Dubai, UAE – Seraya, the Dubai-based PropTech and hospitality startup, has successfully closed a $1.8 million seed round, bringing its total funding to $2.15 million. The round was led by a Saudi family office and Germany’s DLL family office, with participation from strategic angel investors. The funding, a mix of equity and debt, will fuel Seraya’s ambitious expansion across Dubai’s premium short-term rental market.
Founded in October 2024 by Pepijn Haima and Ibrahim Shami, Seraya has been profitable from day one, achieving 92%+ occupancy and a perfect 5.0 guest rating. The company operates a growing portfolio of luxury apartments in sought-after districts including Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Marina, offering the consistency of a hotel with the warmth of a home.
Unlike traditional operators, Seraya secures long-term leases (5+ years), fully renovates and furnishes each unit, and manages the entire guest experience. This vertically integrated model provides complete control over design, operations, and quality—ensuring a consistently premium product.
With the new funding, Seraya is targeting 50 units by the end of 2025, with upcoming launches in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, and select villa communities. The company also designs and manufactures its own bespoke furniture locally, enabling fast scaling and a unified brand identity.
“We’re building something intentional,” said Pepijn Haima, Co-Founder of Seraya. “Seraya is designed for the modern traveler, people seeking calm, comfort, and care while on the move. Our model gives us total control, from the materials we use to the experience we deliver. That’s how we’ve scaled profitably, and how we’ll build a global brand for premium serviced accommodation.”
Jakob Langen, Managing Director at DLL, added: “Seraya has built a distinctive, high-margin model in one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world. Their ability to control the full value chain gives them a powerful advantage as they scale. We believe this positions Seraya to lead a new generation of hospitality brands.”
Ibrahim Shami, Co-Founder of Seraya, commented: “Dubai has been the perfect proving ground. It’s one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world, and we’ve shown we can build a brand that stands out. With the systems, design, and operating model we’ve developed, we see strong potential for regional expansion in the near future.”
As Dubai’s short-term rental supply grows from 20,000 units in 2024 to over 30,000 in 2025, Seraya is positioning itself to lead the premium segment, offering a differentiated alternative to generic listings and traditional hotel chains.