About Funding Souq

Funding Souq is an alternative financing platform that connects established SMEs looking to borrow with retail and institutional debt investors worldwide.

Led by a powerful purpose to enable regional SMEs to grow and prosper, our goal is to become the #1 SME enabler in the region. Funding Souq was established in late 2020 and expanded to Saudi Arabia in 2021.

Our Mission & Vision

Mission

Our mission is to finance SMEs, create jobs, and drive the economy forward.

Vision

Our vision is to provide SMEs with reliable funding solutions by leveraging the power of technology and financial markets.

Our Board & Advisors

Mariam Abdulsalam

Mariam joined the Kuwait Central Bank in 2012 and is currently a Deputy Manager of the Financial Stability Office. She holds a MSc in Finance from London Business School.

Suresh Lalwani

Suresh is the MD & Head of Coverage of Commercial Banking in First Abu Dhabi Bank. Previously, he was the Head of SME in RAK BANK, UAE's largest SME lender. Suresh holds an MBA from the SP Jain School of Management.

Martin Jaouni

Martin launched Funding Souq in 2020 after having spent some time in PwC as a Senior Associate on the Deals teams. Prior to that, he used to work in Real Estate Private Equity in London. Martin holds an MSc in Finance from CASS Business School in London.

Musaab Hakami

Musaab is a General Partner in VentureSouq. Previously, he was the CFO of Sary where he raised $120m of venture capital. Musaab is also a renowned angel investor and a Computer Engineering graduate from King Saud University.

Our Shariah Supervisory Board

Usama Ehsan

Usama is a member of the Sharia Board of Bank Alfalah in Pakistan and a Partner in Safwa Advisory, a boutique Sharia-compliant consultancy. Usama holds a MA in Islamic Studies from the University of Punjab.

Muhammad Abdul Hadi

Muhammed is an Associate in Safwa Shariah Advisory. He previously worked at Faysal Bank as a Sharia Auditor. Muhammed holds MA in Islamic Studies and Arabic, and a higher education degree in the field of Accounting and Finance.

Ubaid Zubairi

Ubaid works at Alhamd Shariah Advisory Services as a Director of Operations. He has over 10 years of experience and holds a Master’s degree in Islamic and Arabic Studies from Karachi University.

Our Leaders

Martin Jaouni

Founder & CEO

Nick Kvizhinadze

Tech Lead

Nick is leading our software development unit. Previously, he worked at TBC Bank and prior to that in VTB where he was responsible for the VideoBank project. Nick is an IT Graduate from the Georgian University.

Sumbul Qureshi

Compliance Lead

Sumbul joined us with more than 11 years of compliance experience. She worked in Etive Consulting, Mashreq Bank, Abraaj Capital and the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Sumbul holds an LLB from the University of Punjab.

Reham Hadidi

Credit Risk Manager

Reham joined us with over 12 years of experience in the Islamic banking sector. Her most recent position was as a Senior Credit Officer specializing in corporate clients at Arab Islamic International Bank in Jordan. Reham holds an MSc in Accounting from Jordan University.

Shariah Compliance

Funding Souq offers Shariah-compliant investment and financing solutions. We are dedicated to following Islamic principles and have a Sharia Supervisory Board ensuring compliance of each transaction.

Certified by Dar Al Sharia

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