Qlub, the Dubai-born fintech that’s changing how diners pay for meals, has closed a $30 million funding round to support its global growth. The contactless payments platform, already used in thousands of restaurants across the UAE, KSA, Singapore, and beyond, allows customers to instantly scan a QR code to view the menu, order, split the bill, and pay without waiting for a server or using a card machine.
Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has quickly become a go-to digital layer for the hospitality sector. Its new funding round, co-led by long-time backers Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, also saw participation from telecom giant e&, sovereign investor Mubadala, and Legend Capital. The round reflects growing institutional interest in restaurant tech infrastructure.
"Qlub makes paying at restaurants ten times faster, and that elevates the entire dining experience," said Alkassar. "Why would any restaurant, anywhere in the world, choose to operate without it?"
Since launching, Qlub has expanded into 10 markets including Brazil, Australia, Qatar, and South Korea. It now processes billions of dollars in annual transaction volume and serves millions of diners each month. Clients include Paul Café, Wagamama, LPM, and Sushi Samba. Restaurants using Qlub report a 300 percent increase in tips, an 80 percent reduction in checkout times, and a significant drop in labor costs, particularly around front-of-house staffing.
For investors like Shorooq, Qlub represents more than a payments solution. "Eyad and Mahmoud have consistently proven that they can blend product innovation with deep market understanding," said Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq. "This is not just a fintech play. It is a new infrastructure layer for hospitality in a digital-first world."
The company plans to use the capital to expand into new regions, strengthen product analytics, and integrate more deeply with hospitality platforms. Qlub also aims to provide restaurants with deeper insights into customer behavior and preferences through advanced data tools.
In a region where hospitality spend per capita is among the highest globally, Qlub’s growth reflects broader shifts toward experience-led, tech-enabled dining. Its adoption in Asia-Pacific and Latin America suggests that the model has strong potential beyond the Gulf.
Fouz called the latest investment a vote of confidence in the company’s long-term vision. "We’re grateful for the support of our investors, both new and returning," he said. "It is a pivotal moment for the global hospitality industry, and we are excited to be building at the center of that transformation."
