IHC Acquires eFunder, Relaunches Platform as Zelo to Enhance SME Financing in UAE 

International Holding Company (IHC), a global investment firm focused on creating dynamic value networks, has finalized the acquisition of eFunder, the UAE’s leading digital financing platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Following the acquisition, the platform has been rebranded as Zelo, marking a new phase aimed at broadening access to working capital and supporting the growth of high-potential businesses across the region.

Licensed and regulated by ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Zelo has been operational since August 2020, providing SMEs with receivables-based funding. The platform enables businesses to convert approved invoices into liquidity within 24–48 hours, offering a fast, technology-driven solution to the region’s SME credit gap, which is estimated at nearly USD 250 billion across MENA.

SMEs represent over 95% of registered businesses in the UAE and contribute more than half of national GDP. However, delayed payments—often ranging from 60 to 120 days—restrict their growth and operational flexibility. Zelo addresses this challenge by offering seamless, automated invoice financing for key sectors, including construction, logistics, healthcare, industrial services, and oil & gas.

Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, commented: “SMEs are the backbone of a resilient and diversified economy. Through the acquisition and rebranding of Zelo, we are enabling a platform that tackles one of the most critical barriers for SMEs: access to timely working capital. This aligns with IHC’s vision of creating smart, scalable solutions that generate meaningful economic impact.”

Dhanush Arjun, CEO of Zelo, added: “Zelo is about removing delays—the wait for payments, for growth, and for opportunity. With our new identity and IHC’s strategic support, we are accelerating faster, smarter access to capital for UAE SMEs.”

Zelo’s platform is designed for speed and simplicity, featuring digital onboarding, automated funding decisions, and near-instant access to capital. The system scales financing limits based on business performance, providing a flexible, frictionless experience that allows companies to reinvest in growth without cash flow interruptions.

The platform continues to be led by Zelo co-founders Dhanush Arjun (CEO) and Deepak Sekar (COO), alongside a team of experienced professionals in fintech, SME lending, and digital infrastructure. Since inception, Zelo has facilitated over 9,000 transactions, deploying more than USD 200 million in funding, demonstrating its impact and scalability within the UAE’s SME ecosystem.