Qlub, the UAE-based contactless dining payment platform, has secured $30 million in new funding to accelerate its global expansion. The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with participation from e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital.
This marks a major milestone for the fintech startup, founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, as it continues to reshape how diners experience payments across restaurants worldwide.
A Seamless Dining Experience
Qlub’s platform enables diners to scan a QR code, view the menu, order, and pay—without waiting for a waiter or dealing with physical menus or cash. This simple shift results in major benefits for restaurants and guests alike:
- ✅ 80% faster checkout process
- ✅ 300% increase in tips
- ✅ 7x boost in Google reviews
- ✅ Significant reduction in labor costs
- ✅ Improved space usage with fewer cashier counters
Thousands of restaurants globally have adopted Qlub’s system, including well-known names like Paul Cafe, Wagamama, Sushi Samba, and La Petite Maison (LPM).
Backed by Industry Giants
This funding round reaffirms investor confidence in Qlub’s mission to digitize hospitality. Existing and new investors bring powerful expertise and strategic reach:
- ✅ Shorooq Partners – Long-time supporters of Qlub from the seed stage
- ✅ Cherry Ventures – Returning investor with a deep focus on global tech
- ✅ e& (Etisalat Group) – Driving digital transformation across the region
- ✅ Mubadala Investments – Strategic investor reinforcing Qlub’s market position
“We saw Qlub not just as a payments solution, but as new infrastructure for hospitality in a digital world,” said Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq. “The team blends innovation with a deep understanding of user behavior.”
Rapid Global Traction
Since its launch, Qlub has scaled quickly across key markets including:
- ✅ UAE
- ✅ Saudi Arabia
- ✅ Singapore
- ✅ Hong Kong
- ✅ Australia
- ✅ Brazil
- ✅ Qatar, Kuwait, and Korea
The platform now processes billions of dollars annually and serves millions of users monthly, making it one of the most adopted QR-based restaurant payment solutions worldwide.
“Qlub simplifies dining while increasing efficiency,” said Filip Dames, Founding Partner at Cherry Ventures. “We’re proud to back them again as they expand globally.”
What’s Next for Qlub?
With the fresh capital, Qlub plans to:
- ✅ Expand to new international markets
- ✅ Deepen integration with hospitality tech platforms
- ✅ Enhance analytics tools to help restaurants understand guest behavior
- ✅ Strengthen partnerships with key players in food tech and digital payments
“Qlub makes paying ten times faster—and that lifts the entire dining experience,” said Eyad Alkassar, co-founder and co-CEO.
“We’re grateful for the continued support from our investors,” added Mahmoud Fouz, co-founder and co-CEO. “We’re just getting started.”