Stryde acquires Qora71, launches Stryde71 to expand global VC access
UAE-based digital investment platform Stryde has acquired Qora71 and rebranded it as Stryde71. The move marks Stryde's entry into venture capital, expanding its multi-vertical investment platform regulated by the DFSA.
Qora71, launched with the support of Hub71's Angel Investor Support Package, is an angel network that facilitated over 50 investments and deployed more than $2 million in capital within just five months. Its syndicate model and 130+ angel network will now power Stryde71's new venture arm.
The acquisition enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in global startup deals via an end-to-end, community-driven platform. It also strengthens Abu Dhabi's VC infrastructure, aligning with Hub71's broader mission to grow the UAE as a global innovation hub.
Press release:
Stryde, a DFSA-regulated digital investment platform, has announced the acquisition of Qora71, the region's fastest-growing angel investment network. As part of the deal, Qora71 will be rebranded as Stryde71, establishing a new vertical within the Stryde ecosystem focused on venture capital and technology deals syndication.
The acquisition marks Stryde's entry into global venture capital and strengthens its position as a multi-vertical private markets investment platform enabling individuals and institutions to seamlessly access global deals. Alongside Stryde Sports, Stryde71 expands venture capital access to both qualified and retail investors. Additional verticals are in development, as Stryde advances its mission to unlock high-quality alternative investments.
Qora71 was launched with the support of Hub71's Angel Investor Support Package with the aim of unlocking greater access to early-stage capital for founders across the Middle East. In just five months, the network built a community of more than 130 angel investors and facilitated more than 50 investments, deploying over $2 million in capital, with over $1m additional in the pipeline. Founded by Youssef Salem, Qora71 quickly became a platform for community-led investing, enabling strategic capital formation through a digitally enabled syndicate model.
'Bringing Qora71 into the Stryde family is a major milestone,' said Hadi Halabi, Co-founder, Stryde. 'Yousef's leadership and what Qora71 built at Hub71 in record time is nothing short of inspirational. Together, we're unlocking the next generation of startup investing in the region and globally.'
Youssef Salem, who now joins Stryde as Partner said: 'Qora71 was born out of a desire to give exceptional founders access to meaningful capital, connectivity, and market access, all powered by a community of strategic angels. In five short months, we proved that vision. Now with Stryde, we can scale that impact exponentially.'
Stryde71 combines Qora71's community-driven syndicate model with Stryde's DFSA-regulated platform, offering a seamless, end-to-end investment experience. Marking Stryde's entry into Abu Dhabi via ADGM, the new arm enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in exclusive startup deals while giving founders a one-stop platform to raise capital across early and growth stages.
Basma Ahmed AlBadi AlDhaheri, Head of Value Creation at Hub71, said: 'Through Qora71, we supported early-stage investors and catalysed meaningful outcomes, facilitating capital deployment into high-potential startups and accelerating their growth. The launch of Stryde71 is a natural next step. It reflects not only the success of the initiative but also the collective progress of our community and our broader mission to strengthen Abu Dhabi's capital landscape.'
The acquisition reflects the growing momentum behind early-stage funding in Abu Dhabi and the increasing availability of infrastructure supporting founders across the venture landscape. As the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for innovation, Stryde71 represents a new model of regulated, community-driven investing designed to accelerate startup growth and attract global capital.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
8 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
ForsaTEK 2025 offers platform for high-impact, scalable innovation
The Emirates Group's annual flagship innovation and technology forum, ForsaTEK, is once again bringing cutting-edge technology partnerships, dynamic start-ups, thought-provoking discussions, and emerging talent developing game-changing concepts to the has expanded its reach this year to drive greater innovation engagement across the Group's different departments and businesses, focusing on scaling successful trials to extract the full value of promising innovation and solutions. This year, the annual forum's themes highlight how AI, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) will reshape aviation, in addition to the role human factors play in successful adoption of was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, who was accompanied by Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education for the UAE, amongst senior Emirates Group executives for an official tour of innovation Highness said: 'Building on the success of the first two editions, ForsaTEK 2025 underpins the Emirates Group's continued commitment to anchoring the next wave of innovations within our business, scaling up existing innovations, supporting startups, and creating a powerful testbed of partnerships that introduce fresh solutions and propel our digital future high impact showcases at every part of the innovation pipeline at ForsaTEK 2025 demonstrate how the Emirates Group is building an ecosystem to push new boundaries in AI, technology, research, and digital adoption. We hope all our teams and partners leave the event feeling inspired by tomorrow's possibilities and determined to weave innovation, both big and small, into their everyday work lives."Technology showcases and driving start-up growthThis year, ForsaTEK featured over 40 in-house and partner showcases, strategically organised across the innovation pipeline spectrum, from early-stage research and prototyping, to proof-of-concept trials, and fully launched initiatives being scaled launched initiatives included Transguard and Emirates Group Security's advanced autonomous robotics to enhance urban safety and security; dnata Cargo's autonomous drone system for inventory validation; dnata's 3D prototyping and custom manufacturing of spare parts; Emirates Airport Services' AI-enabled aircraft turnaround analysis and resource optimisation system, amongst other aviation and customer-centric Trial Zone included several accessibility initiatives including Glidance's groundbreaking self-guided mobility aid enabling safe, independent navigation for the visually impaired; the JeffCAN immersive media chair, blending sensory design and technology to support and engage neurodiverse passengers; the Airbus Accessible and Inclusive cabin featuring a Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) lavatory and personal wheelchair onboard. Maintenance and engineering trials featured an AI and computer vision platform for fast, accurate engine part detection and identification; Apple Vision Pro-based augmented reality maintenance for enhanced visualisation of brake, wheel, and APU assemblies, and drone-based aircraft inspections, for fast, safe, and accurate aircraft exterior inspections.A pitch zone also featured 13 start-ups showcasing their ideas to a panel of VIPs, investors, and tech industry representatives. People and youth engagement areas within the Experience Zone were also activated to showcase innovation journeys and enhance visitor keynotesHer Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education delivered ForsaTEK 2025's opening keynote, focused around the 'disruption of technology on public education'. The UAE recently announced the integration of AI into all levels of school curricula to prepare the nation's youth for a world increasingly shaped by a rapidly evolving tech landscape, as well as positioning the UAE as a major global player in artificial event's exciting programme also included world-renowned tech experts and academics like Dr. Mark Esposito, Geostrategist and Advisor at the World Economic Forum and Harvard University Innovation Researcher delving into topics like reinventing and remobilisation of technology strategies; 'Imagineering with Disney'; Younes Bensouda Mourri, Professor of AI at Stanford University who discussed rethinking human intelligence in an AI powered world; humanoid robots; and the future impact of AI on society and human advancement with Shekhar Kapur, Oscar-nominated filmmaker and AI philosopher. At ForsaTEK 2025, the Emirates Group's Afkar app was also launched. Afkar, which means 'ideas' in Arabic, is a company-wide digital platform that allows employees – wherever they work and whatever they do – to play their part in generating new ideas for implementation. The winning concept unveiled at this year's event was the automation of visa validation for customers, removing yet another source of friction for passengers during their travel journeys.
Al Bawaba
8 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
LG's Cordzero™ A9 Vacuum Range is the Ultimate Summer Ally for a Fresh, Dust-free Home
With the UAE summer in full swing, LG Electronics (LG) is keen to keep the home clean, with its comprehensive CordZero™ A9 vacuum cleaner range. Designed to maintain a fresh and dust-free environment throughout the warmer months, the A9 series offers premium, reliable cleaning solutions tailored to a wide variety of Middle East lifestyles. LG understands that a truly clean home is a comfortable home, especially during the summer, and the CordZero™ A9 lineup embodies that philosophy, providing powerful, versatile, and user-friendly products, where each model within the series delivers the ultimate in cordless convenience; free from the limitations of power outlets and tangled cords. Beneath their sleek designs, these vacuums boast powerful suction, effortlessly tackling dust, debris, and allergens across an array of floor types, from hard surfaces to carpets, while the intuitive design promises comfortable handling and ease of maintenance, with features like simple dustbin emptying and washable filters, ensuring that maintaining a pristine home is always a breeze. The diversity within the LG CordZero™ A9 range, too, promises a perfect match for every UAE household. Offering a streamlined yet powerful cleaning experience, the LG CordZero™ A9T-LITE – the first self-emptying stick vacuum – combines the convenience of cordless operation with robust suction, as well as LG ThinQ™ app compatibility, allowing users to manage the vacuum remotely, setting preferred cleaning modes and receiving maintenance alerts. For even more everyday efficiency, the LG CordZero™ A9 Core models – like the A9K-SOLO with its brushless Smart Inverter Motor™ with AEROScience™ spinning at high speed to generate 220W of powerful suction – can lift dirt particles easily to provide versatile cleaning capabilities, making them ideal for regular household upkeep. LG CordZero™ A9L-SLIM is as lightweight and agile as its name suggests, boasting a maneuverability perfect for quick clean-ups and reaching tight spaces. At only 1.97kg, complemented by its slim profile and core A9 series benefits – powerful cleaning, cordless freedom, and easy maintenance – the A9 Air is an excellent companion for retaining cleanliness with minimal effort, especially in homes with intricate layouts or frequent light cleaning needs. For those seeking the pinnacle of hands-free cleaning and advanced features, the LG CordZero™ A9T Ultra stands tall with its innovative all-in-one tower, which not only charges the vacuum, but automatically empties the dustbin, eliminating direct contact with dust. It further enhances convenience with KOMPRESSOR™ technology for increased dustbin capacity and a dual battery pack for extended run time, making it ideal for large homes. More still, proving the Ultra is the ultimate, owners can reduce cleaning time further by vacuuming and mopping at the same time thanks to its Power Drive™ Mop. With the LG CordZero™ A9 vacuum cleaner range, maintaining a fresh, dust-free home this summer is not just achievable, but genuinely effortless.
Wamda
8 hours ago
- Wamda
Stryde acquires Qora71, launches Stryde71 to expand global VC access
UAE-based digital investment platform Stryde has acquired Qora71 and rebranded it as Stryde71. The move marks Stryde's entry into venture capital, expanding its multi-vertical investment platform regulated by the DFSA. Qora71, launched with the support of Hub71's Angel Investor Support Package, is an angel network that facilitated over 50 investments and deployed more than $2 million in capital within just five months. Its syndicate model and 130+ angel network will now power Stryde71's new venture arm. The acquisition enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in global startup deals via an end-to-end, community-driven platform. It also strengthens Abu Dhabi's VC infrastructure, aligning with Hub71's broader mission to grow the UAE as a global innovation hub. Press release: Stryde, a DFSA-regulated digital investment platform, has announced the acquisition of Qora71, the region's fastest-growing angel investment network. As part of the deal, Qora71 will be rebranded as Stryde71, establishing a new vertical within the Stryde ecosystem focused on venture capital and technology deals syndication. The acquisition marks Stryde's entry into global venture capital and strengthens its position as a multi-vertical private markets investment platform enabling individuals and institutions to seamlessly access global deals. Alongside Stryde Sports, Stryde71 expands venture capital access to both qualified and retail investors. Additional verticals are in development, as Stryde advances its mission to unlock high-quality alternative investments. Qora71 was launched with the support of Hub71's Angel Investor Support Package with the aim of unlocking greater access to early-stage capital for founders across the Middle East. In just five months, the network built a community of more than 130 angel investors and facilitated more than 50 investments, deploying over $2 million in capital, with over $1m additional in the pipeline. Founded by Youssef Salem, Qora71 quickly became a platform for community-led investing, enabling strategic capital formation through a digitally enabled syndicate model. 'Bringing Qora71 into the Stryde family is a major milestone,' said Hadi Halabi, Co-founder, Stryde. 'Yousef's leadership and what Qora71 built at Hub71 in record time is nothing short of inspirational. Together, we're unlocking the next generation of startup investing in the region and globally.' Youssef Salem, who now joins Stryde as Partner said: 'Qora71 was born out of a desire to give exceptional founders access to meaningful capital, connectivity, and market access, all powered by a community of strategic angels. In five short months, we proved that vision. Now with Stryde, we can scale that impact exponentially.' Stryde71 combines Qora71's community-driven syndicate model with Stryde's DFSA-regulated platform, offering a seamless, end-to-end investment experience. Marking Stryde's entry into Abu Dhabi via ADGM, the new arm enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in exclusive startup deals while giving founders a one-stop platform to raise capital across early and growth stages. Basma Ahmed AlBadi AlDhaheri, Head of Value Creation at Hub71, said: 'Through Qora71, we supported early-stage investors and catalysed meaningful outcomes, facilitating capital deployment into high-potential startups and accelerating their growth. The launch of Stryde71 is a natural next step. It reflects not only the success of the initiative but also the collective progress of our community and our broader mission to strengthen Abu Dhabi's capital landscape.' The acquisition reflects the growing momentum behind early-stage funding in Abu Dhabi and the increasing availability of infrastructure supporting founders across the venture landscape. As the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for innovation, Stryde71 represents a new model of regulated, community-driven investing designed to accelerate startup growth and attract global capital.
