Can Seraya Redefine Dubai’s Short-Term Rental Market?
Seraya, a Dubai-based short-term rental startup, has successfully raised US$1.8 million in a seed funding round. This brings their total capital, including equity and debt, to US$2.15 million. The funding was led by a Saudi family office and a German family office, DLL, along with contributions from strategic angel investors.
The company, which was founded in October 2024, specialises in offering fully serviced apartments for short-term stays. Seraya manages the entire process of getting a unit ready for guests, from renovations and furnishing to daily operations, all in-house. They also design and manufacture their own custom furniture locally.
Currently, Seraya operates a portfolio of apartments in prime Dubai locations like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina. The startup is growing quickly, adding a new apartment to its portfolio every week. With the new funding, Seraya aims to expand its portfolio to 50 units by the end of 2025, with new properties planned for Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, and various villa communities.
This expansion comes at a time when the UAE's travel and tourism market is seeing significant growth. According to Statista, the sector is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.7 percent from 2025 to 2030, potentially reaching a market volume of nearly US$2 billion.
Vacation rentals are a key part of this growth, with revenues projected to hit US$358 million in 2025. The market's user base is also expected to grow, with an estimated 2.74 million users by 2030, indicating a rising demand for alternative accommodation options in Dubai.
