Nawy buys into SmartCrowd, enters UAE market: Cairo-based and e&-backed proptech Nawy acquired a majority stake in the UAE’s first licensed fractional property investment outfit SmartCrowd for an undisclosed sum, according to a joint statement (pdf).

Paving the way for GCC expansion: The move marks Nawy’s first foray into a GCC market, giving it immediate exposure to the UAE’s booming real estate investment market, which is forecast to hit USD 33 bn by 2030 on the back of heightened cross-border participation, tokenization and demand for fractional ownership models, the statement said.

The acquisition comes on the heels of Nawy raising one of the region’s largest series A rounds. Nawy raised USD 52 mn in a funding round led by e& Capital back in May, alongside USD 23 mn in debt financing from Egyptian lenders. The firm said it would use the capital to expand across the Middle East and North Africa, acquire startups, and embed AI across its product stack. Nawy claims its revenues have grown more than 50x in USD terms since 2020 last year with gross merchandise value hitting USD 3 bn to date, up from USD 1.4 bn in 2024.

Not the first acquisition for Nawy this year: The proptech player acquired property management company ROA earlier this year, relaunching it as Nawy Unlocked — a new service “designed to help property owners generate income from unused or unfinished properties.”

About SmartCrowd: Founded in 2018, the Dubai-based firm allows investors from over 130 countries to co-invest in income-generating properties starting from as little as USD 150. It has processed over USD 110 mn in property transactions to date, distributed more than USD 40 mn in rental income and capital gains, and exited more than 50 properties as of June 2025. One of its flagship offerings, Flip, acquires and renovates undervalued assets to resell within 15 months – yielding an average 30% ROI as of June 2025, the statement said.

IN OTHER M&A NEWS-

ADMO becomes majority owner of Lebanon’s Em Sherif: Abu Dhabi-based ADMO Lifestyle Holding acquired a controlling stake in Lebanese fine-dining brand Em Sherif, following an initial investment in October 2023, according to a press release. The stake size and investment value were not disclosed, but the takeover gives ADMO full strategic control and is part of a broader strategy to expand its premium hospitality portfolio. The move is pending regulatory approvals.

Em Sherif’s expansion plans: The brand aims to reach 68 global outlets by 2027, up from the 29 it currently operates in 16 countries, including locations in Abu Dhabi, Monaco, Paris, and Harrods in London. The lifestyle vertical was set up in 2022 as a JV between Alpha Dhabi and Monterock International.

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