Key Takeaways
- • DIEZ has doubled the venture capital fund managed by its investment arm Oraseya Capital from AED500 million to AED1 billion, according to WAM (11 October 2026).
- • Maximum investment per company rises from US$3 million to US$6 million (about AED22 million), and the mandate now extends beyond Series B and to global companies of strategic relevance to the UAE.
- • Oraseya ranked first in the UAE by deal count for the third consecutive year per MAGNiTT, and first in the UAE by early-stage activity in H1 2026, placing second across MENA.
- • Portfolio of 66 active companies generated ARR of US$387 million, up from about US$180 million at investment, of which US$140 million came from the UAE; portfolio companies have raised a combined US$1.1 billion.
- • Strategic priorities are healthcare and longevity, fintech digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
Summary
The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has announced that the venture capital fund managed by its investment arm, Oraseya Capital, has doubled in size from AED500 million to AED1 billion, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) report dated 11 October 2026. The expansion is intended to strengthen Oraseya's capacity to back companies with global growth potential and to contribute to the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, reinforcing Dubai's position as a global hub for venture capital and future industries.
Alongside the fund increase, DIEZ has raised Oraseya's maximum investment per company from US$3 million to US$6 million (equivalent to AED22 million), allowing it to participate in larger funding rounds at more advanced stages. The investment scope will also expand beyond companies directly linked to the UAE to include global companies of strategic relevance to the country. The mandate now explicitly covers founders at every stage of growth, including beyond Series B, while the fund continues to back early-stage startups.
According to venture data platform MAGNiTT, Oraseya ranked as the UAE's most active investor by deal count for the third consecutive year. In MAGNiTT's H1 2026 rankings, it ranked first in the UAE by both overall deal count and early-stage investment activity, and second across the Middle East and North Africa in both categories. The firm was also named Venture Capital Firm of the Year at the Entrepreneur Middle East Awards 2025.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the increase reflects the strength of Oraseya's model since its launch in November 2023 and will enable larger investments and more impactful partnerships. The fund's portfolio now comprises 66 active companies, with an average of 25 investments made per year, and has completed eight cohorts of its SANDBOX programme, which provides US$150,000 per selected company, alongside the six-month LAUNCHPAD entrepreneurship programme. Annual recurring revenue across portfolio companies has grown from approximately US$180 million at the time of investment to US$387 million, of which US$140 million was generated in the UAE, and portfolio companies have collectively raised US$1.1 billion.
Oraseya's portfolio spans fintech, proptech, artificial intelligence, media and advertising, marketing technology, sustainability and healthcare, digital commerce, and edtech. Going forward, the firm will prioritise emerging technologies, with a focus on healthcare and longevity, fintech digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
Alongside the fund increase, DIEZ has raised Oraseya's maximum investment per company from US$3 million to US$6 million (equivalent to AED22 million), allowing it to participate in larger funding rounds at more advanced stages. The investment scope will also expand beyond companies directly linked to the UAE to include global companies of strategic relevance to the country. The mandate now explicitly covers founders at every stage of growth, including beyond Series B, while the fund continues to back early-stage startups.
According to venture data platform MAGNiTT, Oraseya ranked as the UAE's most active investor by deal count for the third consecutive year. In MAGNiTT's H1 2026 rankings, it ranked first in the UAE by both overall deal count and early-stage investment activity, and second across the Middle East and North Africa in both categories. The firm was also named Venture Capital Firm of the Year at the Entrepreneur Middle East Awards 2025.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the increase reflects the strength of Oraseya's model since its launch in November 2023 and will enable larger investments and more impactful partnerships. The fund's portfolio now comprises 66 active companies, with an average of 25 investments made per year, and has completed eight cohorts of its SANDBOX programme, which provides US$150,000 per selected company, alongside the six-month LAUNCHPAD entrepreneurship programme. Annual recurring revenue across portfolio companies has grown from approximately US$180 million at the time of investment to US$387 million, of which US$140 million was generated in the UAE, and portfolio companies have collectively raised US$1.1 billion.
Oraseya's portfolio spans fintech, proptech, artificial intelligence, media and advertising, marketing technology, sustainability and healthcare, digital commerce, and edtech. Going forward, the firm will prioritise emerging technologies, with a focus on healthcare and longevity, fintech digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.