VUZ, the rising immersive video platform known for transporting users to red carpets, concerts, and sports stadiums, has secured $12 million in fresh funding. The round, a pre-Series C, will support the company’s growing footprint in Saudi Arabia and the UAE while accelerating its expansion into Africa, Asia, and the United States.
The round was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), marking one of the World Bank Group arm’s rare forays into consumer tech. Other backers included Al Jazira Capital, CrossWork VC’s Success Fund, and several Saudi family offices.
For IFC, the decision to invest in VUZ underscores a strategic shift toward high-impact platforms in emerging markets. “They’re focused on scale in regions we care about,” said founder and CEO Khaled Zaatarah. “They saw how we’re building both creator infrastructure and immersive experiences in markets often overlooked by global tech.”
Betting Big on the Immersive Internet
VUZ, previously known as 360VUZ, offers immersive video content that places users inside major global events—from the Grammys and Oscars to La Liga matches and Dubai fashion shows. It competes with tech giants like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, but differentiates itself by offering 360-degree and VR-friendly content, accessible via mobile, smart TVs, and headsets like Apple Vision Pro and Oculus.
The platform has grown to 15 million users worldwide—up from 10 million in 2022—and logs nearly 3 billion screen views, tripling its total in just two years. Its library includes content from over 100 creators with a combined audience reach of 100 million. Exclusive partnerships with La Liga and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have bolstered its content pipeline.
In developed markets like the U.S., where streaming saturation and churn dominate the conversation, VUZ is pivoting from organic growth to targeted paid marketing. The goal: capture users watching high-profile events and convert them into long-term subscribers.
In emerging markets—such as Nigeria, Indonesia, and Kenya—VUZ is forging ahead with local telecom partnerships to distribute its app. The company says it now has over 40 partnerships globally, a key part of its strategy to deepen regional reach while keeping data costs low for users.
Scaling With Creators, Profitably
Unlike platforms that rely on large-scale production budgets, VUZ operates more like a gig economy for immersive content. It equips freelance creators with proprietary cameras and training, allowing them to shoot and upload high-quality 360-degree videos from anywhere. These creators often repay the equipment costs over time, similar to Uber’s driver model.
This lean content strategy has paid off. VUZ has doubled its revenue in the past two years and saw an 80% jump in gross profit last year. The company reached EBITDA profitability in 2024—an increasingly rare feat for growth-stage consumer tech platforms.
Its monetization model continues to evolve. Today, around 40% of VUZ’s content sits behind a paywall, available via annual subscriptions or bundled telecom plans. The rest remains free and ad-supported.
The platform also provides backend support through VUZ Studio, an internal production team that helps creators quickly edit and package content for publishing. It even offers live commerce tools, enabling creators—especially women influencers—to sell beauty and fashion items in real time during livestreams.
Zaatarah sees this full-stack approach as key to growth in markets underserved by traditional platforms. “YouTube and Netflix are global, but they’re not building monetization tools for creators in Nairobi or Riyadh,” he said. “We are.”
With offices already established in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and the U.S., the startup is now hiring in India and Indonesia. In Africa, VUZ is live in Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt, with plans to enter South Africa later this year.
The company has bold ambitions. It’s targeting 5 billion screen views by 2026 and is betting that immersive, local-first content will become the next major wave in digital entertainment.
As Farid Fezoua, IFC’s Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, put it: “VUZ’s tech edge and global reach align well with our mandate to support scalable platforms that empower creators.”
