qlub Raises $30 Million to Take Its Contactless Dining Experience Global
by Dubai, UAE – After transforming how diners pay at restaurants across the UAE, qlub is now ready to take its technology global. The fast-growing fintech startup has closed a $30 million funding round, co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with strategic backing from e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital.
This latest investment marks a major milestone in qlub’s mission to redefine the dining experience through seamless, contactless payment solutions—and positions the company to scale across new global markets.
From Local Success to Global Ambition
Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, qlub has quickly become a fixture in the UAE’s dining landscape. Its QR-based platform lets customers browse menus, place orders, and pay bills—all from their smartphones, with no need for physical menus or traditional checkout processes.
Following strong adoption in the UAE and neighboring regions, qlub now operates in thousands of restaurants across countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, Qatar, and Korea, processing billions of dollars annually and serving millions of users each month.
Notable restaurant partners include Paul Cafe, Wagamama, Sushi Samba, and La Petite Maison (LPM)—all of which have reported measurable gains in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Restaurants using qlub’s system have seen:
- 300% increase in tips
- 7x boost in positive Google reviews
- 80% reduction in checkout time
- Fewer cashiers needed, reducing labor costs
- Improved space utilization with fewer cashier counters
Investor Confidence in a Global Vision
The funding round signals continued confidence from qlub’s early backers and the addition of new strategic investors.
“From the start, we saw qlub as more than just a payments tool — it’s building the infrastructure for hospitality in a digital-first world,” said Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq. “Their innovation and market fit have been proven time and again. We’re proud to support them as they expand globally.”
Filip Dames, Founding Partner at Cherry Ventures, added:
“We backed qlub at seed stage, and are thrilled to support their global scaling journey. They’re modernizing restaurant operations in a way that benefits both the customer and the business.”
Participation from e& and Mubadala Investments reinforces the broader strategic value of qlub’s offering, particularly in the digital transformation of the hospitality sector.
“qlub’s approach perfectly aligns with our vision of enabling digital innovation,” said Khalifa Alshamsi, CEO of e& Life. “We’re excited to partner with them as they raise the bar for dining experiences worldwide.”
What’s Next for qlub
With the new funding, qlub plans to:
- Expand its reach in existing and new global markets
- Enhance product capabilities, including advanced data and customer behavior analytics
- Strengthen partnerships across hospitality and tech sectors
- Accelerate innovation to offer smarter, faster service experiences for both restaurants and guests
“Our vision is simple — qlub makes paying at restaurants 10x faster, and that elevates the entire dining experience,” said Eyad Alkassar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO.
“With this investment, we’re excited to scale this solution globally and make it the default for restaurants everywhere.”
“We’re grateful for the continued trust of our investors,” added Mahmoud Fouz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “This round validates our momentum and opens up incredible opportunities for growth.”
About qlub
qlub is a UAE-based fintech innovating the dining experience through contactless QR code payments. Operating across 3,000+ establishments globally, qlub empowers restaurants and diners with seamless solutions that reduce wait times, improve operational efficiency, and boost customer satisfaction.
🔗 Visit qlub
About Shorooq Partners
Shorooq is a multi-dimensional investment firm backing top technology companies across MENA and beyond. With deep expertise in fintech, platforms, deep tech, and software, Shorooq has supported leaders like Tamara, Sarwa, Lean, and TruKKer. The firm operates across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Korea, focusing on long-term value creation with founders.
