estaie Raises Pre-Seed Funding for Extended Stay Platform

Dubai-based proptech innovator, estaie, has successfully closed a substantial seven-figure pre-seed funding round. The investment was spearheaded by venture capital firms PlusVC and Orbit Ventures, with crucial participation from Falak Angels and Value Makers Studio. This infusion of capital marks a significant milestone for the company, which is pioneering an AI-native marketplace specifically designed for extended stays.

Founded in early 2025 by seasoned entrepreneur Osama Shawky, estaie aims to revolutionize the underserved segment of the hospitality market that caters to bookings ranging from 30 to 365 nights. The platform addresses the inherent inefficiencies and fragmentation plaguing traditional extended-stay bookings, which often suffer from inconsistent pricing, manual processes, and a lack of transparency. By leveraging artificial intelligence, estaie seeks to streamline discovery, booking, and management for both guests and property operators.

The newly acquired funds are earmarked for aggressive regional expansion, with a strategic focus on penetrating the Saudi Arabian market. This expansion will be complemented by ongoing enhancements to estaie's core product and a scaling of its operational capabilities. The company's leadership team boasts a wealth of experience, including CTO and Co-founder Nimit Solanki, an AI and product specialist with prior roles at Careem and Grab, and COO and Co-founder Mark Reed, a veteran of the travel and hospitality industry.

The extended-stay sector, a critical yet often overlooked niche bridging traditional hotels and long-term residential leases, represents a substantial market opportunity. Globally, the extended-stay hotel market is projected to grow significantly, driven by remote work trends and increased demand for flexible accommodation solutions. estaie's AI-driven approach is designed to capture this growth by offering unparalleled efficiency and a superior user experience, a stark contrast to the current fragmented operator landscape.

Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner at PlusVC, highlighted the strategic alignment of estaie's mission with their investment thesis, stating, "estaie is building the category-defining platform for long-term stays, addressing a fast-growing yet underserved segment of the hospitality market." Similarly, William Bao Bean, Managing General Partner at Orbit Ventures, noted the platform's potential to lower barriers for global talent seeking to live and work in regions like MENA, while simultaneously unlocking new revenue streams for hospitality partners through digitization.

Value Makers Studio, through its CEO Moataz Abuonq, emphasized their commitment to founders creating new market categories. Their direct investment underscores a belief in estaie's potential to transform the hospitality and real estate sectors, particularly within the context of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. VMS will also provide strategic support for market entry and partnerships within the Kingdom.

Since its launch in April 2025, estaie has already showcased impressive early traction. The platform has secured agreements with over 400 hotels and 1,000 holiday homes, demonstrating robust supply acquisition. On the demand side, estaie.com has facilitated over 3,000 room nights booked, exhibiting a consistent month-over-month growth rate of 17-18%, positioning it as a rapidly ascending player in the regional hospitality technology scene.