A new hospitality financing player has entered the UAE market to solve the cash flow crunch for food and beverage operators. Mezza, an alternative funding platform, officially launched its operations alongside the close of a seed round backed by high-profile regional and global tech founders.
Quick Facts
-
Capital advances range from AED 20,000 to AED 10,000,000.
-
Restaurants exchange upfront funding for future dining credits.
-
Seed round backed by PropertyFinder, Jellysmack, and Deel executives.
Replacing Debt with Dining Credits in the UAE F&B Sector
Food and beverage operators frequently encounter a dual challenge: securing capital for operations without sacrificing equity or taking on high-interest loans, while simultaneously ensuring steady customer traffic. Mezza tackles this bottleneck through a direct value exchange model tailored for independent restaurants and hospitality groups.
The platform provides immediate funding in exchange for future food and beverage credit. Mezza purchases this credit at a wholesale rate and subsequently distributes it to its app members.
As members redeem their credits over a typical 12-month timeline, partner venues benefit from guaranteed customer visits and spread-out operational costs.
“Restaurants often face two major challenges: access to capital and the ability to consistently attract new customers,” said Kevin Boubil, Founder of Mezza.
Boubil noted that the platform was built to solve both issues by providing funding without debt or dilution, helping venues bring more diners through their doors throughout the entire year rather than just on weekends.
Seed Funding and Early UAE Hospitality Partnerships
To drive its initial rollout, Mezza closed a seed funding round featuring participation from prominent tech leaders, including the founders of PropertyFinder and Jellysmack, alongside the chairman of Deel.
The startup has already secured partnerships with established UAE dining operators, including Gates Hospitality, Rosy Hospitality, Chic Nonna, and Fab Food Co.
The company focuses its partner selection on casual and fine dining concepts with strong reputations and high-quality guest experiences.
“Our goal is to empower restaurants to grow on their own terms,” added Boubil. “Independent operators often face challenges securing financing without giving up ownership. Mezza provides an alternative that supports both financial stability and consistent customer footfall.”
About Mezza
Mezza is a hospitality platform that provides restaurants with upfront capital in exchange for future food and beverage credit. The model allows venues to scale operations without relying on debt or equity dilution. By combining financial backing with targeted marketing technology, the platform helps partner restaurants attract new diners, increase footfall, and maintain consistent revenue over the year.
Source: Zawya
