Breaking news

Huspy Secures $59 Million Series B To Revolutionize Digital Home Buying

Redefining UAE Mortgage Processes

In a market where traditional mortgage applications were synonymous with endless paperwork and pricing discrepancies, Huspy emerged as a clarion call for change. Founded by Jad Antoun, the startup streamlined home buying in the UAE by digitizing the mortgage process—a strategy that has since redefined standards in the region’s real estate sector.

Expanding Footprint Across Two Continents

Over the last five years, Huspy has ascended to become one of the largest proptech entities in the UAE, harnessing digital innovation to secure exclusive banking partnerships and facilitate pre-approved mortgage solutions. Building on this success, the company expanded into Spain—a market characterized by its fragmented real estate landscape—with a comprehensive network connecting over 100,000 agents and leveraging key partnerships with renowned platforms such as Property Finder and Idealista.

Innovative, Network-Based Business Model

Eschewing the traditional iBuyer model and standard brokerage operations, Huspy employs a lean, network-based strategy. By empowering freelance agents with cutting-edge CRM tools, transaction support, and integrated mortgage products, offloading the need for inventory ownership, the startup mimics the efficiency of on-demand platforms like Uber for real estate. This model has enabled Huspy to capture significant market share—in fact, it reached a 30% penetration in the UAE mortgage market within just three years.

Strategic Investment in Growth and Innovation

The recent Series B round, led by Balderton Capital and totaling $59 million, signifies robust investor confidence in Huspy’s ability to scale further. With a track record of over 25,000 home purchases facilitated and more than 10x revenue growth since 2022, Huspy is well poised to expand operations in Saudi Arabia and continue its European rollout. As digital disruption continues to reshape the proptech industry amid rising interest rates and competitive challenges in sectors like U.S. real estate, Huspy’s AI-driven tools for brokers and agents are setting a new benchmark for operational excellence.

The Road Ahead

Looking to the future, Huspy intends to advance its expansion into major cities across Europe and the Middle East within the next four years. By targeting mid-sized urban centers with high transaction volumes and limited agent efficiency, the company plans to reinforce its market dominance and further optimize its digital mortgage distribution. With a well-honed strategy and a scalable business model, Huspy appears uniquely positioned to sustain its momentum in an increasingly competitive proptech landscape.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

eCredo
Uol
Aretilaw firm
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter