Qlub, the Dubai-based startup that’s digitizing restaurant payments across the Middle East and beyond, has raised $30 million in Series B funding to accelerate its global expansion.
The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners, a leading MENA-focused VC firm, and Cherry Ventures, with participation from the UAE’s e& (formerly Etisalat), sovereign investment fund Mubadala Investments, and China’s Legend Capital.
Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has built a QR-based payment solution that eliminates the friction from restaurant dining. Customers simply scan a code at their table to access digital menus, place orders, and pay their bills without waiting for staff or handling physical payment terminals.
The startup has gained significant traction since its launch, with its platform now used by over 3,000 restaurants in more than ten markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Australia, and the United States. Qlub claims to process billions of dollars in annual payment volume and serve millions of customers each month, positioning it as one of the leading players in the space.
“From the very beginning, we saw in Qlub more than just a payments solution—we saw a new infrastructure for how hospitality should work in a digital-first world. Eyad and Mahmoud and the team have consistently proven that they can blend product innovation with deep market understanding, unlocking new behaviour at the intersection of tech and experience,” stated Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq.
Filip Dames, Founding Partner of Cherry Ventures, who also led the company’s seed round in 2022, said, “From day one, Qlub has shown how technology can simplify and modernise hospitality.”
According to the startup, Qlub’s restaurant partners report 80% faster checkout times, a 300% increase in tips likely driven by suggested tip amounts in the digital interface, get seven times more positive Google reviews, and a reduction in cashier staff by about one-third. Its noteworthy clients include international chains such as Wagamama, Sushi Samba, and La Petite Maison.
“Our vision is simple: Qlub makes paying at restaurants ten times faster—and that elevates the entire dining experience,” said co-CEO Eyad Alkassar. “Why would any restaurant, anywhere in the world, choose to operate without it?”
The new funding will fuel Qlub’s expansion into new geographic markets while enhancing its product with advanced analytics capabilities. The startup also plans to deepen integrations with existing hospitality platforms, potentially positioning itself as infrastructure for the restaurant industry’s digital transformation.
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