Dubai-listed telecom operator du has established du Ventures, an AED 183 million (USD 50 million) venture capital fund targeting startups and emerging technologies aligned with its core business.
Regional investment firm Shorooq Partners has been appointed to manage the fund, overseeing deployment strategy and portfolio development. The vehicle will focus primarily on UAE-based ventures, giving du access to early-stage innovation in telecom and digital services. The launch positions du alongside a growing cohort of Gulf corporates establishing in-house investment arms to capture upstream technology exposure and diversify revenue streams.
The move comes against a mixed backdrop for regional deal activity: UAE venture funding hit a record Q1 high of AED 1.53 billion in 2026, up 47% year-on-year, even as deal volume fell 45% over the same period to a three-year Q1 low, according to Magnitt data.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer