Dubai – Sharikat Mubasher: VUZ, the immersive video platform offering 360-degree content from global events, has raised $12 million in a pre-Series C round to deepen its footprint in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while expanding into Africa, Asia, and the U.S.

According to a recent press release, this round was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), marking one of its rare forays into consumer tech. Other investors included Al Jazira Capital, CrossWork VC’s Success Fund, and several prominent Saudi family offices.

IFC noted that VUZ’s focus on emerging markets, scalable content, and creator economy potential made it an attractive investment. Khaled Zaatarah, VUZ’s CEO, said the company’s rapid growth and creator partnerships aligned with IFC’s vision for digital innovation in underserved regions.

Originally known as 360VUZ, the platform delivers immersive experiences from events like the Grammys and La Liga matches via mobile apps, VR headsets, and smart TVs. VUZ has secured exclusive content deals with La Liga and the Professional Fighters League, and works with over 100 creators who collectively reach more than 100 million fans.

Now active in 15+ markets with offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and the U.S., VUZ plans further expansion in South Africa, India, and Indonesia. It recently reached EBITDA profitability and claims a 3x jump in screen views since 2022.