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Capifly Finishes Successful $1M Pre-Seed Funding Round
The Jordanian startup has also initiated a $10 million Shariah-compliant, non-dilutive capital facility.
Jordan-based Capifly has announced a successful $1 million pre-seed funding round. In addition, the tech startup is also preparing to launch a $10 million non-dilutive capital facility to coincide with its recent expansion into Saudi Arabia.
Capifly unlocks value in the digital economy by offering a proprietary credit scoring technology across a wide range of sectors, including SaaS, gaming, enterprise software, and internet-based virtual goods. The company is rapidly becoming a leader in providing non-dilutive capital — a style of funding that doesn’t require giving up equity or ownership.
Capifly’s CEO and co-founder, Dunya Bashiti, said, “Our vision positions Capifly at the forefront of the internet’s GDP growth. Our unique technology isn’t just for our use; we’re gearing up to underwrite debt for other financial institutions, solidifying Capifly’s key role in the digital era”.
Funders — including Oasis500, BLDR Ventures, Ahli Fintech, Joa Capital, and various angel investors from Jordan and the KSA — have backed Capifly’s growth and ongoing MENA expansion. According to Ahmed Jaradat, Capifly’s CTO and co-founder, the investors’ belief in Capifly’s vision and technological strengths has been invaluable. “The journey is just beginning, and their continued support propels us forward”.
Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East
Capifly’s ambition doesn’t stop with Middle Eastern expansion. The company’s long-term strategy includes growth across pivotal emerging markets for Islamic financing, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia, where Capifly has already gained a foothold through using Malaysian registration.
The MENA virtual goods market is currently valued at over $15 billion and is estimated to grow by another $10 billion before 2025. The addition of non-dilutive capital from players like Capifly means the market could soon grow at an even greater pace than is currently forecast.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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