Digital transaction processes in Dubai's private markets receive a $4.3 million investment, spearheaded by Prosus.
Zest Equity, a private market infrastructure platform based in the UAE, has recently raised $4.3 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by Prosus Ventures and participated in by Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV).
Founded in 2021 by Zuhair Shamma and Rawan Baddour, Zest Equity aims to remove friction from private investment deals, transforming complex, paper-heavy processes into streamlined digital workflows. The platform has evolved to simplify financial transactions for private companies and investors, primarily focusing on deals under $100 million.
To date, Zest Equity has facilitated over $155 million in transaction value across more than 115 deals. One of Zest's key offerings allows multiple investors to pool their capital into a single legal vehicle (SPV), streamlining the investment process.
The fresh capital raised by Zest Equity will be used for expansion in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Rawan Baddour, Co-founder of Zest Equity, mentioned that MSISV's expertise will be crucial for scaling Zest Equity sustainably and compliantly as it expands its operations across the GCC.
Initially, Zest Equity was a marketplace for secondary share trading in startups. However, its focus has since shifted to digitizing processes that traditionally involve mountains of paperwork, multiple intermediaries, and high fees, making it an essential tool for private companies and investors.
Despite extensive online searches, there are no specific details available about Zest Equity's expansion plan following their pre-Series A funding round. For more information on Zest Equity's recent activities or strategy, specialized or company-specific announcements beyond these search results would be required.
Robin Voogd, Head of Middle East Investments at Prosus Ventures, stated that Zest Equity is building the fabric that connects private markets in emerging economies. As Zest Equity continues to grow and evolve, it is poised to revolutionize the private investment landscape in the Middle East and beyond.
Zest Equity, with the investment from technology-focused firm Prosus Ventures and finance-oriented Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV), aims to leverage technology to expand operations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, digitizing private investment deals and simplifying financial transactions for private companies and investors. Rawan Baddour, Co-founder of Zest Equity, recognizes MSISV's expertise as crucial for the sustainable and compliant scaling of the platform across the GCC.
