VUZ Secures $12M to Expand Immersive Video Platform

VUZ Secures $12M to Expand Immersive Video Platform

VUZ, a startup specializing in immersive 360° video experiences, has raised $12 million in pre-Series C funding. The investment, led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will fuel VUZ's expansion in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Africa, Asia, and the United States.

The funding round also included participation from Al Jazira Capital, CrossWork VC’s Success Fund, existing investors, and prominent Saudi family offices. The IFC's involvement marks a significant move for the organization, known for investments in financial infrastructure, into the consumer tech and immersive internet space.

Focus on Emerging Markets and Global Scale

VUZ founder and CEO Khaled Zaatarah highlighted the IFC's focus on emerging markets and VUZ's shared vision of global expansion. The company's work with content creators and its growth potential were key factors in attracting the investment.

VUZ faces competition from established platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram. However, VUZ differentiates itself by offering immersive 360-degree content across various platforms including mobile apps, the web, VR headsets like Apple Vision Pro and Oculus, and smart TVs.

The platform offers immersive experiences from events like the Grammys, La Liga matches, and fashion shows. VUZ has secured exclusive immersive streaming deals with La Liga and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and collaborates with over 100 content creators, reaching a combined audience of over 100 million.

Growth in Emerging Markets

VUZ's expansion comes as streaming growth plateaus in mature markets. However, emerging markets like Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Kenya show accelerating user growth, particularly among younger, mobile-savvy audiences.

VUZ has seen significant growth, reaching over 15 million users globally and nearly 3 billion screen views, up from 10 million users and 1 billion views in 2022.

Monetization and Local Partnerships

VUZ is shifting to paid marketing in the U.S. to attract and retain users. In Africa and Asia, the company is focusing on local partnerships, especially with telecom operators, to broaden its reach. It currently has over 40 such partnerships globally.

VUZ's monetization strategy now includes a mix of 60% free and 40% premium content, accessible through subscriptions or bundled telecom offers. The company has doubled its revenue and achieved an 80% increase in gross profit over the past two years, reaching EBITDA profitability in 2024.

Empowering Content Creators

VUZ utilizes an Uber-like model, training and equipping freelance reporters and creators to capture and upload immersive content. The "VUZ Studio" provides editing support, saving creators time. Live commerce features allow influencers to sell products directly during live streams.

VUZ aims to demonstrate the value of immersive content and its monetization potential to creators. The company's focus on hyper-local content and global scalability positions it to cater to underserved markets.

“YouTube and Netflix are great, but they’re not building for creators in Nairobi or Riyadh,” said Zaatarah. “We’re building a product, network, and monetization model that’s hyper-local—with the infrastructure to scale globally.”

VUZ has offices in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and the U.S., and is expanding its teams in India and Indonesia. The company is also planning to launch in South Africa later this year.