- Gainz raises a seven-figure pre-seed funding round to enhance its SME lending platform.
- The investment will support technological development and market expansion across the UAE.
Dubai-based fintech Gainz raised a significant pre-seed round
Gainz, a UAE-based fintech startup founded in December 2024 by Egyptian entrepreneurs Shehab Mokhtar and Sherif Abdelaty, has secured a seven-figure USD pre-seed funding round, combining equity and debt. The round was led by Antler MENAP, Lithium Holdings, and Eleventh Invest Inc., with additional backing from regional high-net-worth individuals. The company’s platform is designed to streamline the lending process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering quick and accessible financing solutions. By leveraging technology, Gainz aims to address the financing gap that many SMEs face, facilitating their growth and contribution to the economy.
The platform, which focuses on democratising SME financing, uses an AI-powered, Shariah-compliant crowdfunding model to enable individuals to invest in vetted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with little. During its MVP phase, Gainz facilitated $400,000 in loans across seven deals in Q2 2025, demonstrating strong early traction. The funds will be used to scale the platform, expand regionally across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and enhance its technology to streamline lending processes.
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Why it’s important
SMEs are a vital component of the UAE’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP. However, access to financing remains a persistent challenge for many of these businesses. Gainz’s innovative approach to SME lending addresses this issue by providing a digital platform that simplifies the borrowing process, making it more efficient and accessible.
The funding underscores the urgent need to address the $200 billion SME financing gap in the MENA region, where traditional lending processes often take two to four months, stifling business growth. Gainz’s platform allows SMEs to launch funding campaigns in minutes and secure capital within days, a stark contrast to conventional methods. The startup’s model also opens private credit investment to retail investors, offering high-yield, short-term opportunities starting at a low entry point. This democratisation of investment aligns with the UAE’s vision to bolster its fintech ecosystem, which has grown exponentially, with the country ranked among the top 25 global fintech hubs in 2022. Gainz’s success could inspire further innovation in alternative financing, supporting SMEs—the backbone of the region’s economy.
