UPFRONT, a Dubai-based fintech startup, has secured a USD 10 million pre-seed round in a mix of equity and debt. The round was led by Palm Ventures and SABAH.fund, with participation from a network of angel investors.
It will support product development, team expansion, and entry into Saudi Arabia, where the startup plans to scale operations.
Launched in May 2025 by Anas Qudah, Abdullah Alghadouni, and Mahmoud Abdel-Fattah Moursy, UPFRONT is tackling one of the biggest growth bottlenecks for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the region, cash flow inefficiencies.
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Its B2B fintech platform integrates with existing accounting systems to provide real-time financial analytics, automate receivables, and orchestrate payments.
By reducing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), the platform unlocks working capital and helps SMBs grow sustainably.
“Cash flow inefficiencies are one of the biggest growth bottlenecks for SMBs in MENA. We’re building financial infrastructure that gives these businesses real-time visibility, faster access to credit, and tools to operate with more confidence and less manual overhead,” said Anas Qudah, co-founder and CEO of UPFRONT.
The regional funding gap UPFRONT is closing
SMBs across MENA face an estimated USD 250 billion funding gap, largely driven by delayed receivables and inefficient financial operations in industries such as F&B, FMCG, retail, and manufacturing.
UPFRONT’s solution aims to narrow this gap by modernizing financial workflows and offering SMBs the tools they need to overcome cash flow constraints.
The fund raised reflects growing investor appetite for SMB-focused fintech infrastructure in MENA, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the next big market for expansion.
