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Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Arabian Business
IHC acquires UAE fintech eFunder, rebrands it as Zelo to tackle $250bn SME funding gap
International Holding Company (IHC) has completed the acquisition of eFunder, the UAE's pioneering private SME financing platform, and announced its rebrand as Zelo. The move signals a major strategic push to close the region's $250bn SME funding gap through technology-driven financial solutions. Fully licensed and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Zelo has been operating since August 2020. The platform delivers fast, receivables-based working capital to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by converting approved invoices into liquidity within 24 to 48 hours. Zelo to offer UAE SME funding To date, Zelo has facilitated more than 9,000 transactions and deployed more than AED735m ($200m) in funding, offering SMEs a powerful alternative to traditional financing and reducing the impact of delayed payments. Following the acquisition, Zelo will operate as part of IHC's broader fintech and future-economy portfolio, with a mandate to scale impact across key sectors such as: Construction Logistics Healthcare Industrial services Oil and gas Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, said: 'SMEs are the backbone of a diversified and future-ready economy. Through our strategic acquisition of Zelo, we are proud to support a platform that solves one of the most fundamental barriers facing SMEs, access to timely working capital. 'This rebrand signals a confident new chapter, one that is fully aligned with IHC's long-term vision of building smart, scalable solutions and dynamic value networks that deliver real and lasting economic impact.' The UAE's SMEs represent over 95 per cent of registered businesses and generate more than 50 per cent of GDP, yet many face payment delays of 60 to 120 days. Zelo's platform eliminates that friction through fully digital onboarding, automated funding decisions, and near-instant capital access. It also dynamically scales funding limits based on business performance. Dhanush Arjun, CEO of Zelo, said: 'Zelo exists to eliminate the wait. The wait for payments, the wait for growth, the wait for opportunity. Our rebrand signals not just a new name, but a renewed commitment to SMEs in the UAE who deserve faster, smarter access to capital. With IHC's strategic backing, we're accelerating that future.' With strong regulatory backing, proven impact, and the strategic support of IHC, Zelo is poised to become a cornerstone of the UAE's SME ecosystem—enabling faster growth, stronger cash flow, and smarter financial agility for thousands of businesses across the region.
Gulf Business
3 hours ago
- Gulf Business
YouGov names Emirates as ‘Most Recommended Global Brand for 2025'
Image: Emirates Most Recommended Global Brands 2025 rankings, becoming the only airline to feature in the global top 10 list. The airline scored 88.4 per cent in recommendation rates, based on over one million customer surveys conducted across 28 markets between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025. The rankings, powered by YouGov BrandIndex, measure the percentage of a brand's customers who would recommend it to others. Emirates outperformed all other brands globally, reinforcing the reach and resonance of its 'Fly Better' brand promise. 'This recognition underscores the deep connection and loyalty we've built with passengers all over the world,' said Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline. 'We will continue to evolve our already exceptional experience and set new benchmarks in travel.' Emirates: Key highlights this year This year, Emirates expanded its network, introduced the A350 to 10 destinations, launched nine reimagined retail stores, and became the world's first Autism Certified Airline. By year-end, Emirates plans to serve over 70 cities with next-generation cabin interiors across its Boeing 777, A380, and A350 fleet, and offer more than two million Premium Economy seats. The airline previously topped YouGov's UAE Recommend 2024 rankings and was named the most satisfying airline among US travellers in YouGov's US airlines report. YouGov, a global analytics firm, bases its rankings on aggregated and weighted scores that reflect actual brand perception and loyalty across diverse demographics. Read:
Gulf Business
4 hours ago
- Gulf Business
IHC rebrands eFunder as Zelo following acquisition
Image: IHC/ X International Holding Company ( The platform has also been rebranded as Zelo, signalling a new chapter for the company. Fully licensed and regulated by ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Zelo has been operating since August 2020, delivering receivables-based funding to address the region's SME working capital gap. It provides fast, digital-first access to liquidity by converting approved invoices into working capital within 24 to 48 hours. Following the acquisition by IHC, Zelo now enters a new chapter as part of the The platform addresses one of the region's most pressing challenges: a nearly$250bn SME credit gap across the Middle East and North Africa. While SMEs account for over 95 per cent of the UAE's registered businesses and generate more than half of national GDP, many face delays of 60 to 120 days in receiving payment for approved invoices, restricting growth and operational agility. Zelo bridges this gap by offering a seamless, technology-driven platform for invoice financing across priority industries, including construction, logistics, healthcare, industrial services, and oil and gas. IHC aims to build smart, scalable solutions and value networks that deliver impact Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, said: 'SMEs are the backbone of a diversified and future-ready economy. Through our strategic acquisition of Zelo, we are proud to support a platform that solves one of the most fundamental barriers facing SMEs, access to timely working capital. 'This rebrand signals a confident new chapter, one that is fully aligned with IHC's long-term vision of building smart, scalable solutions and dynamic value networks that deliver real and lasting economic impact.' Dhanush Arjun, CEO of Zelo, said: 'Zelo exists to eliminate the wait. The wait for payments, the wait for growth, the wait for opportunity. Our rebrand signals not just a new name, but a renewed commitment to SMEs in the UAE who deserve faster, smarter access to capital. With IHC's strategic backing, we're accelerating that future.' Zelo has deployed more than $200m in funding Zelo's platform is purpose-built for speed and simplicity, offering a fully digital onboarding experience, automated funding decisions, and near-instant access to capital, eliminating cash flow delays and accelerating reinvestment into growth. The platform also scales financing limits in line with business performance, creating a responsive and frictionless funding experience. Zelo's operations continue to be led by the co-founders of eFunder – Dhanush Arjun (CEO) and Deepak Sekar (COO), supported by a seasoned group of professionals with deep expertise in fintech, SME lending, and digital infrastructure. To date, the platform has facilitated over 9,000 transactions and deployed more than $200m in funding, a testament to its impact and scalability within the region's SME ecosystem.
