Baraka
“Can a DFSA-regulated, commission-free investing app become the default wealth-building platform for the next generation of Middle East retail investors?”
Founded2020
HQDubai, UAE (DIFC)
FoundersFeras Jalbout
Total raised$26.2M
Latest roundSecondary - Private
IndustryFintech / Investment
The story
Founded in 2020 by Feras Jalbout, a former Barclays and Standard Chartered banker, Baraka launched as a commission-free US stock and ETF investing platform aimed at the underserved retail investor segment in the Middle East. Regulated by the DFSA as a DIFC-registered entity, it built its product around accessibility and financial education. After raising $20M Series A from Valar Ventures in 2022, the company pivoted toward GCC and Egypt market expansion and began exploring local stock exchange access for regional investors.
Last 12 months
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Product timeline
2020
Founded by Feras Jalbout in Dubai as a commission-free investment platform targeting Middle East retail investors.· pivot
2021
Launched app offering access to 6,000+ US stocks and ETFs; accepted into Y Combinator S21 batch.· banking
2022
Closed $20M Series A led by Valar Ventures (Peter Thiel); planned expansion across GCC states and Egypt.· acquisition
Regulated entities
1
regulatory licence held by Baraka
Licence types, jurisdictions and registered entities are in the Embedded Finance Index report.
The stack
0 layers disclosed in Baraka’s embedded-finance stack
Accounting gap: none