Riyadh-based credit infrastructure startup Orbii has raised $3.6 million in seed funding, signaling a new chapter for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending in the Middle East. The round was led by Prosus Ventures, with participation from VentureSouq, Dash Ventures, Taz Investments, and Sanabil 500.
The company now aims to power $1 billion in SME loans by 2026, reshaping access to credit for thousands of underserved businesses across the region.
Tackling SME Lending Gaps
SMEs form the backbone of MENA economies but often struggle to secure loans due to lengthy approval processes, outdated systems, and high default concerns. Orbii was founded in 2024 to tackle these structural challenges with an AI-first approach.
The platform integrates directly with banks, fintechs, and B2B platforms, embedding SME lending within existing workflows. This makes credit access faster, smarter, and more reliable.
- AI-driven underwriting for accurate risk assessment
- Instant disbursement to speed up loan approvals
- Embedded lending directly into POS, ERP, and digital banking systems
By removing manual bottlenecks, Orbii gives SMEs access to credit within minutes instead of weeks.
A New Model for Embedded Finance
According to Co-founder and CEO Nauman Ali, Orbii’s vision is clear:
“We envision a MENA where every business can access credit instantly, embedded within the systems and workflows they already use. Credit decisioning won’t be a process—it’ll be a reflex.”
The company’s AI models analyze real-time business data to improve loan approval rates and reduce defaults. This approach not only boosts efficiency but also enables lenders to serve previously overlooked SMEs.
For banks and financial institutions, Orbii acts as an enabler—allowing them to launch and scale SME lending products without building infrastructure from scratch.
Scaling Across Saudi Arabia and Beyond
With the fresh funding, Orbii plans to:
- Expand engineering and data science teams to refine AI-driven credit solutions
- Deepen integrations with major financial systems across the region
- Grow operations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with a target of 2026 for large-scale expansion
By positioning itself as the credit infrastructure layer for MENA, Orbii is aligning with regional priorities like Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to boost SME contributions to national GDP.
The Bigger Picture
Orbii’s rise highlights a broader fintech wave across MENA, where startups are using AI. Such companies want to modernize legacy systems and unlock new growth opportunities. With its embedded finance model and strong investor backing, Orbii could become a pivotal player in closing the SME credit gap across the region.