alaan
Founded2021 · Dubai
Raised$55M total, Series A 2025
Backers468 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
O
Dubai of Tomorrow
Osama
Shawky
Shawky
The 30-to-365 night segment, finally with infrastructure.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
S
Dubai of Tomorrow
Sanjar
Samiev
Samiev
Suppliers paid in 24 hours; Comfi absorbs the credit risk.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 015
Comfi
Founded2023
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
M
Dubai of Tomorrow
Michael
Lahyani
Lahyani
The operating system of Gulf real estate.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
J
Dubai of Tomorrow
Jad
Antoun
Antoun
Mortgage infrastructure Huspy says processes a quarter of Dubai's residential mortgages.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
C
Dubai of Tomorrow
Chris
Hutchinson
Hutchinson
USDT on Bitcoin rails, instant and near-zero cost.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
H
Dubai of Tomorrow
Hamza
Iraqui
Iraqui
Refurbished electronics with certified trust: inspection and warranty.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
A
Dubai of Tomorrow
Alexander
Epure
Epure
AI hiring that compresses enterprise recruiting to as little as six days.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 009
Qureos
Raised$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
M
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mudassir
Sheikha
Sheikha
The super-app that mapped a region the world had not.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
I
Dubai of Tomorrow
Idriss
Al
Rifai,
Joy
Ajlouny
Al
Rifai,
Joy
Ajlouny
GPS-first delivery that replaced street addresses with phone pins.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
R
Dubai of Tomorrow
Raouf
Khalil
Khalil
Acute care and chronic disease management delivered at home.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
M
Dubai of Tomorrow
Mark
Chahwan
Chahwan
Robo-advisor opening retail investing with low-fee ETF portfolios.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 005
Sarwa
Founded2017
RaisedA reported $25M by 2021
Moves
2018 · Launched in DIFC under one of the DFSA's early Innovation Testing Licenses
2021 · A reported $25M raised across rounds
2026 · A leading robo-advisor for UAE professionals
2021 · A reported $25M raised across rounds
2026 · A leading robo-advisor for UAE professionals
R
Dubai of Tomorrow
Rami
Tabbara
Tabbara
Fractional real estate ownership from AED 500.
Tap to flipClick to flip
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
H
Dubai of Tomorrow
Hisham
Al-Falih
Al-Falih
Open banking APIs connecting fintech to bank accounts across MENA.
Tap to flipClick to flip
Dubai of TomorrowNo. 001
Lean Technologies
Founded2019 · Riyadh
Raised$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
No. 046
The record grows daily. The next story is chronicled Tuesday.
No founder on the record matches. Yet.
The Weekly Dispatch
Subscribe to Tomorrow.
Follow the record. When something material happens to a founder on it, subscribers know first. New cards, new signatures, and one chronicled story each Tuesday.
Join founders and investors tracking Dubai of Tomorrow's next chapter.
Read a sample profile