Abu Dhabi, UAE – Stride Ventures, a leading global venture debt firm based in India, has announced a significant milestone in its international strategy with its first venture debt investment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The firm is committing USD 1 million to Maalexi, a dynamic risk management platform, as part of a broader investment strategy in the region. This move underscores Stride Ventures’ commitment to fostering innovation in emerging economies by supporting companies that leverage technology to enhance traditional industries.
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Azam Pasha and Rohit Majhi, Maalexi aims to revolutionize the $3 trillion global cross-border food and agri-produce trading market. The company offers small food and agri-businesses access to cross-border trade through critical risk management tools such as digital contracts, AI-enabled inspections, and blockchain-authenticated documentation. These tools enable SME agri-buyers to procure food supplies more efficiently, affordably, and securely from globally located SME agri-producers and exporters.
Apoorva Sharma, Managing Partner at Stride Ventures, expressed confidence in Maalexi’s potential, stating, “Maalexi’s deployment of cutting-edge technologies places it at the forefront of enhancing regional food security and connecting rural markets with the global economy. This investment embodies our commitment to global expansion by supporting companies that use technology to improve traditional industries. Our strategy is designed to foster innovation and cultivate synergies across borders.”
Dr. Azam Pasha, co-founder and CEO of Maalexi, highlighted the impact of the investment, saying, “This debt capital raise from Stride Ventures will significantly enhance our ability to acquire new users and scale our operations, further solidifying our position as a leading digital risk management platform for SMEs engaged in cross-border trade. The funds will be used to deploy advanced technology solutions that streamline the movement of goods through our local and international warehouses and carriers, effectively mitigating key risks in international trade. Additionally, this capital infusion will serve as a strategic lever to secure additional debt capital, enabling us to expand our operations and bolster food security across the UAE and the broader GCC region.”
This strategic investment also strengthens Stride Ventures’ commitment to Hub71, Mubadala’s tech ecosystem, and emphasizes the firm’s role as a global investor focused on supporting high-growth companies in emerging markets.
About Stride Ventures:
Stride Ventures is a venture debt fund that supports innovative startups and businesses in their growth journey. As a sector-agnostic firm, it invests in high-growth startups across diverse industries, including Consumer Internet, FinTech, SaaS, and B2B platforms. Stride Ventures has a portfolio of over 140 startups and is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
