Key Takeaways
- • DIEZ doubled the size of Oraseya Capital, its venture capital fund, from AED500 million to AED1 billion (approximately US$272 million), according to WAM.
- • The maximum investment per company rises from US$3 million to US$6 million (AED22 million), and the mandate extends to global companies of strategic relevance to the UAE.
- • Oraseya Capital's portfolio comprises 66 active companies, with portfolio ARR growing from roughly US$180 million at investment to US$387 million, of which US$140 million was generated in the UAE.
- • The fund ranked first in the UAE by deal count in MAGNiTT's H1 2026 rankings and placed second across MENA in deal count and early-stage activity.
Summary
The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has announced that the venture capital fund managed by its investment arm, Oraseya Capital, has been doubled in size from AED500 million to AED1 billion, according to the Emirates news agency WAM. The expansion is intended to increase Oraseya's capacity to back companies with global growth potential and to contribute to the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
DIEZ has also raised the fund's maximum investment per company from US$3 million to US$6 million, enabling participation in larger funding rounds and support for companies at more advanced stages. The investment scope will extend 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 continuing to support early-stage startups.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DIEZ, said the expansion reflects confidence in Dubai's position as a hub for technology leaders. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the fund's model and results since its launch in November 2023 support a new phase of growth built around capital, expertise, guidance and access to an investor and partner network.
According to venture capital data platform MAGNiTT, Oraseya Capital has been the UAE's most active investor by deal count for three consecutive years. In MAGNiTT's H1 2026 rankings, it ranked first in the UAE by overall deal count and early-stage investment activity, and second across the Middle East and North Africa in both categories. The fund was also named 'Venture Capital Firm of the Year' at the Entrepreneur Middle East Awards 2025.
The portfolio comprises 66 active companies, with an average of 25 investments a year, and spans fintech, proptech, AI, media, marketing tech, sustainability, healthcare, digital commerce and edtech. Portfolio companies have collectively raised US$1.1 billion. The fund has completed eight cohorts of its SANDBOX programme, which provides US$150,000 to selected companies, alongside the six-month LAUNCHPAD entrepreneurship programme. Going forward, the fund will prioritise healthcare and longevity, fintech digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
DIEZ has also raised the fund's maximum investment per company from US$3 million to US$6 million, enabling participation in larger funding rounds and support for companies at more advanced stages. The investment scope will extend 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 continuing to support early-stage startups.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DIEZ, said the expansion reflects confidence in Dubai's position as a hub for technology leaders. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the fund's model and results since its launch in November 2023 support a new phase of growth built around capital, expertise, guidance and access to an investor and partner network.
According to venture capital data platform MAGNiTT, Oraseya Capital has been the UAE's most active investor by deal count for three consecutive years. In MAGNiTT's H1 2026 rankings, it ranked first in the UAE by overall deal count and early-stage investment activity, and second across the Middle East and North Africa in both categories. The fund was also named 'Venture Capital Firm of the Year' at the Entrepreneur Middle East Awards 2025.
The portfolio comprises 66 active companies, with an average of 25 investments a year, and spans fintech, proptech, AI, media, marketing tech, sustainability, healthcare, digital commerce and edtech. Portfolio companies have collectively raised US$1.1 billion. The fund has completed eight cohorts of its SANDBOX programme, which provides US$150,000 to selected companies, alongside the six-month LAUNCHPAD entrepreneurship programme. Going forward, the fund will prioritise healthcare and longevity, fintech digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
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