19-05-2025
Vuz secures IFC investment in $12m pre-series C round
IFC investment supports VUZ's international expansion, following precedent in scaling telecom and media ventures across the world.
Vuz, the immersive media platform, has announced a strategic investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, as part of its $12m Pre-Series C funding round. This marks a significant milestone for Vuz as it accelerates its global push in immersive live streaming, AI-powered content delivery, and spatial media experiences spanning sports, entertainment, and the creator economy.
With more than $1tn in global assets and commitments, the IFC joins a lineup of key investors including Al Jazira Capital, Crosswork VC Success Fund, several existing backers, and major Saudi family offices. This round strengthens Vuz's global footprint and positions the company to scale in fast-growing markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Africa, Asia, and the United States.
The partnership with IFC—known for backing transformative companies like deep market expertise and a global track record in telecom and digital media, particularly across emerging economies. It aligns with IFC's goal of advancing digital inclusion and supporting creative industries that drive sustainable economic development.
Vuz, which achieved EBITDA profitability in 2024 and recorded 80% year-over-year gross profit growth, now hosts over 30,000 hours of immersive content that blends extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and AI-powered streaming. The platform features exclusive experiences with top-tier football clubs, sports leagues, global athletes, artists, and creators. It boasts more than 3bn screen views to date, with a target of surpassing 5bn by 2026.
With 40 telecom integrations globally and 20 more underway, VUZ continues to expand its tech ecosystem through platforms like Apple Vision Pro, Oculus, TV devices, and its proprietary web-based immersive layer, VuzGo. Its innovations are protected by four global patents.
Khaled Zaatarah, Founder of Vuz, added: 'We are honored to welcome IFC as a strategic investor. With IFC and the World Bank Group's track record in scaling telecom and digital media companies globally, and over $1tn in assets under management, this partnership sets the stage for massive global scale. Together, we'll bring immersive media to the world's fastest-growing markets.'
'This investment reflects IFC's commitment to creative industries as a driver of jobs and income in emerging markets. Vuz's tech edge and global reach align well with our mandate to support scalable platforms that empower creators', added Farid Fezoua, IFC Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds.
Vuz's creator network spans over 100 m people worldwide, with tools that support monetization, immersive storytelling, and fan engagement. With a strong investor base that includes e& capital, KBW Ventures, SRMG Ventures, Vision Fund, and other global institutional backers, Vuz is now pset to shape the future of immersive media at a global scale.
'This is the scale-up stage we've been building toward for years,' Zaatarah added. 'With a solid foundation, patented tech, and profitability achieved, we are ready to scale globally and define the future of media.'
In addition to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and other recent strategic investors, Vuz is backed by a distinguished and globally diverse group of institutional partners. These include e& capital, KBW Ventures, Al Jazira Capital, DFDF, SRMG Ventures, Caruso Ventures, Shorooq Partners, Plug and Play Ventures, Hala Ventures, Vision Fund, Knollwood Investment Advisory, Panthera Capital, Faith Capital, WIN, Elbert Capital, Yasta Partners, AlTouq Group, Impact46, Media Visions, 500 Startups, DAI, Al Falaj, and DTEC Ventures (Oraseya Capital), along with notable tech leaders including Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, and Jonathan Labin — reflecting strong international conviction in VUZ's vision, performance, and global growth potential.
