VUZ, the Saudi-based immersive video platform headquartered in Riyadh, has raised $12 million in a Pre-Series C funding round to accelerate its expansion across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Africa, Asia, and the United States — bringing total capital raised to over $35 million.
IFC Leads the VUZ Funding Round
The round was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, with participation from Al Jazira Capital, Crosswork VC Success Fund, and several prominent Saudi family offices. CrossWorks Mobile Software AG also joined as a strategic investor.
The IFC's involvement is notable: the institution typically focuses on banking and infrastructure projects in emerging markets. Its decision to back a consumer tech startup signals growing institutional confidence in the so-called "immersive internet" and its potential to transform digital media.
What VUZ Does
Founded in 2017 by Khaled Zaatarah, VUZ (formerly known as 360VUZ) lets viewers watch live events — football matches, fashion shows, concerts, red-carpet ceremonies — from every angle using 360-degree immersive video. The platform is available on smartphones, smart TVs, Apple Vision Pro, Oculus headsets, and its proprietary VUZGo device.
The company holds four global patents and has amassed a library of over 30,000 hours of premium immersive content, including exclusive broadcast rights to La Liga, Serie A, and the Professional Fighters League (PFL). VUZ has also integrated with more than 40 telecom operators worldwide.
Rapid Growth and Profitability
VUZ achieved EBITDA profitability in 2024, alongside 80% year-over-year gross profit growth — a significant milestone for a media tech scaleup competing against YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The platform's 100-plus content creators collectively reach over 100 million people, and the company has logged nearly 3 billion lifetime screen views, with a target of 5 billion by 2026.
Founder Zaatarah credited IFC's decision to invest as validation of the business model: "They pick only emerging markets, and our quick and steady growth in content and creators caught their attention. The company is now in a position to expand its activities around the world."
Global Expansion Plans
The fresh capital will fund VUZ's push into high-growth markets where demand for immersive experiences and next-generation media is accelerating rapidly. Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain core markets, while Africa, Asia, and the US represent the next frontier.
The move builds on VUZ's $20 million Series B raised in October 2022, and positions the platform as a challenger in the global streaming space — differentiated by exclusive, venue-quality live experiences that flat-screen competitors cannot replicate.
Saudi Arabia Remains a Key Market for VUZ
Saudi Arabia remains central to VUZ's growth strategy as the Kingdom continues investing heavily in technology, entertainment, sports, and digital infrastructure. The country's expanding events and entertainment ecosystem creates opportunities for immersive video platforms that can connect audiences with experiences beyond traditional broadcasting.
For VUZ, Saudi Arabia also provides a strong base for international expansion. With its headquarters in Riyadh and established relationships across the region, the company can use the Kingdom as a launchpad while developing its presence in other international markets.
The UAE is another important market for the company, particularly as Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue attracting major sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, fashion programmes, and other large-scale experiences. These events provide potential opportunities for VUZ to deliver immersive coverage to viewers who cannot attend in person.
Building a New Type of Digital Viewing Experience
Traditional video platforms generally place viewers in front of a fixed camera angle. VUZ takes a different approach by allowing audiences to explore an event from multiple perspectives.
Its 360-degree technology is designed to create a greater sense of presence, allowing viewers to look around an environment rather than simply watching a conventional video feed. This can be particularly relevant for live entertainment, sports, concerts, and major cultural events where the atmosphere and surroundings form an important part of the experience.
The company has also expanded beyond smartphones and conventional screens. Support for smart TVs, Apple Vision Pro, Oculus headsets and the VUZGo device gives users multiple ways to access immersive content.
This approach reflects the company's broader ambition to make immersive video part of mainstream digital entertainment rather than limiting the technology to specialised virtual reality experiences.
VUZ Expands Its Content and Creator Network
Content remains a major part of VUZ's strategy. The company has built a large library of immersive material while developing relationships with creators, broadcasters, telecom operators and major entertainment organisations.
Its network of more than 40 telecom operators provides another route for reaching audiences around the world. At the same time, the platform's creator community gives VUZ access to additional content and audiences beyond traditional media partnerships.
The combination of proprietary technology, premium rights and creator-generated content gives the company several potential growth channels as it expands internationally.
Sports represent one particularly important area. Exclusive immersive coverage can offer fans a different way to experience matches and sporting events, while partnerships with major competitions can help VUZ attract viewers who are looking for alternatives to traditional broadcasts.
Funding Supports the Next Stage of Growth
The latest $12 million investment gives VUZ additional resources as it enters its next stage of development. Bringing total funding above $35 million provides the company with a stronger financial foundation to invest in technology, content, partnerships and international expansion.
The participation of IFC also adds an important institutional dimension to the funding round. As a member of the World Bank Group, IFC invests in private-sector businesses across emerging markets, making its involvement significant for a Saudi-founded technology company seeking to expand globally.
VUZ's ability to reach profitability while continuing to expand its content library and international network provides another important part of its growth story.
As immersive technology continues developing, the company will face competition from established social media, streaming and entertainment platforms. Its strategy is to differentiate itself through immersive live experiences, proprietary technology and premium content partnerships.
With fresh funding and an expanding international footprint, VUZ is now looking beyond its regional origins. The company's next phase will focus on turning its immersive video technology into a global media platform, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE serving as important foundations for that ambition.
