AI
Saudi Arabia
UAE
EgyptUAE Fintech Startup Flow48 Secures $69M to Fuel SME Growth in MENA
2 min
Flow48 raised $69 million in a mix of debt and equity in its Series A round.
The funding was led by Paris-based Breega, with participation from Evolution Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst, Daphni, Speedinvest, 212, and Plus VC.
The startup offers fast, revenue-based financing, providing up to $20 million to SMEs based on earnings and invoices.
AI-powered risk assessment allows for fund disbursement within 48 hours, making financing more accessible for small businesses.
Flow48 plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and scale its technology-driven financial services.
Dubai-based fintech startup Flow48 has secured a $69 million funding boost in its latest Series A round, further cementing its position as a game-changer in SME financing across emerging markets. The funding, a combination of equity and debt, was led by Breega, a prominent European venture capital firm, alongside key investors such as Evolution Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst, Daphni, Speedinvest, 212, and Plus VC.
Since its inception in 2022, Flow48 has focused on revolutionizing SME financing with its revenue-based lending model. Unlike traditional bank loans, which often involve cumbersome paperwork and strict collateral requirements, Flow48 offers a fast, data-driven alternative—providing businesses with up to $20 million in funding based on their earnings and outstanding invoices.
What sets Flow48 apart is its AI-powered risk assessment engine, which evaluates a company’s financial health and cash flow patterns in real time. This allows for fund disbursement within 48 hours, a game-changing approach in a region where SMEs frequently struggle with delayed access to capital.
The fresh influx of funding will fuel Flow48’s expansion into Saudi Arabia, one of the fastest-growing fintech hubs in the Middle East. CEO Idriss Al Rifai, who previously founded Fetchr, highlighted the company's broader vision:
"SMEs are the backbone of any economy, driving over 90% of job creation and contributing significantly to GDP. Yet, they remain massively underserved when it comes to financing. At Flow48, we are committed to closing this gap by offering fast, fair, and flexible funding solutions."
Flow48 currently operates in the UAE and South Africa and has already facilitated significant capital deployment for SMEs across diverse industries. With this latest funding round, the company aims to scale its technology, refine its risk assessment models, and deepen its impact in the MENA region.
As fintech adoption accelerates in the Middle East, Flow48’s growth signals a broader shift toward AI-driven financial solutions that prioritize accessibility and efficiency. Investors and industry analysts alike are watching closely as the company continues its rapid expansion, reshaping SME financing across emerging markets.
