The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is investing in a $12 million Pre-Series C funding round for VUZ, a UAE-based immersive media company making waves in the live-streaming and extended reality (XR) space.
The funding round, which also attracted support from Al Jazira Capital and Crosswork VC Success Fund, will help fuel VUZ’s global expansion into immersive live-streaming, AI-powered streaming tools, and real-time spatial experiences. According to the company, these advancements aim to reshape how users around the world engage with digital media.
Founded in the Gulf and now eyeing international markets, VUZ is setting its sights on further growth in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, alongside strategic expansion into Africa, the United States, and Asia. The platform has seen sharp momentum, reporting an 80% year-over-year increase in gross profit in 2024, underscoring its commercial potential in the booming media-tech sector.
The IFC’s decision to back VUZ aligns with its broader goal of promoting digital inclusion, technological innovation, and economic development in emerging markets. With a global portfolio of over $1 trillion in assets, the IFC operates in more than 100 countries, often investing in initiatives that aim to bridge the digital divide and foster sustainable growth.
VUZ’s platform allows users to step inside live events, concerts, and experiences through cutting-edge XR and spatial video technologies—blending digital and real worlds for a new generation of viewers. With the fresh funding, the company aims to scale its proprietary tech, enhance its AI-driven capabilities, and forge new partnerships that expand its global footprint.
As demand for immersive experiences continues to surge, VUZ is positioning itself as a regional innovator with global ambitions—now bolstered by the World Bank’s powerful investment arm.
