DIEZ doubles Oraseya Capital fund to AED1 billion

Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) announced on October 11, 2026 that Oraseya Capital, its investment arm, will double its venture-capital fund from AED500 million to AED1 billion, or about $272.2 million. The move also raises the maximum investment per company from US$3 million to US$6 million, according to DIEZ.

The fund expansion is designed to give Oraseya Capital more room to back companies with global growth potential and to strengthen Dubai’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. DIEZ said the larger vehicle will support founders across every stage of growth, including companies beyond Series B, while continuing to invest in early-stage startups.

What changed in Oraseya Capital’s fund?

Oraseya Capital’s fund size will increase from AED500 million to AED1 billion, effectively doubling the capital pool available for new and follow-on investments. DIEZ also said the company-level investment cap will rise from US$3 million to US$6 million, which is roughly AED22 million.

That higher ceiling should allow Oraseya Capital to participate in larger financing rounds and back more mature companies than it could under the previous limit, according to independent reporting from Arab News Radio and GCC Business News. DIEZ said the broadened mandate will still include early-stage startups, but it is now meant to cover the full growth curve, including businesses beyond Series B.

The fund expansion was announced in a Government of Dubai Media Office release. Gulf Daily News later reported that the fund would now be able to support companies with global growth potential and help reinforce Dubai’s venture-capital and innovation ecosystem.

Why is DIEZ broadening the mandate?

DIEZ said the wider mandate reflects Oraseya Capital’s results since launch and its aim to support companies that can scale beyond the UAE. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the larger fund is intended to help promising companies grow from Dubai into regional and global markets, while also translating confidence in Dubai into investments, companies and economic opportunities tied to D33 and future-focused sectors.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni said doubling the fund reflects Oraseya Capital’s model and results since launch and would create opportunities for more impactful investment partnerships across different growth stages. Gulf Daily News also quoted him saying the firm is entering a new phase centered on capital, expertise, guidance and network access.

Independent reporting from GCC Business News said the expanded geographic scope will allow Oraseya Capital to invest in international businesses of strategic relevance to the UAE, not just companies directly linked to the country. The same reporting said the broader mandate is meant to help companies with proven business models scale internationally and build businesses with unicorn potential.

What has Oraseya Capital done so far?

DIEZ and reporting cited by Gulf Daily News and Arab News Radio say Oraseya Capital has built a portfolio of 66 active companies and averaged about 25 investments a year. MAGNiTT data cited in reporting ranked Oraseya Capital as the UAE’s most active investor by deal count for a third straight year, with first-place rankings in 2024 and 2025 and a top UAE ranking again in H1 2026 for both overall deal count and early-stage activity.

Gulf Daily News also reported that Oraseya Capital won Venture Capital Firm of the Year at the Entrepreneur Middle East Awards 2025. GCC Business News said the firm has completed eight cohorts of its SANDBOX program, while DIEZ’s September 2024 results release said the fourth cohort attracted more than 1,500 applications and that seven technology startups each received AED570,000 after the program.

Oraseya Capital has said its portfolio companies’ annual recurring revenue increased from about $180 million at investment to $387 million, including $140 million generated in the UAE, and that those companies have raised a combined $1.1 billion. GCC Business News also reported that the portfolio spans fintech, proptech, AI, media and advertising, marketing technology, sustainability, healthcare, digital commerce and edtech.

What comes next for Dubai’s venture ecosystem?

With a larger fund and higher per-company check size, Oraseya Capital appears positioned to keep backing earlier startups while taking bigger stakes in later-stage rounds. The firm’s stated priorities include healthcare and longevity, digital assets in fintech, and artificial intelligence.

DIEZ said the expansion is meant to strengthen Dubai’s innovation ecosystem and support companies with global growth potential. For founders, the practical takeaway is that Oraseya Capital now has more capital to deploy, a wider geographic remit and a mandate that extends beyond the early stages that have historically defined many regional venture vehicles.