Latest news with #Shorooq
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Octane raises $5.2mln to transform MENA's fleet payments
Egypt's leading digital platform for fleet and on-road expense management Octane has closed a $5.20 million funding round led by Shorooq, Algebra Ventures, and Elsewedy Capital Holding. Octane will use the new capital to expand its network, boost its technology stack, and support the company's growth across Egypt and the wider MENA region, according to a press release. It secures a single closed-loop digital wallet that consolidates fuel, maintenance, spare parts, petty cash, and more into one platform. The solution backs diesel, gasoline, and CNG, with EV-charging payments rolling out at pilot locations to keep pace with customers' evolving energy needs. Amr Gamal, Co-Founder and CEO of Octane, commented: 'This funding lets us broaden our acceptance network, expand AI-powered fraud-detection and route-optimization features, and stay ahead of the shift toward cleaner, more efficient mobility, without adding complexity for our customers.' Established in September 2022, Octane has built Egypt's largest fleet-payment coverage, currently spanning 2,400 petrol stations and 400 CNG outlets nationwide. Laila Hassan, General Partner at Algebra Ventures, indicated: 'In a market where billions leak through inefficiencies and fraud, Octane brings real accountability and control to fleet operators. Their vision extends far beyond fuel, laying the rails for B2B transactions across Egypt's logistics and mobility sectors.' All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Octane secures $5.2mln to transform fleet payments across MENA
Cairo, Egypt: Octane, Egypt's leading digital platform for fleet and on-road expense management, has raised US $5.2 million in a funding round led by Shorooq, Algebra Ventures and Elsewedy Capital Holding. The new capital will accelerate the expansion of Octane's acceptance network, deepen its technology stack and support the company's growth across Egypt and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Unlike traditional fuel cards, Octane delivers a single closed-loop digital wallet that consolidates every on-road expense—fuel, maintenance, spare parts, petty cash and more into one platform. Real-time controls and analytics give fleet operators clear visibility, typically trimming avoidable fuel and mileage costs by double-digit percentages. The solution already supports diesel, gasoline and CNG, with EV-charging payments rolling out at pilot locations to keep pace with customers' evolving energy needs. 'At Octane, we're focused on giving fleets the rails they need to manage day-to-day payments with precision,' said Amr Gamal, Co-Founder and CEO of Octane. 'This funding lets us broaden our acceptance network, expand AI-powered fraud-detection and route-optimization features, and stay ahead of the shift toward cleaner, more efficient mobility, without adding complexity for our customers.' Since its founding in September 2022, Octane has rapidly built Egypt's largest fleet-payment coverage, now spanning 2,400 petrol stations and 400 CNG outlets nationwide. More than 1,600 corporate clients with a total fleet of ~250,000 vehicles rely on the platform to streamline fleet spending, and the company's headcount has grown to 200 employees. Octane's innovative approach earned an EEA Award for Rising Entrepreneurs of the Year. 'The first wave of digitization of mobility companies moved people; the second wave moved goods. But unlike the consumer space, the enterprise space lacked the payments and expense-management infrastructure to enable it. Octane is building that infrastructure,' said Tamer Azer, Partner at Shorooq. 'Octane is redefining financial technology and access products for fleet managers, and We're excited to support them as they scale their world-class technology to every company that operates a fleet across the MENA region.' With fuel prices volatile and logistics costs rising, fleet owners need smarter expense-management tools to protect margins. 'What drew us to Octane wasn't just the size of the problem they're tackling - it was the clarity and precision of their solution,' said Laila Hassan, General Partner at Algebra Ventures. 'In a market where billions leak through inefficiencies and fraud, Octane brings real accountability and control to fleet operators. Their vision extends far beyond fuel, laying the rails for B2B transactions across Egypt's logistics and mobility sectors. We're proud to back a team that's solving today's pain points while setting the foundation for a more efficient, transparent future.' Integrated fleet-expense platforms are gaining momentum worldwide. Established players such as Corpay and WEX prove the demand for centralized fuel and maintenance payments, while newer fintechs like Coast and Fleetio are introducing modern, digital-first tools. Octane is bringing this proven model to Egypt and the MENA region, pairing a broad local acceptance network with controls and analytics tailored to regional tax and compliance requirements, giving operators automation and insight previously available only in mature markets. With its robust network, proprietary technology and growing customer base, Octane is well-positioned to scale as more fleets seek data-driven solutions to control costs and improve operational efficiency. About Octane Founded in 2022, Octane is a Cairo-based fintech offering a closed-loop digital wallet for fleets. The platform enables payments for fuel (diesel, gasoline, CNG and emerging EV charging), maintenance, petty cash and consumables, complemented by spend controls and analytics that reduce waste and improve compliance. Octane operates Egypt's largest fleet-payment acceptance network, serves more than 1,600 corporate clients and is expanding across MENA. About Shorooq Established in 2017, Shorooq is a multi-dimensional investment firm focused on fintech, platforms, software and deep-tech companies across MENA and beyond. Regulated by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSP: 190004), Shorooq backs category leaders such as Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Nymcard, Tamara, Sarwa, Lean Technologies, TruKKer, Mozn and Lendo. About Algebra Ventures Algebra Ventures is a tech-focused venture-capital firm partnering with resilient founders building transformative companies in Egypt and across Africa. Algebra raised a US $54 million fund in 2016 and a US $100 million second fund in 2022. The firm is a multi-stage investor supporting founders from seed to Series B and provides strategic guidance, co-investment access and talent development.' Media Contacts: Tarek Fouad Chief Marketing Officer, Shorooq Shorooq Group Press: press@ Direct: tfouad@
Wamda
02-06-2025
- Business
- Wamda
Arab Fund invests in Shorooq's Nahda Fund II to expand SME credit access in MENA
The UAE-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, through its Badir Fund for SMEs, has invested in Shorooq's Nahda Fund II—a Qualified Investor Fund regulated by FSRA ADGM. The move aims to expand access to structured credit for startups and small businesses, especially tech-focused ones, across the region. Established in 2017, Shorooq is known for alternative financing models in MENA. Its Nahda Funds provide flexible, non-dilutive financing to growth-stage companies like fintech Abhi and self-storage platform The Box, which recently secured $15 million and $12.5 million, respectively, in debt financing to scale operations. This strategic partnership addresses the persistent financing challenges Arab SMEs face due to restrictive bank lending. Press release: In a strategic move to bridge the financing gap for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the Arab world, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development , through its SME financing arm, Badir Fund, is investing in Shorooq's Nahda Fund II, a Qualified Investor Fund registered with the FSRA ADGM. This investment aims to enhance access to credit for technology companies, fostering economic growth and innovation in the region. Badir Fund for Developing SMEs is a special account managed by the Arab Fund. It helps small businesses access the financing and technical assistance they need to grow and profit, creating jobs and driving private sector-led growth. Shorooq, regulated by the FSRA ADGM as a Fund Manager, is a leading alternative investment manager in the MENA region and has pioneered debt financing solutions for startups through its Nahda Funds. The second iteration, Nahda Fund II, continues this mission by offering flexible financing options to growing businesses, signifying a revitalisation of entrepreneurial ventures in the region. The collaboration between the Badir Fund and Shorooq's Nahda Fund II comes at a time when SMEs face challenges in accessing traditional bank financing. Banks often have restrictive lending criteria, leaving many SMEs underserved. This partnership aims to fill that gap by providing tailored credit solutions that meet the unique needs of SMEs. Nathan Kwon, Partner and Credit Head at Shorooq, commented on the partnership: 'This collaboration with the Badir Fund is a significant step towards empowering SMEs in the Arab region. By combining our expertise in structured financing with the Badir Fund's commitment to economic development, we can provide SMEs with the necessary resources to thrive.' Dr. Essam AlQuorashy, Secretary General for Badir Fund 'This investment from the Arab Fund will unlock vital growth opportunities for small businesses, promote their growth and foster financial inclusion of underserved segments across the Arab region.' Shorooq's portfolio companies, such as Abhi and The Box, exemplify the potential of structured financing. Abhi, a fintech company, secured $15 million in debt financing led by Shorooq to expand its earned wage access services, promoting financial inclusion for employees and SMEs. The Box, a self-storage firm, secured $12.5 million in financing to enhance its operations. The investment by the Badir Fund in Shorooq's Nahda Fund II underscores a shared commitment to fostering SME growth and economic development in the Arab region. By providing SMEs with access to credit, this partnership aims to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable economic progress.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Arab Fund's SME arm and Shorooq's Nahda Fund II expand access to credit in the Arab World
Abu Dhabi, UAE — In a strategic move to bridge the financing gap for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the Arab world, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, through its SME financing arm, Badir Fund, is investing in Shorooq's Nahda Fund II, a Qualified Investor Fund registered with the FSRA ADGM. This investment aims to enhance access to credit for technology companies, fostering economic growth and innovation in the region. Badir Fund for Developing SMEs is a special account managed by the Arab Fund. It helps small businesses access the financing and technical assistance they need to grow and profit, creating jobs and driving private sector led-growth. Shorooq, regulated by the FSRA ADGM as a Fund Manager, is a leading alternative investment manager in the MENA region, has pioneered debt financing solutions for startups through its Nahda Funds. The second iteration, Nahda Fund II, continues this mission by offering flexible financing options to growing businesses, signifying a revitalization of entrepreneurial ventures in the region. The collaboration between the Badir Fund and Shorooq's Nahda Fund II comes at a time when SMEs face challenges in accessing traditional bank financing. Banks often have restrictive lending criteria, leaving many SMEs underserved. This partnership aims to fill that gap by providing tailored credit solutions that meet the unique needs of SMEs. Nathan Kwon, Partner and Credit Head at Shorooq, commented on the partnership: 'This collaboration with the Badir Fund is a significant step towards empowering SMEs in the Arab region. By combining our expertise in structured financing with the Badir Fund's commitment to economic development, we can provide SMEs with the necessary resources to thrive.' Dr. Essam AlQuorashy, Secretary General for Badir Fund, 'This investment from Arab Fund will unlock vital growth opportunities for small businesses, promote their growth and foster financial inclusion of underserved segments across the Arab region.' Shorooq's portfolio companies, such as Abhi and The Box, exemplify the potential of structured financing. Abhi, a fintech company, secured $15 million in debt financing led by Shorooq to expand its earned wage access services, promoting financial inclusion for employees and SMEs. The Box, a self-storage firm, secured $12.5 million in financing to enhance its operations. The investment by the Badir Fund into Shorooq's Nahda Fund II underscores a shared commitment to fostering SME growth and economic development in the Arab region. By providing SMEs with access to credit, this partnership aims to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable economic progress. About Shorooq Founded in 2017, Shorooq is a multi-dimensional investment firm. Our venture capital and credit practice invests in the most innovative technology companies across the MENA region and beyond. We have built deep sectoral expertise in fintech, platforms, software, and deep tech. Shorooq has backed category leaders such as Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Nymcard, Tamara, Sarwa, Lean Technologies, TruKKer, Mozn and Lendo. Shorooq was built on the values of building with founders and identifying attractive returns for investors. We pride ourselves on a local presence across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Korea. Visit us at Shorooq refers to a group of companies that are affiliates of each other and which operate under this business name, of which Shorooq Partners Ltd (regulated by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority FSRA FSP: 190004 as a category 3C Fund Manager) is a member. About Badir Fund for Developing Small and Medium Enterprises: Established by the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in 2009, the Badir Fund for SMEs is a pioneering financial facility managed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. Since inception, Badir Fund has provided a total of $1.5 billion in loans to finance small businesses, expand access to finance through encouraging the flow of private capital into Arab countries, attract additional funding, and strengthen the private sector through technical and advisory assistance. In addition, Badir Fund provided $3.5 million in grants to support SMEs in the Arab region. For more information on Badir Fund operations, please visit: Media Contacts: Tarek Fouad Chief Marketing Officer, Shorooq Shorooq Group Press: press@ Direct: tfouad@ Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Mohamed Eissa Head of Communications
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nawy, the largest proptech in Africa, raises a $52M Series A to take on MENA
Cairo, Egypt — Nawy, Africa's largest proptech platform, has raised $52 million in Series A equity funding to scale its operations, enhance its technology stack, and accelerate regional expansion. The round was led by Partech, with participation from e& Capital, March Capital Investments (MCI), Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV), Endeavor Catalyst, Development Partners International (DPI) Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, VentureSouq (VSQ), Outliers, HOF Capital, and Plug and Play and MENA's leading alternative investment firm, Shorooq. In addition, Nawy secured $23 million in debt financing from some of Egypt's largest banks and financial institutions, dedicated exclusively to fueling the company's rapidly growing mortgage offering. Founded in Egypt in 2019 by Mostafa El-Beltagy, Abdel-Azim Osman, Ahmed Rafea, Mohamed Abou Ghanima, and Aly Rafea, Nawy has rapidly grown into Africa's largest real estate technology company. Its platform transforms how people buy, sell, invest, finance, and manage properties. Nawy's expanding product portfolio includes Nawy Now ('Move Now, Pay Later' mortgage financing), Nawy Shares (fractional ownership), Nawy Unlocked (property finishing, asset management, and rental monetization), and Nawy Partners (empowering brokerages with exclusive tools, tech-driven sales enablement, and enhanced commissions). The company closed 2024 with more than $1.4 billion Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and a monthly user base exceeding one million. Over the past four years, Nawy's revenue in U.S. dollar terms has grown more than 50-fold, even as the Egyptian pound lost 69% of its value. Nawy by the Numbers (2024): $1.4B+ Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) 1M+ monthly users 50x revenue growth in 4 years in USD despite 69% EGP devaluation In just four years, Nawy has not only scaled massively, it has consistently outperformed the market, setting a new benchmark for growth in real scaling fast and adapting even faster, the company turned volatility into momentum and built one of the most resilient growth stories in MENA proptech. ' This investment is a major leap forward—fueling our expansion, accelerating the transformation of our products using AI, and starting our mission to reinvent how real estate works across MENA and beyond,' said Mostafa El-Beltagy, Co-Founder and CEO of Nawy. A Full-Stack Ecosystem for Real Estate What began as a listings platform has grown into a full-stack ecosystem reshaping how real estate works in the region. Today, Nawy's product lines include: Nawy Now – A licensed mortgage solution offering faster approvals and 'Move Now, Pay Later' flexibility. Nawy Shares – Egypt's first off-plan fractional ownership product, opening up premium real estate investment to a broader audience. Nawy Unlocked – Nawy kicked off 2025 with the acquisition of ROA, a home finishing and asset management platform. The business has been rebranded as Nawy Unlocked, helping owners refurbish, monetize, and rent out idle or unfinished units to unlock asset value. Nawy Partners – A B2B platform enabling 3,000+ brokerages to close deals smarter with full visibility on the market's live inventory, direct access to developers, tech-driven sales tools, better commissions & flexible payouts. Each product tackles a different real estate friction point, from buying and financing to investing, asset management, and brokerage enablement. Together, they form a connected ecosystem that empowers users at every stage of the property journey and positions Nawy to scale seamlessly across the MENA region. Positioned for Regional Growth The MENA region is rapidly emerging as one of the world's most promising real estate markets, driven by rapid economic growth, increasing urbanization, and a young, tech-savvy population. With ongoing investments in infrastructure and real estate development, the region is seeing growing demand for both residential and commercial properties, creating substantial opportunities for investors looking to capitalize on one of the most dynamic markets in the world. With its Series A investment, Nawy is scaling its vision to reshape the real estate experience across Egypt, the wider MENA region, and beyond, using technology to bring transparency, accessibility, and efficiency to an industry long overdue for change. The new capital will be used to: "We're excited to support Nawy as they build the foundation for a modern, tech-driven real estate experience,' said Tidjane Deme, General Partner at Partech. 'Their team has deep market insights, coupled with ambitious regional expansion plans and exceptional execution, positioning them as the clear proptech champion in Africa and the Middle East.' A Turning Point for Real Estate in MENA This round marks more than just a funding milestone, it signals the rise of a new real estate infrastructure built for today's buyer, broker, and developer. Nawy is leading the charge to digitize the industry, unlock liquidity, and bring trust, speed, and transparency to a historically fragmented sector. About Nawy Nawy is Africa's largest proptech company, transforming real estate across the MENA region with cutting-edge technology. With AI-powered search, expert in-house brokerage, and innovative financing solutions, Nawy simplifies property transactions for consumers, brokers, and developers alike. Its growing portfolio includes Nawy Shares, Nawy Now, Nawy Partners, and Nawy Unlocked where it enhances accessibility, transparency, and efficiency. Nawy's vision is to play an integral role in every real estate transaction, driving innovation and shaping the future of the industry.. LINK: About Shorooq Founded in 2017, Shorooq is a multi-dimensional investment firm. Our venture capital and credit practice invests in the most innovative technology companies across the MENA region and beyond. We have built deep sectoral expertise in fintech, platforms, software, and deep tech. Shorooq has backed category leaders such as Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Nymcard, Tamara, Sarwa, Lean Technologies, TruKKer, Mozn and Lendo. Shorooq was built on the values of building with founders and identifying attractive returns for investors. We pride ourselves on a local presence across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Korea. Visit us at Shorooq refers to a group of companies that are affiliates of each other and which operate under this business name, of which Shorooq Partners Ltd (regulated by the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority FSRA FSP: 190004 as a category 3C Fund Manager) is a member. Media Contact:: Tarek Fouad Chief Marketing Officer, Shorooq Shorooq Group Press: press@ Direct: tfouad@
