News

UAE’s Silkhaus Secures Pre-Series A Funding For Expansion

The cash injection includes a multi-million-dollar credit line supporting the PropTech startup’s plans for growth.

Published

11 months ago

January 17, 2024

uae's silkhaus secures pre-series a funding for expansion

Silkhaus, a Dubai PropTech startup dedicated to transforming the short-term rental landscape in the Middle East and Asia, has recently announced a substantial pre-series A financing round. The funding comes via San Francisco-based Partners for Growth (PFG). The strategic partnership also grants Silkhaus access to a substantial credit line, which will facilitate its ambitious expansion plans.

Silkhaus harnesses cutting-edge technology to provide property owners with the essential infrastructure tools to manage and monetize their real estate assets. The startup oversees every aspect of the rental process, from handling bookings to property distribution and operations, ensuring an exceptional guest experience.

On average, property owners using Silkhaus platforms report earning between 20% to 40% more income compared to traditional rental models.

The significant cash injection means that Silkhaus is now poised to disrupt the global short-term rental sector, which boasts a valuation of over $100 billion.

aahan bhojani silkhaus ceo

Aahan Bhojani, the Founder and CEO of Silkhaus, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with PFG, saying, “Since our launch, Silkhaus has experienced incredible demand, growing by 120% over the past 12 months. We are thrilled to partner with the PFG team as we begin scaling Silkhaus across the GCC with a diversified capital stack and investor base”.

Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East

Meanwhile, Armineh Baghoomian, Managing Director and Head of EMEA at Partners for Growth, praised Silkhaus for its innovative approach, noting, “Through the use of technology, Silkhaus is reinventing how landlords and institutional investors are able to monetize their asset base. Silkhaus’ strong fundamentals have put them on the path to success and we are excited to be a part of their growth story”.

Established in 2021, Silkhaus has already attracted guests from over 120 countries to its properties. In 2022, the company secured $7.75 million in funding from a consortium of global investors, marking one of the most significant seed funding rounds in the history of the GCC region.

News

UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.

Published

5 days ago

December 17, 2024

Nour Nasir

uae prepares to launch two satellites thuraya-2 and mbz-sat

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.

The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.

خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024

Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.

Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.

Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.

Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.

The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.