Seraya Raises $1.8M Seed Round to Redefine Premium Serviced Living in Dubai

By Nazish Shah • Wed Sep 03 2025

UAE-based proptech and hospitality startup Seraya has raised $1.8 million in seed funding through a mix of equity and debt, led by a prominent KSA family office and German family office DLL. This brings the company’s total capital raised to $2.15 million.

Founded in 2024 by Pepijn Haima and Ibrahim Shami, Seraya is building a new standard for premium serviced apartments in Dubai. The company has been profitable from day one, operating with over 92% average occupancy and a perfect 5.0 guest rating. Its model combines the consistency of a hotel with the warmth of a home, targeting the growing demand for design-led, wellness-focused accommodation.

The new funding will accelerate Seraya’s expansion, with a target of reaching 50 units by the end of 2025. Upcoming launches include prime addresses across Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, and select villa communities. Wellness remains a core part of Seraya’s DNA, with thoughtful features like in-apartment saunas and water filtration systems designed to enhance restorative travel experiences.

“We’re building something intentional,” said Pepijn Haima, Co-Founder of Seraya. “Seraya is designed for the modern traveller, 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.”

Commenting on the investment, Jakob Langen, Managing Director at DLL, said: “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, from sourcing and design to operations, gives them a powerful advantage as they scale. We believe this approach positions Seraya to lead a new generation of hospitality brands.”

Co-Founder Ibrahim Shami added: “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 market grows from 20,000 units in 2024 to over 30,000 in 2025, Seraya is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, offering a differentiated alternative to generic listings and traditional hotel chains.