Gainz Raises 7-Figure Pre-Seed Round to Disrupt SME Lending Across the GCC 

UAE-based fintech startup Gainz has closed a 7-figure USD pre-seed round, combining equity and debt, to power its mission of reshaping SME financing across the GCC. The round was led by Antler MENAP, Lithium Holdings, and Eleventh Invest Inc., with participation from a network of regional high-net-worth individuals.

The investment underscores growing market confidence in the Gainz founding team—Shehab Mokhtar and Sherif Abdelaty, two Egyptian serial entrepreneurs with multiple exits—and in their bold vision to close the $200B+ SME financing gap in the region.

Democratizing SME Financing for the Middle East

Founded in December 2024, Gainz is building the region’s first AI-powered, Shariah-compliant crowdfunding platform that allows individuals to invest in vetted SMEs starting from as little as $500. The platform aims to transform private credit into an accessible asset class, offering investors short-tenor, high-yield opportunities while accelerating capital access for small businesses. “We built Gainz to solve two problems—SMEs can’t access fast, affordable financing, and everyday investors are excluded from profitable private credit deals,” said Shehab Mokhtar, Co-founder & CEO. “We’re bridging this gap with a platform that enables both sides to win—quick capital for SMEs, and real returns for investors.”

A Surge in Early Demand

While still in MVP phase, Gainz has already facilitated $400,000 in loans across seven deals in Q2 2025 alone. The traction highlights the unmet demand from SMEs and validates Gainz’s thesis around faster, more inclusive, tech-driven lending. Sherif Abdelaty, Co-founder & COO, noted: “SMEs are the backbone of our economy but are held back by slow, outdated financing processes. Gainz allows them to raise working capital in days, not months—unlocking growth exactly when it’s needed.”

Backed by Top Regional Investors Romain Assuncao, Partner at Antler MENAP, shared: “From the moment Gainz joined our Riyadh cohort in October 2024, it was clear they were exceptional—mission-driven, execution-focused, and tackling a real, underserved market. We’re proud to be among their earliest backers.”

With this funding, Gainz will:

• Scale its platform capabilities to onboard more SMEs and investors

• Expand across the GCC, targeting markets with the most pressing capital needs

• Enhance AI-driven underwriting and compliance to ensure secure, high-quality deal flow

Empowering a New Generation of Investors

Gainz is not just transforming SME lending—it’s democratizing investment access for the region’s emerging retail investor class, especially young professionals and financially conscious individuals seeking passive income. “The future of financing is inclusive, transparent, and digital,” said Shehab. “With Gainz, we’re making it possible for anyone to be a part of the region’s economic engine—by backing the businesses building tomorrow.”

Gainz is now live, offering investors the chance to support pre-vetted SMEs and earn competitive returns—directly from their mobile or laptop.