Gainz, a financial technology startup based in the UAE, has successfully raised a 7-figure amount in US dollars in its pre-seed funding round. The investment includes a mix of both equity and debt.
The funding round was led by Antler MENAP, Lithium Holdings, and Eleventh Invest Inc., along with support from several wealthy investors from around the region.
This milestone starts an exciting journey and an essential step toward creating a Shariah-compliant alternative financing solution for underserved small and medium businesses across the GCC.
The investment shows strong confidence in the founding team, which has a successful history and deep knowledge of fintech and startup building. It also highlights the $200 billion+ financing gap that small and medium businesses face in the region.
“When the Gainz founding team joined our Riyadh-based cohort in October 2024, and as they successfully navigated our rigorous qualification, vetting, and assessment processes. From the outset, they were clearly a standout team—highly aligned, mission-driven, and committed to solving a critical challenge for SMEs across the MENA region. As we watched them progress and shape their vision we saw strong potential and the capacity for real regional impact. At Antler, we are proud to be among their earliest backers and remain confident in their ability to build something truly transformative.”
Gainz was founded in December 2024 by Shehab Mokhtar and Sherif Abdelaty, two Egyptian entrepreneurs who have spent the last 20 years building, growing, and selling several companies in different industries. They aim to bring new working capital financing options to small and medium businesses in the region. They also want to offer individuals innovative products that let them earn good returns on their investments through crowdfunding, with low amounts needed to get started.
About Gainz
Gainz Financial Technologies is a fintech platform that helps small and medium businesses (SMEs) in the GCC get financing more easily. They use AI to assess loans, follow Shariah rules, and offer investment chances to everyday people. They aim to make finance fair and easy to access while following the rules and using innovative technology.
Gainz wants to be the top platform in the region for alternative loans. Their mission is simple: “Help SMEs proliferate and let regular people invest in short-term, high-return opportunities starting from just $500.”
This low minimum investment makes it easier for people to start investing and earn extra income without a lot of money. Gainz is making private credit available to everyone, not just the wealthy.
“As we build our presence across the GCC, we remain laser-focused on financial inclusion, regulatory compliance, and delivering value to SMEs and investors.”
“Investment facilitation and reshaping with a special focus on individuals and busy professionals has always been a clear untapped opportunity. We’ve seen it, realized how big it can grow, and how we can transform this opportunity into a great financial inclusion and financial freedom cornerstone. This was when we decided to build Gainz,” says Shehab, Co-Founder & CEO.
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