du Launches US$50 Million du Ventures Fund to Back UAE Fintechs
Telecom operator du has launched du Ventures, a US$50 million corporate venture fund designed to invest in companies across the region, with a particular focus on fintech, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The fund will be managed by multi-strategy investment firm Shorooq and is aimed at supporting startups building market-ready technologies.
A substantial share of the capital will be directed toward UAE-based ventures, underscoring the fund’s emphasis on the domestic innovation ecosystem. While du Ventures will invest across multiple technology segments, its financial services mandate includes fintech infrastructure, loyalty platforms, and enterprise solutions.
The initiative marks a broader step by du into the digital investment space, pairing corporate backing with startup financing. According to the company, the fund is intended to give founders access not only to capital, but also to du’s enterprise reach and operational infrastructure.
Leadership Commentary
Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer of du, said the platform is intended to support technologies and founders aligned with the company’s strategic priorities.
“Through this platform, we are investing in technologies and founders that align closely with our strategic priorities,” Al Hassawi said. He added that combining the telecom provider’s scale with startup innovation is expected to help accelerate the commercialisation of emerging technologies.
Shorooq will oversee the fund’s investment process and focus on opportunities that fit within du’s corporate strategy. The investment firm said the partnership is intended to connect promising startups with both funding and strategic support.
Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq, said the two organisations share a view that regional startups need both capital and access to infrastructure to scale effectively.
“We share a common belief that the region’s most promising startups deserve access to both capital and the strategic infrastructure that du can offer,” Adi said. He added that the partnership aims to help bridge the gap between innovation and scale for founders bringing new solutions to market.
Industry Analysis
du Ventures reflects a growing trend of corporate venture activity in the Gulf, where established companies are increasingly investing in startups that can strengthen their digital capabilities. For fintech founders, the fund may offer more than funding alone, as access to a large enterprise platform can help support distribution, pilot opportunities, and commercial adoption.
The fund’s focus on fintech infrastructure and adjacent enterprise technologies also signals continued investor interest in backend innovation rather than consumer-facing applications alone. In the UAE, where digital finance continues to expand, corporate-backed capital could play a meaningful role in helping startups move from product development to market scale.
