Dubai-based hospitality startup Seraya has raised $1.8 million in seed funding. The round was led by a Saudi family office and German family office DLL and brings Seraya’s total funding to $2.15 million.
Ibrahim Shami and Pepijn Haima founded Seraya in 2024 with the goal of building a hospitality brand that “reimagines the serviced accommodation space,” Haima wrote on LinkedIn.
To do so, the company secures long-term leases from property owners and then renovates and furnishes spaces. Seraya currently owns and operates apartments across several Dubai neighborhoods, including Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Dubai Marina.
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“We wanted to do things differently, placing the guest experience at the center and building a brand that feels intentional, personal and design-focused, aligned with the way people truly live, travel and work.”
Seraya also prioritizes wellness and “restorative travel,” adding amenities such as saunas and water filtration systems.
The company said the latest funding will help reach its goal of 50 properties in Dubai by year-end. On LinkedIn, Haima added that the capital will be used to grow Seraya’s team.
“Seraya has built a distinctive, high-margin model in one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world,” said Jakob Langen, managing director at DLL.
“Their ability to control the full value chain, from sourcing and design to operations, gives them a powerful advantage as they scale. We believe this approach positions Seraya to lead a new generation of hospitality brands.”