Dealfuze launches AI matchmaking platform for MEA founders

Swipe right on dealflow: London-based startup Dealfuze, co-founded by Egyptians Mohamed Al Sheraie and Mostafa Zaghloul, is launching a MEA-focused venture discovery platform targeting capital allocation gaps, according to a press release (pdf). The algorithmic matching platform pairs MEA founders with international and GCC investors based on sector, stage, geography, and traction metrics.

A connectivity issue: Underserved MEA founders lack access to networks connecting them with international and GCC investors seeking to diversify transaction flow, Zaghloul tells EnterpriseAM. Gender disparity compounds the problem, as female founders across Africa secure only 10% of equity funding despite representing over a third of all applicants.

This networking gap is consequential. Over 82% of African VC flows into just four countries, and pre-seed funding accounts for only 1.5% of total African venture investment. Meanwhile, private pre-seed capacity has shrunk by more than 60% after international accelerators withdrew from the continent.

How it works: Think of it as a matchmaking app for founders and investors — but one that makes connections based on industry data and metrics rather than warm introductions. Once both parties express mutual interest, the platform opens a direct communication channel to schedule a call. The company is exploring subscription and AI token consumption revenue models, Zaghloul says.

Quality control: Before a startup becomes visible to investors, the profile goes through a verification step to ensure it is investor-ready, Zaghloul says. Founders upload a pitch deck, which the platform parses into a standardized match card. Dealfuze plans to eventually expand this to include optional live financial, social, and operational data integrations.

Watch this space: The algorithmically curated digital demo day, co-hosted with the regional technology community Builders Tribe, will be hosted on May 20 and feature a cohort of startups, including Saudi-based short-term vacation rental proptech Darent, pitching to institutional funds like Shorooq Partners, Blossom Capital, and Launch Africa Ventures, alongside a broader network of regional and global VCs. Ticket sizes range from USD 50k to over USD 1 mn.