du launches $50 million venture fund
Shorooq-managed fund targets AI, fintech and cybersecurity across MENA
#UAE #venturecapital – UAE telecom and digital service provider du has announced du Ventures, a $50 million corporate venture capital fund developed in partnership with investment firm Shorooq. The fund will back emerging tech startups across the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, loyalty solutions, gaming, enterprise software and customer experience. With a significant share of capital earmarked for UAE-based ventures, the Shorooq-managed fund will also offer portfolio companies direct access to du’s digital infrastructure, enterprise customer base and regional market reach.
SO WHAT? – du is uniquely positioned to combine venture capital funding with a truly valuable proposition for AI startups. As one of the UAE’s two telco’s, du has 5G infrastructure, an enterprise customer base and a digital services portfolio that could make it a useful partner for startups in AI, cybersecurity and cloud, over and above providing a source of funding. By combining Shorooq’s investment track record and regional founder network with du’s operational scale, du Ventures could offer something most standalone VC funds cannot: a direct route from pilot to commercial deployment at telco scale.
KEY POINTS:
UAE telco du has launched du Ventures, a $50 million corporate venture capital fund, developed in partnership with Shorooq to invest in startups transforming emerging technologies into real-world solutions across the MENA region.
The fund will invest across eight technology categories: fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, loyalty solutions, gaming, enterprise software and customer experience technologies. The focus reflects du’s strategic priorities as it expands beyond traditional telecom services.
Abu Dhabi-based Shorooq will manage the fund, with a significant share of investments dedicated to UAE-based ventures. Founded in 2017, Shorooq operates across venture capital, credit, private equity and real assets, with on-the-ground presence across MENA and Asia.
Portfolio companies will be able to gain access to du’s infrastructure, enterprise customer base and market reach alongside capital investment. The package provides startups a direct pathway to accelerate commercialisation and scale within one of the region’s most connected digital ecosystems.
The launch aligns with du’s commitment to support the UAE’s ambition to build a globally competitive digital economy. The new fund bridges innovation and scale, providing founders with access to both capital and the strategic infrastructure needed to bring transformative solutions to market faster.
The new fund strengthens du’s positioning a comprehensive digital ecosystem player rather than a traditional telecoms provider, building on an existing portfolio spanning mobile, fixed broadband, entertainment, fintech, cloud computing, AI-driven analytics and cybersecurity services.
ZOOM OUT – du Ventures is the latest in a pattern of high-value corporate partnerships that Shorooq has assembled with UAE institutions to create differentiated venture funds. In September 2025, Shorooq partnered with Abu Dhabi-listed AI and big data analytics company Presight to launch Presight–Shorooq Fund I, a $100 million global AI innovation fund targeting 25 to 30 AI and deep tech startups across smart cities, energy, fintech, AI and machine learning, augmented reality, game development and Industry 4.0. That fund was notable for combining venture capital with something most VC funds cannot offer: direct access to Presight's cloud compute, GPU resources and secure data environments, alongside its international customer network and distribution channels. The du Ventures structure follows the similar logic, leveraging a corporate partner's operational infrastructure to create a proposition meaningfully more valuable than capital alone.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: du, MEAIN
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