Dubai-based hospitality tech firm estaie has raised a seven-figure pre-seed funding round, led by venture funds Plus VC and Orbit Ventures. Additional investment comes from Falak Angels, Saudi startup studio Value Makers Studio (VMS), and angel investor Vasil Zdravkov. The funds will fuel expansion from the United Arab Emirates into Saudi Arabia, targeting a neglected niche in the travel market: extended stays.
The Problem: A Gap in Hospitality Tech
For years, travel platforms have optimized for short-term bookings (nights to weeks). However, travelers seeking stays of 30 to 365 nights have faced a fragmented and opaque market. Estaie aims to fill this void with purpose-built AI infrastructure. This is significant because the extended-stay segment represents substantial unmet demand, particularly in a region where business travel and relocation are common.
Key Details of the Investment
- The company launched in April 2025, incubated by Dubai’s in5 startup program.
- Estaie offers guaranteed discounts (at least 32%) compared to standard booking platforms.
- The founding team includes industry veterans: CEO Osama Shawky (six-time founder with over $200 million raised in prior ventures), CTO Nimit Solanki (AI product experience from Careem, Grab, and Deutsche Telekom), and COO Mark Reed (30 years in travel and hospitality, including roles at Finnair, Trailfinders, and Disney).
- The platform already boasts partnerships with major hotel brands, including Hilton, Shangri-La, IHG, Jumeirah, and Accor.
Traction and Technology
Since launch, estaie has secured over 400 hotel and holiday home listings and processed more than 3,000 room nights. The company reports 17–18% month-over-month growth, positioning it among the fastest-growing tech startups in the region.
Estaie’s technology relies on in-house AI-driven dynamic pricing, designed to optimize underutilized hotel inventory. The company has three patents pending, signaling a commitment to innovation and a defensible market position. The firm also holds a Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS) license from IATA, strengthening its credibility with corporate clients.
The Bottom Line
Estaie’s funding and early traction suggest a compelling case for disrupting the extended-stay travel market in the Middle East. The combination of a strong founding team, strategic partnerships, and a proprietary AI-driven platform positions the company for rapid growth. This is a niche ripe for consolidation, and estaie appears well-equipped to lead the charge.
