Latest news with #MahmoudFouz
CairoScene
a day ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Qlub Raises $30 Million to Expand Contactless Restaurant Payments
Restaurant payments platform Qlub has raised $30 million in fresh funding to expand its reach and develop analytics tools, with participation from Mubadala, Shorooq Partners, and other investors. Jul 23, 2025 Qlub, a Dubai-based startup transforming how diners pay at restaurants, has raised $30 million in a funding round backed by regional and international investors. The round was led by Middle East tech investor Shorooq Partners, with participation from Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, e&, Cherry Ventures, and China's Legend Capital. Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub allows customers to scan a QR code, view the menu, split the bill, and pay instantly without needing to download the app. Its solution integrates with leading restaurant point-of-sale systems including Foodics and Oracle Micros. The company currently operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and South Korea. Qlub says the new capital will support its international expansion and help develop advanced data tools for restaurant operators. Its client portfolio includes major dining chains such as Paul, Wagamama, and Sushi Samba. With this latest round, Qlub has raised a total of $72 million since its launch. The company aims to simplify dining payments worldwide while offering restaurants real-time insights and operational efficiency.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qlub fuels global expansion plans via $30mln funding co-led by e&
UAE – Qlub, the ultra-fast payment system in restaurants, has raised $30 million in a new funding round to fuel global expansion, according to a press release. The transaction was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with participation from e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital. Qlub will use the funding to enhance product analytics and integrate its solutions into the hospitality ecosystem. Clients report 300% more tips, 80% faster checkout, and significant labor savings. Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has rapidly emerged as a pioneer in the contactless payment space, offering QR-based solutions that allow diners to view menus, place orders, and settle bills seamlessly using their smartphones The platform eliminates the need for physical menus and traditional payment methods, which boosts operational efficiency for restaurants and provides a frictionless experience for customers. Its operations cover the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and Korea. Qlub is now processing a few billion USD annually and serves millions of customers monthly, making it the leading QR payment solution for restaurants globally. Eyad Alkassar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Qlub, mentioned: 'Our vision is simple: Qlub makes paying at restaurants ten times faster—and that elevates the entire dining experience. Why would any restaurant, anywhere in the world, choose to operate without it?"
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Qlub Secures $30 Million To Expand Globally
Fintech firm Qlub has raised $30 million in a funding round aimed at accelerating its global expansion and deepening its technological capabilities. The Dubai-based startup, known for digitising the dining experience, has drawn strong investor interest as it scales operations across Asia, the Middle East, and other international markets. The funding round was co-led by UAE-headquartered Shorooq Partners and Berlin-based Cherry Ventures, marking a cross-border vote of confidence in Qlub's model. It also drew participation from key regional and global investors including Mubadala Investments, telecom operator e&, and China's Legend Capital. The new capital injection will support Qlub's plans to grow its footprint in existing markets and enter new geographies with high consumer adoption of mobile technology. Company executives confirmed that a portion of the funds will also go towards research and development to enhance the platform's features and user interface, as competition intensifies in the contactless payments and restaurant tech segments. ADVERTISEMENT Founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub's core offering centres around allowing restaurant-goers to scan a QR code, view the menu, place their orders, and settle their bills—entirely through their smartphones. The solution eliminates the need for physical menus or waiting for the bill, a feature that gained strong traction during the pandemic and has continued to see widespread adoption. Qlub's technology is now present in over 3,000 restaurants across a wide range of markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and South Korea. Its growing restaurant base reflects the increasing demand for seamless, digital-first dining experiences in both mature and emerging economies. The company's rapid scaling has been underpinned by a clear focus on efficiency and user convenience. Qlub's interface requires no app download, allowing customers to interact directly via web-based QR codes. For restaurants, the system integrates with existing point-of-sale infrastructure and offers data insights on user behaviour, order preferences, and turnaround times. Executives have noted that the company's expansion into markets like Brazil and Australia illustrates the versatility of its product beyond the Middle East and Asia. Despite the diversity of markets, Qlub has identified common challenges in traditional restaurant payment processes and leveraged technology to simplify them. The entry of Mubadala and e& into the investor pool reflects rising interest from institutional players in homegrown fintech platforms. Both entities have been backing regional startups as part of broader diversification strategies aimed at building innovation-led digital economies. Their participation is also expected to provide strategic synergies as Qlub seeks deeper integration in key verticals, such as digital wallets and telecom-powered payment systems. Legend Capital's involvement adds a China-based backer to Qlub's investor base, opening potential gateways into East Asian markets. Qlub's existing presence in Hong Kong and South Korea has shown strong user engagement, with plans underway to increase the density of its partner restaurants in those locations. Cherry Ventures, one of the round's lead investors, has a track record of supporting early-stage tech companies with high-growth potential. Its involvement signals increasing European interest in MENA-born startups that show scalability and strong fundamentals. Alkassar and Fouz, who previously founded and led successful ventures, have built Qlub on the premise that mobile-led consumer journeys are not a luxury but a necessity for the modern restaurant. Both founders have emphasised that the new funding will also go into building local teams and customising features to suit specific market needs. The digital payments and restaurant tech sector has seen intensified competition, particularly from players in Southeast Asia and Latin America, where startups like Tabit, Sunday, and Mr Yum are also offering QR-based ordering platforms. However, Qlub's plug-and-play model, multilingual interface, and merchant analytics dashboard have helped it gain traction quickly and sustain user engagement. Qlub is now actively exploring partnerships with major foodservice chains, aiming to scale more rapidly in urban hubs and tourism-driven destinations. The company also plans to invest in AI-enabled features that personalise the customer experience, such as dynamic menu recommendations and voice-based ordering.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mubadala, e&, Shorooq back Dubai dining platform Qlub's $30mln funding
Dubai-based fintech Qlub has secured $30 million in a funding round jointly led by the UAE's Shorooq and Germany's Cherry Ventures. The round also saw backing from the UAE's Mubadala Investments, Abu Dhabi-listed e&, and Legend Capital of China. The new capital will fuel Qlub's international growth ambitions and enhance its digital product offerings. Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub enables diners to scan QR codes to browse menus, order meals, and make payments directly from their smartphones. Qlub's platform is currently used in more than 3,000 restaurants across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and South Korea. While no financial details were disclosed, the startup said it facilitates transactions 'worth several billion dollars annually and caters to millions of users each month'. (Editing by Seban Scaria
Wamda
3 days ago
- Business
- Wamda
Qlub closes $30 million round backed by Shorooq, e&, and Mubadala
UAE-based fintech Qlub has raised $30 million in a new funding round to fuel global expansion. The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with participation from e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital. Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub is a contactless dining payment platform that enables diners to instantly view menus, order, and pay via smartphone. With the new funding, Qlub will expand into new geographies, enhance product analytics, and deepen integration with hospitality platforms. Clients report 300% more tips, 80% faster checkout, and significant labour savings. In 2021, Qlub secured a $25 million funding round, led by Cherry Ventures and Point Nine, with participation from STV, Raed Ventures, Heartcore, Shorooq Partners and FinTech Collective. Press release: Qlub, the ultra-fast payment system in restaurants, has become ubiquitous across Dubai's vibrant dining scene. Following its runaway success in the UAE, Qlub has announced the closure of a $30 million funding round to take its smart dining experience global. The round was co-led by the region's leading alternative investment firm, Shorooq, and Cherry Ventures, with major backing from strategic partners including e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital. This latest funding round underscores the growing demand for seamless, technology-driven dining experiences and positions Qlub to accelerate its global expansion, enhance its product offerings, and further integrate its solutions into the hospitality ecosystem. "From the very beginning, we saw in Qlub more than just a payments solution—we saw a new infrastructure for how hospitality should work in a digital-first world. Eyad and Mahmoud and the team have consistently proven that they can blend product innovation with deep market understanding, unlocking new behaviour at the intersection of tech and experience," noted Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq. "We are proud to have backed Qlub from the earliest days and remain committed to supporting visionary companies redefining everyday moments across emerging markets." Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has rapidly emerged as a pioneer in the contactless payment space, offering QR-based solutions that allow diners to view menus, place orders, and settle bills seamlessly using their smartphones. By eliminating the need for physical menus and traditional payment methods, Qlub enhances operational efficiency for restaurants and provides a frictionless experience for customers. With a presence in thousands of establishments across many markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and Korea, Qlub has demonstrated significant traction in diverse markets. It is now processing a few billion USD annually and serves millions of customers on a monthly basis, making it the leading QR payment solution for restaurants globally. Notable clients include Paul Cafe, Wagamama, Sushi Samba, and La Petite Maison (LPM), where the implementation of Qlub's solutions has led to strong improvements in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Qlub clients report a 300% increase in tips, a sevenfold increase in positive Google reviews, an 80% reduction in checkout line by streamlining the process, reducing labour costs, and decreasing the number of required cashiers by an average of a third, and an overall improvement in space utilisation by minimising the need for multiple cashier counters. "From day one, Qlub has shown how technology can simplify and modernise hospitality. We backed them at seed and are thrilled to support them again as they scale their solution globally and change how restaurants operate," added Filip Dames, Founding Partner of Cherry Ventures. "We look forward to supporting their continued success." The participation of industry leaders such as e& and Mubadala Investments in this funding round reflects the strategic importance of Qlub's solutions in the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. "Qlub's innovative approach to enhancing the dining experience aligns with our commitment to supporting digital transformation in the region," said Khalifa Alshamsi, CEO of e& Life. "We are excited to partner with Qlub as they continue to redefine the standards of service in the hospitality sector." With the new funding, Qlub plans to: Expand its presence in existing markets and enter new regions. Enhance its product offerings by integrating advanced analytics and insights to provide restaurants with a deeper understanding of customer behavior and preferences. Strengthen partnerships with key players in the hospitality and technology sectors to drive further innovation and adoption of contactless payment solutions. 'Our vision is simple: Qlub makes paying at restaurants ten times faster—and that elevates the entire dining experience,' said Eyad Alkassar, co-founder and co-CEO of Qlub. 'Why would any restaurant, anywhere in the world, choose to operate without it?" 'We're thrilled to have the support of investors, both new and existing partners, as we continue to build Qlub's vision,' said Mahmoud Fouz, co-founder and co-CEO of Qlub. 'We're grateful for the confidence our investors have placed in us and excited for what lies ahead.
