• UAE-based digital investment platform Stryde has acquired Qora71 and rebranded it as Stryde71. The move marks Stryde’s entry into venture capital, expanding its multi-vertical investment platform regulated by the DFSA.
• Qora71, launched with the support of Hub71’s Angel Investor Support Package, is an angel network that facilitated over 50 investments and deployed more than $2 million in capital within just five months. Its syndicate model and 130+ angel network will now power Stryde71’s new venture arm.
• The acquisition enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in global startup deals via an end-to-end, community-driven platform. It also strengthens Abu Dhabi’s VC infrastructure, aligning with Hub71’s broader mission to grow the UAE as a global innovation hub.

Press release:

Stryde, a DFSA-regulated digital investment platform, has announced the acquisition of Qora71, the region’s fastest-growing angel investment network. As part of the deal, Qora71 will be rebranded as Stryde71, establishing a new vertical within the Stryde ecosystem focused on venture capital and technology deals syndication. 

The acquisition marks Stryde’s entry into global venture capital and strengthens its position as a multi-vertical private markets investment platform enabling individuals and institutions to seamlessly access global deals. Alongside Stryde Sports, Stryde71 expands venture capital access to both qualified and retail investors. Additional verticals are in development, as Stryde advances its mission to unlock high-quality alternative investments.     

Qora71 was launched with the support of Hub71’s Angel Investor Support Package with the aim of unlocking greater access to early-stage capital for founders across the Middle East. In just five months, the network built a community of more than 130 angel investors and facilitated more than 50 investments, deploying over $2 million in capital, with over $1m additional in the pipeline. Founded by Youssef Salem, Qora71 quickly became a platform for community-led investing, enabling strategic capital formation through a digitally enabled syndicate model.

“Bringing Qora71 into the Stryde family is a major milestone,” said Hadi Halabi, Co-founder, Stryde. “Yousef’s leadership and what Qora71 built at Hub71 in record time is nothing short of inspirational. Together, we’re unlocking the next generation of startup investing in the region and globally.”

Youssef Salem, who now joins Stryde as Partner said: “Qora71 was born out of a desire to give exceptional founders access to meaningful capital, connectivity, and market access, all powered by a community of strategic angels. In five short months, we proved that vision. Now with Stryde, we can scale that impact exponentially.”

Stryde71 combines Qora71’s community-driven syndicate model with Stryde’s DFSA-regulated platform, offering a seamless, end-to-end investment experience. Marking Stryde’s entry into Abu Dhabi via ADGM, the new arm enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in exclusive startup deals while giving founders a one-stop platform to raise capital across early and growth stages.

Basma Ahmed AlBadi AlDhaheri, Head of Value Creation at Hub71, said: “Through Qora71, we supported early-stage investors and catalysed meaningful outcomes, facilitating capital deployment into high-potential startups and accelerating their growth. The launch of Stryde71 is a natural next step. It reflects not only the success of the initiative but also the collective progress of our community and our broader mission to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s capital landscape.”

The acquisition reflects the growing momentum behind early-stage funding in Abu Dhabi and the increasing availability of infrastructure supporting founders across the venture landscape. As the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for innovation, Stryde71 represents a new model of regulated, community-driven investing designed to accelerate startup growth and attract global capital.