VUZ, the immersive media platform formerly known as 360VUZ, has raised $12 million in new funding as it expands its footprint across key growth regions, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Africa, Asia, and the United States. The pre-Series C round was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)—a rare move for the World Bank Group member, which typically focuses on infrastructure rather than consumer tech. Other participants include Al Jazira Capital, CrossWork VC’s Success Fund, several returning investors, and prominent Saudi family offices.
The investment signals a growing interest in platforms that straddle both entertainment and emerging digital formats. VUZ offers immersive, 360-degree video experiences, placing viewers directly inside high-profile events like music awards, sports matches, and fashion shows. Accessible via mobile apps, browsers, smart TVs, and VR headsets such as Apple Vision Pro and Oculus, the platform positions itself as an alternative to traditional video players, prioritizing interactivity and immersion.
Unlike YouTube or TikTok, VUZ isn’t chasing viral short clips—it’s focused on deeper, on-the-ground engagement. The platform has signed exclusive streaming deals with leagues like La Liga and the Professional Fighters League, while actively collaborating with more than 100 content creators whose combined audiences top 100 million.
The funding arrives at a pivotal time for video platforms. While user growth has slowed in saturated markets like the U.S., demand continues to climb in emerging regions such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Indonesia. VUZ is leaning into this trend, not just with content but with infrastructure. It’s building out teams across Africa and Asia, and partnering with over 40 telecom operators worldwide to boost reach and distribution.
To support monetization, VUZ is evolving its business model. Where it once offered the majority of its content for free, it now gates about 40% of content behind a premium paywall, available through subscriptions or telecom bundles. According to the company, this shift—alongside a lean content production strategy—has paid off: VUZ reports doubling its revenue over the last two years and reaching EBITDA profitability in 2024. Gross profit grew 80% year-over-year.
Much of this efficiency stems from its “Uber-style” content production. Instead of relying on full-scale crews, VUZ equips freelancers and creators with cameras and training, deducting equipment costs from future earnings. A dedicated in-house studio team assists with rapid post-production, which helps content reach platforms quickly while easing the workload for creators.
Additionally, VUZ has introduced live commerce tools, enabling creators to monetize more directly—especially in beauty and fashion segments. These features are particularly attractive to influencers in regions where the creator economy is still developing and traditional monetization routes are limited.
Despite strong traction in the Middle East and Africa, VUZ faces steep competition in the U.S. and other developed markets, where incumbent platforms dominate both user attention and creator loyalty. However, CEO Khaled Zaatarah sees an opening by focusing on underserved creators and hyper-local content. “YouTube and Netflix are great, but they’re not building for creators in Nairobi or Riyadh,” he said. “We’re building a product, network, and monetization model that’s hyper-local—with the infrastructure to scale globally.”
The company, which had previously raised $20 million in its Series B round, now operates offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and the U.S., and is expanding into India, Indonesia, and South Africa. With over 15 million users and nearly 3 billion screen views to date, VUZ is positioning itself not just as a video platform—but as a new kind of digital media ecosystem tailored for immersive experiences and regional relevance.
