Gainz closes pre-seed round to expand SME lending solutions

UAE-Based FinTech Gainz Secures Seven-Figure USD Pre-Seed Funding to Tackle SME Financing Gap
Gainz, a financial technology startup based in the UAE, has successfully closed a seven-figure USD pre-seed investment round, structured as a mix of equity and debt. The funding round was led by Antler MENAP, Lithium Holdings, and Eleventh Invest Inc., with additional participation from a diverse group of high-net-worth investors across the region.

This significant investment marks a pivotal step for Gainz in its mission to reshape Shariah-compliant alternative financing for underserved Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the GCC. The strong investor confidence is attributed to the founding team's proven track record, which includes previous successful exits and deep expertise in fintech and venture building, alongside the clear $200 billion+ financing gap faced by SMEs in the region.

Antler MENAP's Endorsement
Romain Assuncao, Partner at Antler MENAP, praised Gainz's founding team, noting their exceptional alignment, mission-driven approach, and commitment to solving a critical challenge for SMEs in the MENA region. He stated, "From the outset, it was clear they were a standout team... We saw not only strong potential but also the capacity for real regional impact. At Antler, we are proud to be among their earliest backers and remain confident in their ability to build something truly transformative."

Gainz's Vision and Early Success
Founded in December 2024 by Shehab Mokhtar and Sherif Abdelaty, both Egyptian serial entrepreneurs with over 20 years of experience in building, scaling, and exiting multiple companies, Gainz aims to reintroduce working capital financing to SMEs. The platform also offers innovative products for individuals to earn lucrative returns on investments with low entry thresholds through crowdfunding.

The founders highlighted their early success, stating, "While testing our MVP, 7 deals were closed in Q2-2025, with disbursed loans of nearly $400,000. We’re witnessing a surge in demand from SMEs across the Middle East, this not only validates our initial market analysis but also gives us a stronger will to move towards the greater opportunity of serving the huge gap across our region."

Empowering SMEs and Everyday Investors
Gainz Financial Technologies is a fintech platform dedicated to democratizing SME financing across the GCC. It leverages AI-powered underwriting, Shariah-compliant structures, and offers investment opportunities for everyday investors. With a focus on financial inclusion, regulatory alignment, and technology-driven access, Gainz aspires to become the region’s go-to platform for alternative credit.

Their mission is straightforward: "Empower SMEs to scale with speed, while allowing individuals and retail investors access to short-tenor, high-yield opportunities starting from $500." This low entry threshold simplifies the investment decision and facilitates passive income, making private credit an accessible asset class for everyone, not just a select few.

Users can now begin their investment journey by sharing growth routes and profit margins with pre-vetted SMEs simply by logging onto Gainz.

Shehab Mokhtar, Co-Founder & CEO, remarked, "Investment facilitation and reshaping with special focus on individuals and busy professionals has always been a clear untapped opportunity... We've seen it, realized how big it can grow, and how we can transform this opportunity into a great financial inclusion and financial freedom cornerstone. This is when we decided to build Gainz.”

Sherif Abdelaty, Co-Founder & COO, added that while SMEs are the driving force behind economic growth in the MENA region, they face significant challenges accessing financial resources. Traditional lending processes are often outdated and manual, taking months for loan approvals. Gainz is transforming this by enabling companies to launch working capital financing campaigns within minutes, securing funding within days. This innovation empowers SMEs to focus on growth, eliminating the inefficiencies of conventional fundraising.