Dubai-based fintech Gainz has closed a seven-figure USD pre-seed round, structured as a mix of equity and debt, led by Antler MENAP, Lithium Holdings, and Eleventh Invest Inc., with participation from a diverse network of regional high-net-worth investors, it announced on Sunday.
Founded in December 2024 by Egyptian serial entrepreneurs Shehab Mokhtar and Sherif Abdelaty, Gainz operates a Shariah-compliant crowdfunding platform that enables individuals to invest in vetted SMEs. The startup aims to democratize working capital financing by addressing the large financing gap facing SMEs in the region.
The funding will support platform scaling, regional expansion across the GCC, and continued innovation in alternative lending solutions. During its MVP testing phase in Q2 2025, Gainz closed seven deals with disbursed loans totaling nearly $400,000.
Both founders bring over 20 years of experience building, scaling, and exiting companies across different industries. The platform allows individuals to invest in SMEs with low entry thresholds starting from $500, making private credit accessible beyond traditional elite investors.
“While testing our MVP, seven deals were closed in Q2-2025, with disbursed loans of nearly $400,000. We’re witnessing a surge in demand from SMEs across the Middle East, this not only validates our initial market analysis but also gives us a stronger will to move towards the greater opportunity of serving the huge gap across our region,” said the founders.
Romain Assuncao, Partner at Antler MENAP, commented: “When the Gainz founding team joined our Riyadh-based cohort in October 2024, it was clear they were a standout team—highly aligned, mission-driven, and committed to solving a critical challenge for SMEs across the MENA region. At Antler, we are proud to be among their earliest backers and remain confident in their ability to build something truly transformative.”
The platform addresses a key pain point in traditional SME lending, where loan approvals typically take two to four months. Through Gainz’s streamlined digital platform, businesses can launch working capital financing campaigns within minutes and secure funding within days.
“Investment facilitation and reshaping with special focus on individuals and busy professionals has always been a clear untapped opportunity,” said Shehab Mokhtar, Co-Founder and CEO. “This is when we decided to build Gainz.”
Sherif Abdelaty, Co-Founder and COO, added: “SMEs serve as the driving force behind economic growth across the MENA region, yet they continue to face significant challenges accessing financial resources. Gainz is transforming this landscape by enabling companies to launch working capital financing campaigns within minutes, eliminating the inefficiencies of conventional fundraising procedures.”
The platform’s mission centers on empowering SMEs to scale with speed while providing individuals and retail investors access to short-tenor, high-yield investment opportunities, positioning private credit as an accessible asset class for broader participation in the region’s economic growth.
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