UAE-based travel technology startup estaie has raised a seven-figure pre-seed funding round as it looks to scale what it describes as an AI-native platform for extended-stay accommodation. The round was led by PlusVC and Orbit Ventures, with participation from Falak Angels, Value Makers Studio and investor Vasil Zdravkov, according to the company’s announcement on April 1. Based in Dubai and backed by startup incubator in5, estaie said the fresh capital will be used to deepen its regional footprint, with Saudi Arabia identified as a major priority as the business grows from Dubai into Riyadh.
Funding and Expansion
The fundraising comes as investors show increasing interest in technology companies targeting gaps between traditional real estate, hospitality and corporate mobility. estaie is positioning itself in the long-stay segment, focusing on bookings ranging from 30 to 365 nights, an area the company argues has remained underserved compared with short-stay travel platforms built around nightly rates. Management says the new funding will support product development, commercial growth and market expansion, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where demand for flexible, tech-enabled accommodation is expected to rise alongside broader economic diversification.
Market Opportunity and Platform Model
estaie’s central thesis is that the extended-stay market remains fragmented, with operators relying on manual processes, inconsistent pricing structures and outdated distribution systems that reduce efficiency for both property owners and guests. The company says those shortcomings create lost revenue opportunities, underused inventory and limited price transparency, especially for travelers seeking stays longer than a typical hotel booking but shorter than a conventional residential lease. To address that gap, estaie has built its core technology in-house and says the platform is supported by three pending patents, with AI used to improve pricing, demand matching and operational connectivity.
Leadership and Investor Perspective
The startup was founded in 2025 by chief executive Osama Shawky, who is described as a serial entrepreneur with six ventures and three exits, alongside chief technology officer Nimit Solanki and chief operating officer Mark Reed. Solanki brings product and engineering experience from companies including Careem, Grab and Deutsche Telekom, while Reed’s background spans travel and hospitality brands such as Finnair, Trailfinders and The Walt Disney Company. Investors backing the business said the company is tackling a large and underdeveloped market at the intersection of travel, property and technology, while also creating a more digital route for hotel partners to monetize longer-duration stays.
Traction and Regional Positioning
estaie said it has already built meaningful early momentum since launching in April 2025, pointing to growth on both the supply and demand sides of its marketplace. According to the company, it has signed more than 400 hotels and over 1,000 holiday homes, including three major regional agreements, while customers have booked more than 3,000 room nights through its website. The business also reported monthly growth of 17% to 18%, figures it says place it among the faster-growing hospitality technology startups in the region as it builds inventory and brand recognition.
The company’s proposition is aimed at travelers such as digital nomads, business professionals, relocating families and enterprise clients who want longer stays with more transparent pricing and fewer booking frictions. estaie says its model includes all-inclusive rates, no hidden fees and no booking charges, as well as a guaranteed minimum discount of 32% compared with other providers, though the long-term durability of that value proposition will depend on execution as the business scales. For now, the pre-seed round gives the startup financial backing and investor validation at an early stage, as it attempts to define a new category in regional hospitality technology.