OasisLend – Bridging the UAE Lending Gap for SMEs
Introduction
OasisLend at a Glance - A lending marketplace
The mission: bridge the massive SME financing gap with a faster, inclusive, and Shariah-compliant funding alternative.

OasisLend is a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform focused on the United Arab Emirates, aiming to connect underserved small businesses with a crowd of global investors. We are Planning to launch as a fintech venture to leverage Dubai's regulatory sandbox and global financial hub status.
Status (Today): Pre-launch. Not yet incorporated in the UAE. Not yet licensed/authorized. No UAE operations live. Licensing (DIFC/DFSA) is planned and subject to regulatory approvals.
The Challenge
SMEs Starved of Funding in the UAE
SME Credit Gap
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy (50% of GCC GDP) yet face a chronic funding shortfall of ~$250 billion in the GCC. In the UAE, SMEs comprise ~94% of businesses but receive only a single-digit share of bank credit (5–8%) – the lowest share globally.
Bank Exclusion
Traditional banks' stringent criteria leave most SMEs underserved. Only 28% of UAE SMEs have ever accessed bank financing, highlighting systemic exclusion. Banks prioritize large corporates (80+% of lending to big firms/government) and demand exorbitant collateral (200–250% of loan value vs ~140% for corporates). Many viable businesses lack such collateral or lengthy credit history.
Slow & Cumbersome Process
Even when SMEs qualify, bank loans are slow and bureaucratic – averaging 8–12 weeks for approval. This is far too slow for entrepreneurs needing quick working capital or to seize time-sensitive opportunities (e.g. stocking inventory at discount). The result? A "missing middle" of SMEs that outgrew micro-loans but can't secure timely bank credit.

Consequences: UAE entrepreneurs face cash flow crunches and resort to costly measures. 51% of B2B invoices are paid late in the UAE, causing many SMEs to juggle expensive short-term credit or delay growth. High interest rates recently have further raised borrowing hurdles, squeezing SME margins. In sum, tens of thousands of growth-ready businesses are undercapitalized, stifling innovation, job creation, and non-oil GDP expansion.
Our Approach
OasisLend P2P Platform
1. Democratized Lending
OasisLend is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that bypasses traditional banks, allowing multiple private lenders to directly fund SME loans online. This debt crowdfunding model provides distributed loans without the usual banking bureaucracy. We bring speed, efficiency, and access where banks fall short.
2. How It Works
Qualified businesses apply on our digital platform, undergo a fast but rigorous credit evaluation, and if approved are listed for funding. Individual investors (retail, high-net-worth, family offices) can browse loan opportunities and invest small or large amounts in each, building a diversified portfolio. Our tech automates matching, documentation, and repayments, ensuring a seamless experience.
3. Value Proposition
SME borrowers get quick, affordable financing (funds in days, not months) to fuel expansion or manage cash flow – without giving up equity or 200% collateral. Investors (lenders) target attractive returns (typically ~8–12% annual) on curated loan deals, far above bank deposit rates, while supporting local business growth. OasisLend generates revenue through modest origination and service fees, aligning our success with loan performance.
4. Innovation & Inclusion
OasisLend employs advanced AI-driven credit scoring and alternative data to assess SME creditworthiness beyond just financial statements. By leveraging UAE's new credit bureau data and our proprietary algorithms (honed in India's market), we can safely extend credit to deserving SMEs that lack lengthy credit histories or collateral. Our platform is Planned to be Shariah-compliant.(provided the regulation allows)
Market Opportunity
Why UAE, Why Now?
1
Huge Unmet Demand
The UAE SME lending gap is tens of billions of dollars, part of a $250B regional opportunity. Unmet SME credit demand in MENA is estimated >$40B even by conservative measures. This gap represents both a pressing socio-economic challenge and a vast profit opportunity – EY estimates a potential $7B profit pool in meeting this SME financing need.
2
Fintech-Friendly Environment
The UAE is a Middle East fintech hub, supported by government and forward-thinking regulators. In 2020, the SCA rolled out crowdfunding regulations, legalizing P2P lending. Platforms require licensing and strict investor protections (e.g., AED 10M cap per campaign, disclosures, AML compliance), fostering trust. DIFC's DFSA also offers a tailored crowdfunding regime for cross-border investments, requiring higher investor sophistication.
3
Government Initiatives
UAE policymakers recognize SME funding as critical to economic growth (e.g. Operation 300bn to boost industrial SMEs). National banks and development funds (EDB with AED 30bn commitment) are pushing SME finance, but cannot bridge the gap alone. This alignment of government vision and private fintech innovation creates a perfect timing for OasisLend's launch.
4
Early Validation in UAE
P2P lending is a proven concept in the UAE – but only just beginning. The first mover, Beehive, launched in 2014 and has facilitated over AED 650M (~$177M) in SME loans to date (over $650M including regional expansion). In 2025, Beehive surpassed $1 billion in total financing across 2,100+ SME loans, yet this is still a drop in the ocean compared to the $250B gap. Investor appetite is strong: Beehive attracted 18,500+ users by 2023 and delivered consistent returns with <2% NPL (defaults) on average.
Technology
Product & Technology – Fast, Smart, and Secure
Seamless Digital Platform
OasisLend will be a mobile-friendly web platform with an intuitive interface for both borrowers and lenders. SMEs can apply in less than 30 minutes by uploading financials and business info. Our system planned to integrated with the data sources to instantly pull credit scores and credit histories, reducing manual paperwork. Automated bank statement analysis and cashflow projections help evaluate deals in hours, not weeks.
AI-Powered Credit Scoring
Our proprietary risk engine (refined from the Indian market) uses machine learning models on alternative data – e.g. POS sales, invoices, VAT returns, online reviews, and even supply chain data – to assess SME health where traditional credit models fail. This allows us to identify "near-prime" borrowers that are creditworthy but overlooked by banks.
Investor Dashboard
Lenders on OasisLend will have a dashboard to browse investment opportunities with key metrics (interest rate, term, risk grade, sector, etc.). They can diversify easily by allocating small amounts (e.g. $1k) across many loans, or use auto-invest tools to build a portfolio matching their criteria. We emphasize transparency – investors see where their money goes, and receive monthly repayments which can be withdrawn or reinvested.
Security & Compliance
Trust is paramount in fintech. OasisLend will operate under DFSA regulatory oversight (in DIFC)- Subject to licensign and approval, ensuring compliance with crowdfunding rules, investor suitability checks, and robust anti-money laundering controls. Client funds are held in escrow accounts (we never commingle funds). Our platform will employ high-grade encryption and cybersecurity measures to protect data and transactions.
Competitive Landscape
White Space in P2P Lending
Traditional Lenders
Commercial banks (e.g. Emirates NBD, FAB) are the incumbents for SME loans, but as noted, they underserve the segment (only ~8% of bank lending to SMEs). Banks have lengthy processes, high collateral demands, and focus on large, low-risk clients. Government-backed lenders (e.g. Emirates Development Bank) offer subsidized SME loans but typically to later-stage or industrial firms, not startups.
Existing P2P/Crowd Platforms
Beehive is the primary P2P lending player in the UAE. It pioneered the model and proved demand, but its focus and model differ from ours in key ways:
Target Segment
Beehive mainly serves established SMEs (2+ years operation, >AED 2M revenue, profitable or near-profit). Many younger startups or fast-growing early-stage companies cannot pass Beehive's strict criteria. This "missing middle" of creditworthy but thin-file SMEs is OasisLend's sweet spot.
Speed & Flexibility
Beehive's process, while faster than banks, can still take up to several weeks (~45 days) from application to funding. OasisLend aims to cut that dramatically (target <2 weeks) through automation. We will also offer more flexible loan terms (including smaller ticket sizes
Product Differentiation
Where Beehive requires personal guarantees and post-dated cheques under DIFC law, OasisLend will explore innovative substitutes - for example, leveraging inventory or receivables as security.
Market Position
Beehive has done ~4 billion AED in loans (≈$1B) in 9 years, showing strong traction. It was recently acquired (63% stake) by e& (Etisalat) for $23.6M, reflecting a modest exit valuation given the opportunity size - signaling upside for new entrants. Other platforms in the region are mostly equity crowdfunding (e.g. Eureeca) or niche (real estate crowdfunding). No major dedicated P2P lending platform exists in the UAE focused on our target segment - OasisLend will be among the first to fill this gap.
Global Players & Comparable Models
Globally, P2P lending has produced multi-billion dollar companies (Funding Circle in the UK, LendingClub in the US, etc.), but none have a direct presence in MENA. OasisLend localizes the best elements of these models for the UAE context. The global P2P market is booming, projected to grow from ~$176 billion in 2025 to $1.38 trillion by 2034 (25%+ CAGR). We see an opportunity to become the regional leader in this space before international competitors arrive. Our head start in understanding local regulations and culture.
Track Record
Traction & Experience – Leveraging Experience
Proven Record
OasisLend Pre-launch in UAE; backed by experienced operators from India. it's backed by a team that has done this before. Our founding team built and operates a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) licensed P2P lending platform in India (one of only 26 such licensed platforms in a market of 1.4B people). Through that venture, we facilitated loans to thousands of borrowers, achieving strong portfolio performance and regulatory compliance. India's P2P lending industry has now disbursed over ₹20,000 Cr (~$2.5B) cumulatively, and our platform was among the early innovators in this space.
Key Learnings
Operating in India's fintech space gave us deep insights into credit risk management, borrower acquisition, and tech scaling for P2P:
  • We developed robust underwriting models for thin-credit borrowers, reducing default rates while maintaining high approval rates. (Our Indian platform's default rate remained in low single digits, comparable to bank NPLs).
  • We learned how to build investor trust through transparency, education, and consistent returns. Notably, Indian P2P lenders earned 10–12% net returns.
Milestones to Date
Since deciding to launch to the UAE, we have made swift progress. OasisLend is planned to operate in the DIFC Innovation Hub and complaint with the Dubai Financial Services Authority for an Innovation Testing License (fintech sandbox license). Our MVP platform is under development with core modules ported from the Indian system, allowing us to localize features faster.
Early Interest
We are expecting demand from – UAE SMEs (from incubator networks and referrals) to express interest in pilot loans once we launch. Similarly, we are planing to pitch to individual investors (expat professionals and local businesspeople) eager to join the platform seeking better yields than bank deposits.
Economics
Business Model – Scalable & Profitable
Revenue Streams
OasisLend's model is asset-light and highly scalable. We earn fees on each loan facilitated:
  • Origination Fee – Charged to borrowers on successful funding (~3–5% of the loan amount, similar to Beehive's 2–5%). For example, a AED 500k loan might generate ~AED 20k fee. This is our primary revenue driver.
  • Investor Service Fee – A small annual fee (e.g. 1%) on outstanding loan principal for investors, deducted from repayments. Investors gladly pay this for platform maintenance given their net yields remain high (if a lender earns 12% gross and pays 1% fee, net 11% is still very attractive).
  • Late Fees & Ancillary – We collect fees/penalties from borrowers for late payments, part of which may be shared with lenders as compensations, and part kept as revenue. We may also introduce premium services (e.g. portfolio insurance, credit insights) for investors as optional add-ons.
Costs & Margins
Costs primarily involve technology development, credit operations (underwriting and collections), compliance, and marketing. The unit economics are compelling: acquiring a borrower has some upfront cost, but each loan can generate thousands in fees. With repeat borrowing (many SMEs will return for multiple rounds as they grow) and network effects on the investor side, customer lifetime value is high. As volume scales, our operating costs per loan drop significantly (automation and AI reduce manual work), leading to high profit margins at scale.
Scalability
P2P marketplace benefit from a network effect – more investors mean we can fund more loans quickly, attracting more SMEs; more quality loan deals attract more investors seeking yield. OasisLend will scale across the UAE and GCC via this dynamic. We plan to expand into neighboring Gulf markets (Saudi, Oman, etc.) tapping their SME sectors and replicating our model (notably, Beehive expanded to Saudi & Oman successfully, showing cross-border demand). Because we don't lend off our balance sheet, our growth is not constrained by heavy capital requirements; instead, technology and trust are our growth engines.
Financial Outlook
In estimated projections, we aim to facilitate AED 100M+ in loans within 3 years of launch (roughly 200–300 SME loans). This would generate AED 4–5M in revenue at a 4% blended fee rate. By year 3–4, capturing even a 1% of the UAE SME credit gap (AED 1.8B of the estimated AED 180B+ gap) translates to ~AED 18B in loans – a massive upside. While 1% seems small, it would mean building a loan book of ~$5B, which demonstrates the long-term potential. More realistically, we target reaching ~AED 1B in cumulative loans by year 5, which at 4% fee would be ~AED 40M revenue annually, with healthy profit margins (30%+ EBITDA, given primarily fixed costs).

These figures underscore that investing in OasisLend is not just about a single startup – it's about capturing a share of a multi-billion dollar fintech opportunity in the Middle East.
Illustrative economics; subject to licensing, market response, and risk outcomes.
Funding
Investment Ask – Join Us in Transforming Finance
Funding Requirement
We are seeking Pre-Seed funding to propel OasisLend through launch and early growth. This round will give us an 18–24 month runway to achieve key milestones. (Notably, our ask is in line with the capital intensity of fintech; for context, our competitor Beehive raised around $10.5M total by its Series A). Use of Funds -The investment will be allocated strategically:
40%
Technology & Product Development
15%
Regulatory Capital & Licensing
20%
Talent & Operations
15%
Marketing & User Acquisition
10%
Contingency/Other
Investor Benefits
By investing now, you join us at the ground floor of UAE's fintech revolution in lending. We offer not just equity ownership, but a chance to shape financial inclusion in a high-growth market. Potential exit avenues include strategic acquisition (as demonstrated by e&'s buyout of Beehive), or a regional expansion leading to a larger Series A/B and beyond.
"In the UAE, 30% of SMEs are already looking beyond banks for financing" – OasisLend is poised to be the platform they choose. This investment enables us to launch a proven model in a ripe market, backed by an experienced team. Together, we can unlock growth for thousands of businesses and deliver outstanding returns to investors. Join us, and let's build the UAE's leading P2P lending platform, making financial history in the region.
Leadership
Team – FinTech Expertise and Local Insight
Founders
Leadership Team
Advisors & Partners
Why This Team: Investors invest in people, and our team's blend of startup hustle and domain expertise is second to none in this space. We have built fintech and edutech startups from scratch, know how to navigate regulatory hurdles, and crucially, understand the UAE market nuances (our team includes Indian executives familiar with business culture. We are passionate about financial inclusion and have the proven ability to execute in P2P lending – the ideal combo to make OasisLend a market leader.
Where We Are Today & Launch Plan
OasisLend is currently in its pre-launch phase, building the foundation for a transformative SME lending platform in the UAE. Our strategic plan outlines a clear path from regulatory approvals to market scaling.
Foundation & Regulatory Gateway
Pre-incorporation and pre-license, we are preparing for legal entity formation and application for an Innovation Testing License (ITL) or sandbox entry.
Product Development & Pilot
Simultaneously, we will develop our Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and conduct a controlled pilot to test functionality and market fit.
Full Scale & Growth
Following a successful pilot, we will secure a full operating license and execute our strategy for broader market launch and rapid scaling.
Key Dependencies for Successful Launch
Our launch timeline hinges on several critical elements:
  • Timely regulatory approvals (DFSA/SCA licensing)
  • Establishment of robust trustee and escrow agreements
  • Integration with credit bureaus and essential data providers
  • Implementation of a secure KYC/AML compliance stack
  • Strategic technology partnerships and platform development
Appendix
References
Market Validation
Beehive – first UAE P2P lender, $650M+ funded, acquired by e&; Maintains <2% default rates proving P2P can be low-risk. Regulatory frameworks by SCA and DFSA fully enable crowdfunding since 2020.
SME Pain Points
GCC banks lend mostly to corporates, SMEs get <10% of credit; ~72% of UAE SMEs have no bank loans. Collateral demands ~220% on average for SME loans – many SMEs are asset-light (tech, services) so they're shut out. Average bank loan approval 2–3 months vs our target of <2 weeks.
Global Trends
Global P2P lending market to grow 25%+ CAGR, reaching ~$1.3 trillion by 2034. Investors worldwide are hungry for yield: P2P offers ~10% returns historically (e.g. Beehive investors earned ~9–11% net per year). UAE has high internet/mobile penetration and a fintech-savvy youth population, aiding rapid adoption of digital finance.
India Expansion Insights
India has 26 RBI-licensed P2P platforms now (up from zero in 2017) – clear proof that sensible regulation can foster a thriving P2P industry. Our team's Indian platform tapped into this successfully, and we intend to replicate that playbook in the Gulf, with appropriate local tweaks.
Regulatory Note
We will likely operate under a DFSA Innovation Testing License initially in DIFC to pilot the platform in a controlled environment, then graduate to a full DFSA crowdfunding license. Alternatively, we may seek a license under SCA if focusing on onshore UAE market – in either case, compliance is a core competency for us, not a risk. Recent DFSA regulations encourage fintech innovation while safeguarding investors, giving us a robust framework to grow under.
Exit/Return Potential
Aside from the e& acquisition of Beehive, note that successful P2P companies globally have achieved strong exits: Funding Circle IPO'd at a £1.5B valuation, and LendingClub at ~$8B. While those markets differ, they illustrate the scale potential. Even regionally, fintech multiples are attractive – for instance, Network International (payments) IPO, and several MENA fintechs raising at $100M+ valuations. As OasisLend scales regionally, we could be an attractive acquisition target for banks or larger fintech aggregators looking to plug into SME lending, or we pursue an IPO once we dominate key markets. Our investors today stand to gain a significant first-mover premium in the burgeoning Middle East P2P lending sector.
(Sources for statistics and statements: UAE Securities & Commodities Authority (crowdfunding regs), DFSA guidelines, Forbes ME, Channel Capital Advisors report, Euromoney, Beehive platform data, and our internal analysis. All citations are provided in the written version of this deck for reference.)