Oraseya Capital is the venture capital fund of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). It manages AED 500 million (about $136 million) and invests in tech startups from pre-seed to Series B. Every company it backs must have an existing tie to Dubai or the UAE.
By deal count, it has been MAGNiTT's most active investor in the UAE for two years running. That activity matters for early-stage founders, because Oraseya invests from pre-seed and runs the SANDBOX accelerator for pre-seed and seed startups.
Founders can reach it in two ways: the SANDBOX accelerator, or a direct pitch. Choosing the right route for your stage is the first decision. This guide covers the fund, what it invests in, its portfolio, and how to pitch it.
Oraseya Capital in 30 Seconds
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Owner | Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ): Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai CommerCity |
| Launched | November 2023 (succeeding Dtec Ventures) |
| Fund size | AED 500 million (about $136 million) |
| Stages | Pre-seed to Series B |
| Ticket range | AED 550,000 (about $150,000) to about AED 11 million (about $3 million), as reported in September 2026 |
| Sectors | Sector-agnostic tech; fintech and enterprise software led its 2025 deals |
| Hard requirement | An existing tie to Dubai and the UAE |
| Activity | 25 deals in 2025 (MAGNiTT); 15 startups in H1 2026 (DIEZ) |
| Entry routes | SANDBOX accelerator (pre-seed to seed) or a direct "Pitch to us" submission |
| Base | Dtec, Dubai Silicon Oasis |
Who Owns Oraseya Capital, and How Big Is the Fund?
Oraseya Capital belongs to DIEZ, the authority behind three Dubai free zones: Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai CommerCity. DIEZ launched Oraseya in November 2023 with a AED 500 million fund for tech startups from pre-seed to Series B.
Oraseya didn't start from zero. It took over from Dtec Ventures, the investment arm of Dtec, which had been backing startups at Dubai Silicon Oasis since around 2019. That explains why some older holdings, such as enterprise AI company Writer, appear in Oraseya's portfolio news despite pre-dating the fund.
Oraseya was set up as DIEZ's venture capital arm, which gives the fund a direct link to Dubai's integrated free-zone network. That context helps explain its UAE-centric mandate.
Who Runs It
Oraseya's team page lists these key people as of September 2026:
| Name | Role at Oraseya | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Julien Plouzeau | Senior Partner | Leads investments and the portfolio; in the UAE ecosystem since 2012; previously Dtec Ventures |
| Hassan AlFarsi | Partner | EVP Corporate Finance & Treasury at DIEZ |
| Omar Khan | Partner | Manages core deal flow, Seed to Series B |
| Elliott Denham | Head of Programs | Leads SANDBOX |
| Mohanad Elhartany | Senior Investment Associate | Principal investments, Seed to Series B |
| Chiara Somma | Investment Associate | Venture investments, Seed to Series B |
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, is listed among Oraseya's directors and quoted as Chairman on its homepage.
What Oraseya Capital Invests In
Oraseya's stated investment approach comes down to six points:
- Stage: pre-seed and seed through Series A and Series B
- Geography: UAE-centric, backing startups with an existing tie to Dubai and the UAE
- Sectors: sector-agnostic within technology
- Founders: strong teams with excellent execution and decisiveness
- Evidence: a focus on customer validation
- Involvement: active engagement through regular check-ins, strategy sessions and introductions
In practice, its 2025 deals leaned toward fintech and enterprise software, with five deals in each category. Portfolio news since 2025 also shows proptech (Takeem, Tern, Prop-AI, Tribe), AI commerce (Revora, Yozo.ai), HR tech (Qureos, RemotePass) and healthtech (Valeo Health).
Cheque Sizes
In September 2026, Oraseya described its range through the SANDBOX Investment Program as AED 550,000 to about AED 11 million, roughly $150,000 to $3 million.
The bottom of that range matches the standard $150,000 SAFE for SANDBOX Phase 2 startups. The top reflects larger direct cheques into Series A and B rounds.
Recent deals show Oraseya in two roles:
- Co-lead: Revora's $2 million seed and a Silkhaus growth round
- Participant: XSquare's pre-seed (led by Raed Ventures), NymCard's $33 million Series B (led by QED) and RemotePass's $17.4 million Series B (led by EBRD Venture Capital)
Be clear from the start whether you are asking Oraseya to lead, co-lead or participate.
What "a Tie to Dubai and the UAE" Means in Practice
The official requirement. Oraseya's investment criteria require an existing tie to Dubai and the UAE. Its public materials don't give a single exhaustive definition of what counts.
What SANDBOX has said. When SANDBOX was revamped under Oraseya, the programme said it would enrol companies with a specific interest in the UAE: expanding into, trading through, or selling to people in the country.
What the portfolio suggests (our analysis). Holdings include Saudi-headquartered erad and Calo and Egypt-founded iSchool, alongside many Dubai-based companies. That suggests a UAE headquarters is not necessarily required.
Oraseya Capital's Portfolio: How Many Deals, Really?
Published portfolio figures range from 36 to 84. The figures are not directly comparable, because the databases count different things at different dates:
| Source | Figure | Date | What It Counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracxn | 36 companies | February 2026 | Unique portfolio companies |
| PitchBook | 84 investments | September 2026 | Investment transactions, including follow-on rounds |
The most likely explanation is counting companies versus counting deals. Every follow-on round, and every SANDBOX cheque, adds a deal without adding a new company. Databases also treat pre-2023 Dtec Ventures holdings differently.
The more useful measure for founders is recent pace. Here are the published investment activity figures, by reporting source:
| Period | Deals | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 (16 through SANDBOX, 8 direct) | Oraseya, as reported January 2025 |
| 2024 | 21 | MAGNiTT count, as reported May 2026 |
| 2025 | 25 | MAGNiTT 2025 Most Active Investors report |
| H1 2026 | 15 startups | DIEZ H1 2026 results |
The two 2024 figures differ because Oraseya counts its own transactions, while MAGNiTT applies its own methodology. Use the MAGNiTT series if you want to compare Oraseya with other investors.
Rankings and Recognition
- Most active UAE investor by deal count, 2024 and 2025 (MAGNiTT), and third most active in MENA for 2025
- Second most active Series A investor in MENA for 2024, per Oraseya's own summary of MAGNiTT data
- Venture Capital Firm of the Year at the Entrepreneur Middle East Leadership Awards 2025
These rankings measure the number of deals, not returns or deployed capital. They tell you Oraseya is actively writing cheques, not how large those cheques are.
Notable Portfolio Companies
The full list is on the official Oraseya Capital portfolio page. The examples below are drawn from Oraseya's portfolio news:
| Company | Sector | Latest Reported Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| XSquare | B2B payments | Pre-seed led by Raed Ventures, with Oraseya participating (August 2026); a SANDBOX 2026 startup |
| Takeem | Proptech (rent guarantees) | Investment and partnership from Dubizzle Group (July 2026) |
| Revora | AI conversational commerce | $2M seed co-led by i2i Ventures and Oraseya (June 2026) |
| RemotePass | HR and payroll tech | $17.4M Series B led by EBRD Venture Capital (May 2026) |
| AlgoDriven | Automotive data | Acquired by Emergence in an all-cash deal (February 2026) |
| Qureos | AI hiring | $5M round (February 2026); a SANDBOX alumnus |
| NymCard | Fintech infrastructure | $33M Series B led by QED Investors (March 2025) |
| Calo | Foodtech | $39M Series B extension, with Oraseya as a new investor (July 2025) |
| Writer | Enterprise AI | $200M Series C at a $1.9B valuation (November 2024) |
XSquare shows the pipeline at work. It was selected for SANDBOX in mid-2026, then raised a pre-seed round a few weeks later with Oraseya participating. That is the SANDBOX-to-portfolio path the fund is built around.
How to Pitch Oraseya Capital: Two Routes
| Route 1: SANDBOX | Route 2: Direct Pitch | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Pre-seed to seed startups with an MVP | Startups raising Seed, Series A or Series B, often with a lead investor lined up |
| How to enter | Apply through the SANDBOX application (rolling review, cohort intakes) | Submit through "Pitch to us" on Oraseya's contact page |
| Cheque | $150,000 SAFE for Phase 2 startups ($110,000 cash + $40,000 programme fee) | Up to about AED 11 million (about $3 million), usually alongside other investors |
| Process | Screening call, Selection Committee, 8-week Phase 1, Investment Committee, 12-week Phase 2 | Not publicly specified; confirm the process with Oraseya |
| Support | Structured programme, mentoring, $1M+ partner credits, Demo Day | Active portfolio engagement, strategy sessions and introductions |
The two routes are mainly differentiated by stage and fundraising context. SANDBOX is designed for pre-seed to seed technology entrepreneurs, while Oraseya's direct investing extends through Series B. SANDBOX's own FAQ points founders heading toward Series A to pitch Oraseya directly.
We cover the accelerator route in full in our Dtec SANDBOX guide.
There is also a third, occasional route. Ecosystem partners run pitch sessions that feed into Oraseya's pipeline. In September 2026, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy brought seven startups to pitch the Oraseya team, and several moved on to the next evaluation stage. Watch Dubai Chamber and Dubai Founders HQ events for these.
What to Prepare Before Pitching Oraseya Capital
Build your materials around the four things Oraseya says it looks for:
1. Your UAE Tie, Stated in One Line
- Examples: "UAE-licensed, 60% of revenue from UAE customers" or "Launching in Dubai in Q1, with three signed pilots."
- Our advice: put it near the start of your deck, not in the appendix.
2. Customer Validation
- Oraseya names this explicitly.
- Show paying customers, pilots, retention cohorts or letters of intent, each with dates.
3. Team and Execution
- Show who does what, who is full-time, and one or two examples of shipping fast.
- Oraseya says it backs teams with "excellent execution and decisiveness."
4. The Round
- State the amount, the instrument (SAFE or priced), who is leading, and the use of funds.
- Say what size of cheque you want from Oraseya. Its range runs from about $150,000 to $3 million, so be specific.
Also Prepare
- A 10–15 slide deck and a short data room (financials, cap table, key contracts)
- A clear answer to why Oraseya specifically: its DIEZ free-zone network, co-investor relationships or sector fit
What Happens After You Pitch
Oraseya doesn't publish response times for direct pitches. Its public process has three parts: it runs an investment committee, it co-invests heavily, and it engages actively after investing through check-ins and introductions.
For SANDBOX, the process is documented in full. It starts with a screening call and a Selection Committee pitch. Then comes an 8-week equity-free Phase 1, followed by an Investment Committee decision on the $150,000 SAFE.
Common Mistakes Founders Make with Oraseya
- Skipping SANDBOX at pre-seed. SANDBOX is designed for pre-seed to seed technology entrepreneurs, and 16 of Oraseya's 24 reported 2024 investments came through it. Founders at that stage should evaluate SANDBOX before using the direct route.
- A weak UAE link. "We plan to raise in Dubai" is not a UAE tie. Show customers, a licence, a team or a concrete launch plan in the UAE.
- Not understanding Oraseya's role in the round. Recent transactions show both co-lead roles and participation alongside other leads. State clearly which role you are proposing.
- Reading "most active" as "easiest". A high deal count doesn't mean low selectivity. The eighth SANDBOX cohort selected 16 of 771 applicants.
- Quoting old figures. Pitching with outdated portfolio numbers or team names signals weak homework. Check the People and News pages first.
Oraseya Compared with Other Dubai-Linked Early-Stage Investors
| Investor | Backer | Stages | Typical Entry Route | UAE Requirement | Typical First Cheque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oraseya Capital | DIEZ (Dubai government) | Pre-seed to Series B | SANDBOX or direct pitch | Existing UAE tie required | $150,000 SAFE via SANDBOX; up to about $3M direct |
| Antler | Private global VC | Pre-idea to pre-seed | Residency application | In-person residency in Dubai | $180,000 for 11% (MENAP terms) |
For the wider list of investors, see our guide to pre-seed funding in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
What is Oraseya Capital?
Oraseya Capital is the venture capital fund of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). It manages AED 500 million and invests in tech startups from pre-seed to Series B that have a tie to Dubai and the UAE.
How big is Oraseya Capital's fund?
AED 500 million, about $136 million, announced at launch in November 2023.
How many companies has Oraseya Capital invested in?
It depends on the counting method. Tracxn listed 36 portfolio companies in February 2026. PitchBook listed 84 investments, including follow-on rounds, in September 2026. By year, MAGNiTT counted 25 deals in 2025, and DIEZ reported 15 new investments in H1 2026.
How much does Oraseya Capital invest per startup?
From about AED 550,000 (150,000)toaboutAED11million(3 million). The $150,000 figure is the standard SANDBOX Phase 2 SAFE.
Does Oraseya Capital invest in startups outside the UAE?
Its criteria require a tie to Dubai and the UAE. The portfolio includes Saudi-headquartered and Egypt-founded companies, so a UAE headquarters does not appear to be required. Confirm eligibility for your company with Oraseya.
How do I pitch Oraseya Capital?
Pre-seed to seed founders usually apply to SANDBOX. Later-stage founders submit through the “Pitch to us” form on Oraseya’s contact page.
Is Oraseya Capital the same as Dtec Ventures?
Oraseya succeeded Dtec Ventures as DIEZ’s venture arm in November 2023. It is based at Dtec in Dubai Silicon Oasis and runs the SANDBOX accelerator.
Does Oraseya Capital lead funding rounds?
Sometimes. It co-led Revora’s seed and a Silkhaus growth round. It has also participated in rounds led by others, including XSquare, NymCard and RemotePass.
Final takeaway
Oraseya Capital is a Dubai-based institutional investor. It invests from pre-seed through Series B and runs SANDBOX for pre-seed and seed technology startups. Its criteria require a tie to Dubai and the UAE.
Match the route to your stage. SANDBOX is the main door at pre-seed and seed. A direct pitch makes sense once you are raising a round with a lead in place. Either way, lead with customer validation and a concrete UAE tie.
If you are earlier than that, start with our guide to pre-seed funding in Dubai. For the ecosystem around Oraseya, see our explainer on Dubai Silicon Oasis.
