Latest news with #MahmoudFouz
CairoScene
16 hours ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Dubai-Based Qlub Raises $30 Million to Expand App-Free Dining Payments
Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub allows diners to scan a QR code at the table to view the menu, order, split the bill, and pay without needing to download an app. Jul 29, 2025 Dubai-based fintech Qlub has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round to expand its contactless dining payment services across more markets. The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with additional backing from strategic investors including Mubadala Investment Company, e& Capital, and existing investor Point Nine. Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub allows diners to scan a QR code at the table to view the menu, order, split the bill, and pay without needing to download an app. The service is currently live in 12 countries and used by major restaurant brands including Paul Cafe, Wagamama, and Sushi Samba. The new capital will be used to grow Qlub's presence in key international markets and enhance the company's product offerings. The startup also plans to strengthen its analytics tools for restaurants and deepen integrations with existing hospitality systems. Qlub's platform has been credited with helping restaurants speed up checkout times by up to 80% and boost tips by as much as 300%. With this latest raise, Qlub's total funding has reached $72 million.
Fintech News ME
5 days ago
- Business
- Fintech News ME
Qlub Raises $30M to Expand Contactless Dining Platform Globally
Qlub, a restaurant payment solution based Dubai, has raised US$30 million in a funding round to support its international expansion. The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with participation from strategic backers including e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital. Launched in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has become widely used across Dubai's dining scene. The platform enables customers to scan a QR code to browse menus, place orders, and pay directly from their smartphones, removing the need for physical menus and traditional payment methods. This technology aims to streamline restaurant operations and improve the overall dining experience. Qlub is now present in thousands of venues across several markets, including Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and Korea. It processes a few billion US dollars annually and reaches millions of users each month. Its client portfolio includes restaurants such as Paul Cafe, Wagamama, Sushi Samba, and La Petite Maison. Reported outcomes from adopting Qlub include a 300% increase in tips, a sevenfold rise in positive Google reviews, and an 80% reduction in checkout wait times. Restaurants also note reductions in labor costs and improved space efficiency by decreasing the number of required cashier stations. The company plans to use the new funds to deepen its footprint in existing markets, expand into new regions, and continue developing its product, particularly by integrating analytics that offer restaurants more detailed insights into customer behavior and preferences. 'Our vision is simple: Qlub makes paying at restaurants ten times faster, and that elevates the entire dining experience,' said Eyad Alkassar. 'Why would any restaurant, anywhere in the world, choose to operate without it?' Mahmoud Fouz said, 'We're thrilled to have the support of investors, both new and existing partners, as we continue to build Qlub's vision. We're grateful for the confidence our investors have placed in us and excited for what lies ahead.'
CairoScene
7 days 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
22-07-2025
- 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
22-07-2025
- 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.
