Flow48, a UAE-based fintech company specializing in SME lending, has successfully closed a $69 million Series A funding round. The investment, comprising both debt and equity, was led by Breega and saw participation from 212, Speedinvest, Daphni, Endeavor Catalyst, Evolution Ventures, and Plus VC, among others.
With this fresh injection of capital, Flow48 is set to deepen its presence in key markets while expanding into Saudi Arabia—the largest economy in the MENA region. Saudi Arabia’s SME sector remains significantly underserved, and Flow48 aims to bridge this financing gap with its innovative lending solutions.
Expanding Reach and Enhancing Technology
The company plans to further develop its technology by integrating alternative data sources and sophisticated risk assessment tools. These enhancements will enable Flow48 to offer more customized and accessible financial solutions to SMEs, fostering business growth and economic stability.
“We’ve seen tremendous progress in the SME lending landscape, and this additional funding allows us to enhance our services even further,” said Idriss Al Rifai, CEO & Co-Founder of Flow48. “SMEs are the backbone of every economy, creating 90% of jobs and contributing 50% of GDP, yet they remain under-supported. We’re deeply committed to bridging this gap and fostering sustainable growth.”
Building a Smarter Lending Ecosystem
Beyond traditional lending, Flow48 is pioneering data aggregation solutions that consolidate critical insights on SME operations. By analyzing payment behaviors, operational patterns, and sector-specific performance, the company is laying the foundation for smarter, risk-based lending models that drive better financial decision-making.
As MENA governments push to diversify their economies beyond oil, gas, and real estate, Flow48 is playing a pivotal role in empowering SMEs to become key drivers of this transformation.
Strengthening Partnerships and Industry Leadership
The latest funding round has also sparked interest from traditional financial institutions and fintech firms looking to collaborate with Flow48 to enhance SME lending solutions. This reinforces Flow48’s leadership position in the sector and its role in shaping the future of SME financing across MENA.
“The SME lending space is seeing rapid growth across the region, with recent capital raises demonstrating the sector’s enormous potential,” Al Rifai added. “This is a tide that raises all boats. Every success in this space benefits the sector as a whole, and we’re thrilled to contribute to this momentum while working to be the leader in the region.”
Flow48 expressed gratitude to its investors, particularly Breega, for their support. “Having knowledgeable investors on board who bring not only capital but also deep expertise is critical to achieving our vision of becoming the leading SME lender across the region.”
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