Dubai's estaie Secures Pre-Seed Funding for Expansion
estaie, a hospitality technology platform based in Dubai, has successfully closed a pre-seed funding round for an undisclosed amount. The round was led by PlusVC and Orbit Ventures, with additional participation from Falak Angels, Value Makers Studio, and Vasil Zdravkov. estaie offers integrated living solutions with all-inclusive pricing for extended stays in the UAE, targeting bookings from 30 to 365 nights.
Leadership and Vision
The company was founded in 2025 by CEO Osama Shawky and COO Mark Reed. Shawky, who has a background in commercial leadership roles at Orange Business and Concentrix, emphasized the potential of the extended-stay market, stating that it is a "massive, fast-growing category that has been operating without the infrastructure it deserves." Reed, who brings experience from Finnair, Trailfinders, and The Walt Disney Company, aims to solve inefficiencies in the long-term stay segment through an AI-native platform.
Strategic Use of Funds
The newly acquired funds will be directed towards accelerating estaie's regional expansion, particularly into Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a portion of the investment will focus on product development and scaling efforts. The company plans to enhance its AI-native platform, which aims to improve pricing transparency, inventory utilization, and operational efficiency for hospitality providers.
Market Impact and Growth
Since its launch in April 2025, estaie has made significant strides in the hospitality sector. The platform has already signed agreements with over 400 hotels and more than 1,000 holiday homes, facilitating over 3,000 room nights. estaie is also supported by in5, a Dubai-based startup incubator backed by TECOM Group PJSC, assisting in its expansion from Dubai to Riyadh.
Future Prospects
With the backing of prominent investors and a clear plan for growth, estaie is poised to address the challenges of the extended-stay market. By positioning itself as an AI-driven operating layer, the company aims to integrate demand, pricing intelligence, and ecosystem connectivity into a single, cohesive platform, ultimately benefiting both hospitality providers and guests.