Dubai's Oraseya Capital fund doubles to AED 1 billion

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has announced that it will double the size of the venture capital fund run by its investment arm, Oraseya Capital, from AED 500 million to AED 1 billion. The announcement was made on Sunday 11 October 2026, according to the Dubai Media Office.

What is changing

Alongside the larger fund, the rules for how it invests are being widened. The maximum investment in a single company rises from USD 3 million to USD 6 million, which is about AED 22 million. The fund will also be able to back global companies that are strategically relevant to the UAE, rather than only firms with a UAE link.

Its mandate now covers founders at every growth stage, including companies beyond Series B, while it continues to fund early-stage startups. DIEZ said strategic priorities include healthcare and longevity, fintech and digital assets, and artificial intelligence.

Track record cited by DIEZ

Oraseya Capital launched in November 2023. DIEZ said MAGNiTT, a startup data provider, ranked it the UAE's most active investor by number of deals for three consecutive years. In MAGNiTT's first-half 2026 rankings it placed first in the UAE by deal count and early-stage activity, and second in the Middle East and North Africa on both measures.

The authority reported 66 active portfolio companies and an average of 25 investments a year. Its SANDBOX programme, which gives selected companies USD 150,000 each, has run eight cohorts, and a six-month programme called LAUNCHPAD supports entrepreneurs. According to DIEZ, portfolio annual recurring revenue grew from roughly USD 180 million at the time of investment to USD 387 million, of which USD 140 million was generated in the UAE. Portfolio companies have raised a combined USD 1.1 billion.

Why it matters for founders and businesses

The change gives startups based in Dubai or planning to expand from it a larger source of local funding, and a higher ceiling per round. DIEZ chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum linked the expansion to confidence in Dubai as a technology hub and to the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). Executive Chairman Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni said the larger fund reflects the strength of Oraseya Capital's model and aims to help companies make Dubai their base for regional and global expansion.

Founders interested in the fund should check Oraseya Capital's own channels for eligibility and application details, as the announcement did not set out application steps.