Saudi-based real estate platform AQAR, headquartered in Riyadh, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Syrian classifieds company Doushesh for a strategic investment of up to $480,000. The agreement was announced on the sidelines of LEAP 2026, a major technology exhibition, and signals a growing regional interest in Syria's digital economy. Senior officials from both countries attended the signing, underscoring the cross-border importance of the initiative.
Investment Structure and Conditions
The proposed investment will be delivered through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity, commonly referred to as a SAFE. Under this arrangement, the capital of up to $480,000 will be deployed in tranches that are directly linked to agreed growth milestones achieved by Doushesh. This milestone-based model is intended to align AQAR's financial support with measurable operational progress while giving the Syrian startup room to scale.
A Closer Look at Doushesh
Doushesh was founded in 2025 by Alaaeddin Zarzour and Zafer Odabashi as a classifieds marketplace serving the Syrian market. Its platform covers a broad range of categories including real estate, vehicles, electronics, furniture, jobs, and services, giving users a single digital destination for everyday needs. Earlier this year, Doushesh closed a pre-seed funding round, which provided early validation of its business model and market potential.
Strategic Intent in the Syrian Market
The investment is designed to support the growth and expansion of Doushesh's classified advertising platform across Syria. Beyond the platform itself, AQAR and Doushesh intend to contribute to the advancement of digital infrastructure for the real estate and classified advertising sectors. The agreement arrives at a time when Syria's entrepreneurial ecosystem is beginning to draw renewed interest from regional investors and technology companies.
Signing Ceremony and Official Presence
The memorandum was formally signed by Ibrahim Al-Shehail, CEO of AQAR, and Alaa Al-Din Zarzour, CEO of Doushesh. The ceremony took place during LEAP 2026 and was attended by Abdul Salam Haykal, Syria's Minister of Communications and Technology. Mohammed bin Abdullah Abu Nayan, Chairman of the Saudi-Syrian Business Council, was also present to witness the agreement and discuss bilateral digital cooperation.
Leadership Vision and Shared Goals
The signatories described the partnership as part of a shared vision to build leading digital infrastructure across the real estate and classified advertising sectors. They also see the agreement as a strategic step toward strengthening Syria's entrepreneurial landscape and connecting it with regional capital. The move highlights the increasing willingness of Gulf-based technology companies to support early stage ventures in emerging Syrian markets.
Regional Digital Infrastructure Opportunity
The agreement reflects a broader effort to develop digital infrastructure in Syria's real estate and classified advertising sectors. AQAR brings experience from the Saudi market and can offer operational insight as Doushesh refines and develops its platform. In return, the partnership provides AQAR with early exposure to a Syrian digital market that is gradually reopening to regional cooperation and investment.
The memorandum of understanding between AQAR and Doushesh underscores the growing appeal of structured, milestone-linked investments in Syria's developing digital economy. By using a SAFE model, the parties can support platform expansion while managing risk through funding that is directly tied to performance. This partnership may serve as an early reference point for future cross-border technology investment in Syria and the wider region.