logo
The Box secures $12.5mln financing deal led by Shorooq to expand self-storage footprint in the UAE

The Box secures $12.5mln financing deal led by Shorooq to expand self-storage footprint in the UAE

Zawya20-02-2025

Dubai, UAE – Shorooq, the leading multi-dimensional investment firm, renowned for its strategic commitments in the MENA region, leads a $12.5 million financing through its Credit Practice in The Box, a Dubai-based self-storage company addressing modern storage and logistical challenges faced by individuals and businesses. With an aim to expand and develop new flagship storage facilities, The Box is poised to transform the self-storage landscape across the UAE and enhance urban living convenience.
Against the backdrop of a growing expat-dominated population, demand for flexible storage solutions continues to rise as consumers increasingly seek adaptable, stress-free ways to manage personal and business belongings. The Box is the clear market leader in the UAE, operating a significant portion of self-storage space in the market, designed to accommodate a wide range of personal and business needs. Offering units ranging from small lockers of 25 square feet up to 1,000 square foot rooms, and anything in between, The Box ensures flexible storage solutions tailored to various needs.
Driving growth remains a core ambition for The Box. This newly raised capital will support the construction of a brand-new self-storage facility in the heart of Dubai, further expanding the company's already market-leading position. As urbanization accelerates and the self-storage industry responds to the drive towards smart city infrastructure, The Box's role is becoming even more pivotal.
The partnership with Shorooq complements The Box's vision to empower individuals, making room for tomorrow by redefining space management. Acknowledging the partnership's significance, The Box's Founder and CEO expressed with enthusiasm, "With Shorooq's strategic support, we are excited to expand our reach and deliver an exceptional storage experience. We look forward to elevating the standards of the self-storage industry in the region to meet the demands of modern urban living."
Shorooq, known for its strategic foresight in investing across fintech, platforms, and deep tech, sees immense potential in The Box's consumer-oriented model and its alignment with urban growth trends. "The Box signals our commitment to backing transformative industries within the MENA region," explained Joe Barron, Senior Investment Professional within the Credit Practice at Shorooq.
"The Box's approach matches our ethos of enhancing life through intelligent, responsive solutions, and we are excited to propel them into their next phase of growth with the construction of a new flagship facility in the heart of Dubai."
Through this collaboration, both entities are set to champion innovative solutions that cater to today's fast-paced lifestyle, leveraging Shorooq's strategic insights to solidify The Box's position as a leader in self-storage. The anticipated launch of sustainable, state-of-the-art facilities across the region promises to meet the increasing demands for reliable storage solutions.
Looking ahead, The Box aims to build robust, technology-enhanced spaces that offer seamless access and security, ensuring that every "green door" reveals more than just storage – it unveils a story, representing new opportunities and a new chapter in self-storage innovation.
ABOUT THE BOX:
The Box is a leading innovator in the storage and logistics sector, dedicated to offering consumer-centric solutions that ensure peace of mind during life's transitions. A homegrown business rooted in Dubai, The Box is rapidly expanding with a focus on dominating the UAE market before widening its footprint into Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
With 30 facilities, including a flagship 140,000-square-foot location, The Box is recognized for its Grade A certification and sustainable practices. For over a decade, it has championed customer excellence, earning industry awards and a clientele that largely grows through referrals.
ABOUT SHOROOQ:
Founded in 2017, Shorooq is a multi-dimensional investment firm. Our venture capital and credit practice invests in the most innovative technology companies across the MENA region and beyond. We have built deep sectoral expertise in fintech, platforms, so

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai Future District Fund drives $1.65bln in capital commitments and powers over 190 startups
Dubai Future District Fund drives $1.65bln in capital commitments and powers over 190 startups

Zawya

time23 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Dubai Future District Fund drives $1.65bln in capital commitments and powers over 190 startups

Dubai, UAE: At its Annual General Meeting, the Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), which is anchored by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), unveiled highlights from its 2024 performance, celebrating a year of strategic growth, deepened alignment with Dubai's economic vision, and bold steps toward fostering a resilient, inclusive innovation ecosystem. The AGM also served as a platform to outline DFDF's focus for 2025, designated nationally as the Year of the Community. Reflecting on the UAE's declaration of 2024 as the Year of Sustainability, DFDF emphasised the Fund's sharpened commitment to long-term value creation, responsible innovation, and community-minded investment. Throughout the year, DFDF strengthened its partnerships with founders, investors, and stakeholders tackling real-world challenges, reinforcing the Fund's dual role as both a capital allocator and ecosystem enabler. 2024: A Year of Strategic Achievements The Board of Directors reported significant milestones across the Fund's investment mandate, including: Support for over 190 portfolio companies, through both direct investments and 12 Fund of Funds initiatives More than $1.65 billion in capital commitments raised by supported funds as of year-end 2024 Continued alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), enhancing the Fund's role in advancing technology, talent, and venture capital in the region H is Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, DFDF Board of Directors Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation said: 'These achievements underscore the central role that the Dubai Future District Fund plays in driving the growth of Dubai's digital economy – one that thrives on innovation and leverages the latest future technologies across key sectors.' Demonstrating Value Beyond Capital In 2024, DFDF went beyond its core investment activities to showcase how venture capital can serve as a conduit for public-private collaboration and scalable innovation. The Fund published value creation case studies in partnership with key institutions across sectors – spotlighting its growing role as a strategic enabler. This included forward-looking engagements with Dubai Land Department and Dubai Health, exploring innovation partnerships that align government priorities with startup-driven solutions. DFDF also piloted projects with Nestlé and AWS, aimed at identifying opportunities around technology adoption, and business enablement. These initiatives reflect DFDF's broader commitment to translating capital into impact – fostering not only financial returns, but also operational value, strategic insights, and innovation capacity across the region's future economy stakeholders. Looking Ahead to 2025 With the UAE's announcement of 2025 as the Year of the Community, DFDF outlined a renewed commitment to building stronger bridges across the innovation landscape – between founders and funders, startups and regulators, and the region and global markets. 'Innovation thrives not in isolation, but within inclusive, connected communities,' said Arif Amiri, DFDF Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority. 'As the Fund continues to position Dubai as a global pioneer for innovation, we are more committed than ever to cultivating collaboration with partners globally who are also committed to driving future economic growth.' DFDF's key focus areas for 2025 include expanded capital deployment, prioritising funds and co-investments that support ecosystem building and economic resilience, and deeper ecosystem engagement, with platforms that bring together top founders, investors, operators, and policymakers to foster shared growth. Nader Albastaki, Managing Director at DFDF said: "2024 marked a pivotal year for DFDF, where purpose met performance. We scaled our investments, aligned with Dubai's strategies, and supported innovators driving meaningful change. As we enter 2025 the Year of the Community we're excited to focus on deeper collaboration, ecosystem resilience, and a shared vision of Dubai as a global capital of innovation and opportunity." About Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) The Dubai Future District Fund is a venture capital fund anchored by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). The Fund invests in startups and VC funds building the future economy of Dubai and the broader MENA region. DFDF plays a dual role as both a Fund of Funds and a direct investor, with a core focus on innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact.

Credit card spending: Is your plastic really that fantastic?
Credit card spending: Is your plastic really that fantastic?

Khaleej Times

time24 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

Credit card spending: Is your plastic really that fantastic?

Every day we pull out a piece of plastic and pay for food, drinks and shopping without even thinking twice about it. Nowadays, it's more likely that we pull out a phone or use our smart watch to pay – but they are still linked to our credit card. And a surprising number of people don't fully understand how interest on their credit card is charged and the associated fees. Here are some of the basic details you need to know. Interest rates Do you know how much interest your credit card company charges you? Monthly interest rates on credit cards in the UAE typically range from two per cent to four per cent, translating to annual rates of between 24 per cent and 48 per cent. That's pretty high when you consider the top rate of interest you'd earn on a UAE savings account is about five per cent. One misconception is when you actually pay interest on your card. In an ideal world, you will pay off your balance in full each month. That way, you avoid paying any interest. But we are not all so financially disciplined. Sometimes, you can't pay the full amount and instead end up paying half of it or just the minimum balance. That's often when the confusion begins as some people think if they pay the minimum amount due, then they won't be charged interest. Sadly, that's not the case. Grace periods A grace period is the time between your statement date and the due date of your payment, which is normally about 21 to 25 days. It does vary among credit card issuers. This grace period applies as long as you pay your full statement balance on time. But if you don't pay the full amount you are charged interest, which is often backdated to the date of the original purchase. Cash advances It's hard to think of a scenario where taking a cash advance on your credit card is a good idea. You will be charged interest the second you take the cash as grace periods don't apply to cash advances. Plus, you are usually charged a higher interest rate than for normal spending on the card. On top of that, you will pay a fee for the cash advance. Instead, consider a small personal loan or overdraft with lower rates. However, some banks are improving their offerings for those who really need the cash – Wio bank lets you borrow from your credit limit with Easy Cash, and charges one dirham per day for every Dh1,000 borrowed. Checking statements Be honest, how often do you look at your credit card statement in detail? Most people dread it coming and quickly move onto something else. But it could pay to go through it properly. Sometimes, transactions get added by mistake or the card has been used fraudulently. Look at what you paid for and make sure you recognise all the merchants. You can also see any penalties and fees you may have incurred, which should encourage you to manage the card better. The wrong card There are hundreds of credit cards out there, all offering different perks. How do you know you are using the right one? Research by comparison site Daleel found that only half of the people they surveyed are confident they have the right credit card for them. A look at Emirates NBD 's website will show you all sorts of card partners including Emirates, Etihad, Dnata, Noon, Lulu, Emaar, Marriott Bonvoy and one called Webshopper. They all offer cashback, air miles or discounts. To choose the right card, you have to match your spending habits with cards that reward those categories. For example, some cards reward certain types of purchases like online shopping, so make sure you only take out this card if you actually do a lot of your shopping online. The same is true for the airlines' cards. Foreign transaction fees Some cards may say they are ideal for travel but then charge you 2-3 per cent per transaction abroad. Look for cards that say 'no FX fees' or 'zero per cent foreign transaction fees' if you travel often. But even if they don't charge a fee, you may not always get the best currency conversion rates. When you get the option, always pay in the local currency as the bank will use the more competitive conversion rates used by Visa and Mastercard. Promotions We all love a good promotion or discount. For credit cards, it could be 'No Annual Fee'. But this might only be for the first year, and then a huge fee kicks in after 12 months. Zero per cent interest deals are always worth double checking. Are they really not charging any interest? Once the introductory offer ends you may then be charged interest if you don't pay off the full balance. T&Cs It would be unrealistic to advise people to read all the literature that comes with a credit card – the small print. But you should get a Key Facts or an 'At a Glance' summary from your bank, while others are turning to videos and other formats to clearly explain the terms and conditions. The more time you can spend reading them, the more informed a decision you can make. For example, while researching this article I browsed a lot of credit cards and landed on the RAKBank World credit card which offers up to 10 per cent on a variety of spending which sounds very generous. But after digging around, I saw that to start earning cashback you need to spend a minimum of Dh10,000 per month on your World Credit Card. That amount might not suit everybody so this is when reading as much of the small print as possible really helps.

UAE: Have you calculated where all your money goes every month?
UAE: Have you calculated where all your money goes every month?

Khaleej Times

time24 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: Have you calculated where all your money goes every month?

Have you ever reached the end of the month only to find your bank balance mysteriously lower than expected? You're not alone. Whether you're a new graduate starting your career or a parent juggling school fees and groceries, the question is the same: Where does all my money go every month? It all boils down to tracking your spending and coming up with a budget for how much you will spend each month and on what. But let's start with one big myth – budgeting isn't about restricting yourself. It's about having better awareness and control over your money. Know your numbers The first step in mastering your money is understanding your income and expenses. Start by writing down all your sources of income: your salary, freelance gigs, passive income or side hustles. Next, track your spending. For at least a month, record every dirham you spend - on rent, groceries, utility bills, transport, takeaways and subscriptions. This is where technology can be your friend as there are now many apps that help track your spending such as Spendy, Wally, Buddy and Yabi. They may have silly names but they can really save you time – and hopefully money. Yabi is a homegrown financial app that uses AI to not only track your spending buy then give you some actionable insights to budget better. Many UAE banks also have their own budgeting tools you can use for free. For example, Liv digital bank, part of Emirates NBD, has a budget planner to see how you can change your spending patterns. Using these tools can be very eye-opening. You may discover you're spending more on food deliveries like Careem, Uber Eats and Deliveroo than you thought. And you might unearth those unused online subscriptions that are draining your wallet. But knowledge is power as they say – once you know you can then take action. Rakhil Fernando, the CEO of Yabi, which targets individuals between 25 and 35 years old, said: 'We want to reach users before they develop poor financial habits, so they avoid common pitfalls like lack of savings or overspending.' In Dubai especially, given its glamorous and fun image, many workers are dining out frequently, going to clubs and bars while others are frequently buying designer labels and the latest electronic gadgets. Categorise your expenses Personal finance experts recommend you break your spending down into three main categories. First you have your essentials like rent, utilities, groceries, transport costs and school fees. Around 50% of your income should be allocated to these. In high-cost cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, rent may take up more than 50% - that's okay. The idea is to put it all down first and then adjust accordingly. Next you have your lifestyle spending – dining out, clothes shopping and entertainment. This should be around 30%. This may be a challenge living in a city with non-stop nightlife, fancy restaurants and fast food delivery apps. Then you have your financial goals – what are you saving towards and how much are you putting aside each month? You could be paying off debts instead. Record how much you are setting aside in savings and investments, which should be about 20% of your income. Set SMART goals Financial goals deserve their own section as ultimately you want to budget better in order to save money for the things you want – that dream holiday, a new car, your kid's education. Goals give your budget a purpose. Start with short-term goals, like saving 5,000 dirhams for a staycation, clearing a credit card, or building a 3-month emergency fund. Then look at long-term goals – such as a deposit on a house or that new SUV. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. So instead of vaguely saying 'I want to save more' you will write down 'I'll save AED 500 a month to build an AED 6,000 emergency fund by next summer.' Be realistic Most budgets fail, much like diets, because they are too restrictive. It's hard to suddenly stop going out for meals when these are part of your normal routine. Instead, you can set limits on how much you will spend on specific things like lunches out, taxis etc. This is where the budgeting apps come in very handy. ADCB Hayyak, and Mashreq Neo are two banks that offer budgeting features that let you set limits and get alerts when you're near them. Review Budgeting isn't a one-off activity. It's something that you should be doing regularly, ideally at the end of each month. It doesn't need to be hard work and can actually be fun – if you save more than expected at the end of the month then treat yourself to a small indulgence. And gamify it - set targets for you and your partner to beat and compete with one another. Also, don't be too hard on yourself. We all have lapses and make mistakes. Just quickly get back on track afterwards. Make it work in the UAE Living in the UAE brings unique financial opportunities — and pressures. Many residents enjoy tax-free income, but also face high living costs, social expectations, and the temptation to spend big. Salaries can be generous, but it's easy to fall into the lifestyle inflation trap — the more you earn, the more you spend. Don't be one of them.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store