Stryde buys Qora 71 + rebrands it as new VC arm: DFSA-regulated digital investment outfit Stryde has acquired Abu Dhabi-born angel investment network Qora71 in a share swap, marking its foray into tech investing, Qora71 Founder Youssef Salem told EnterpriseAM. The takeover gives Stryde, which is based in Dubai, a foothold in Abu Dhabi, while also granting Qora71 access to a larger licensed investment infrastructure.

The details: Qora 71 will be rebranded as Stryde 71, becoming a dedicated venture capital arm under Stryde’s umbrella, according to a joint statement (pdf). It will offer streamlined access to syndicated tech and early-stage investment channels. Meanwhile, Qora 71 founder Yousef Salem will join Stryde as a partner, bringing his network and expertise to the newly formed vertical.

Transaction mechanism: Stryde bought 100% of Qora71’s shares from its founder Youssef Salem in exchange for an undisclosed amount of newly-issued shares in the Dubai-based firm, Salem told EnterpriseAM.

In the pipeline: The rebranded entity has a pipeline of over USD 1 mn of transactions, targeting one investment per month, according to Salem. The firm says it is sector agnostic, and has been seeing activity in AI, biotech, and digital asset startups.

About the firms: Founded in October 2024 as a regulated private market investment platform, Stryde provides early-stage funding options to startup founders in MENA with a minimum investment of USD 1k, with the aim of increasing access to private equity and venture capital investments. Qora71 currently boasts a network of 130 angel investors and has facilitated more than 50 transactions in startups, deploying some USD 2 mn in capital within five months.

ICYMI- Qora 71 was among the four angel investor networks selected in December to receive AED 150k in support from Hub71 aimed at expanding their investor base and establishing legal investment structures. Since then, Qora71 has led a seed round for eVoost AI, its first major transaction, participated in Lumi AI ’s seed round, and joined the Series A funding round for Toronto-based Basetwo.

IN OTHER QORA71 NEWS-

Qora71 backs Roomz.rent in pre-seed round: Qora71 led a pre-seed funding round of an undisclosed sum for co-living startup Roomz.rent, alongside a group of angel investors, according to a company statement (pdf). “Roomz.rent is tackling one of the biggest and most broken categories in MENA, urban rentals,” Qora71 Director Youssef Salem said, citing the startup’s early traction and “discipline we usually see at a later stage than pre-seed.”

About Roomz.rent: Launched in November 2024 by Mohamed Ayman (LinkedIn), Yasser El Sarrag (LinkedIn), and Ahmed Mandour, (LinkedIn), the platform offers fully managed, furnished rentals with minimum stays of three months. It says it has already signed over USD 100k worth of contracts, with tenants averaging nine-month stays. Roomz.rents plans to grow its operations in Cairo and lay the groundwork for future regional expansion.

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