du Launches $50 Million Venture Fund to Back UAE Digital Startups

du,  the leading telecom and digital services provider, announced the launch of du Ventures, a $50 million corporate venture fund developed in partnership with Shorooq  and designed to accelerate the next wave of digital innovations across the UAE and the broader region. The initiative marks a significant milestone in du’s evolution beyond traditional telecom services into a comprehensive digital ecosystem player.

du Ventures will partner with promising startups and founders who are transforming emerging technologies into real-world solutions, focusing on companies across fintech, AI, cybersecurity, cloud, loyalty, gaming, enterprise solutions, and customer experience technologies.

“du Ventures represents our commitment to driving meaningful digital transformation while contributing to the UAE’s ambitions to build a globally competitive digital economy. Through this platform, we are investing in technologies and founders that align closely with our strategic priorities. Leveraging du’s scale, infrastructure, and enterprise reach with startup innovation, we aim to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies and create long term value for our customers, shareholders, and the wider economy.”

– Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO, du

The fund will be managed by Shorooq, a leading multi-strategy investment firm that will prioritize investments that fit du’s corporate strategy, with a significant share of investments dedicated specifically to UAE-based ventures.

“Partnering with du on this initiative is a natural fit for Shorooq. We share a common belief that the region’s most promising startups deserve access to both capital and the strategic infrastructure that du can offer. du Ventures will enable us to bridge the gap between innovation and scale, empowering founders to bring transformative solutions to market faster.”

– Mahmoud Adi, founding partner, Shorooq