Debt collection in the MENA region has long been a fragmented, outdated process—reliant on manual methods, aggressive recovery tactics, and inefficient systems that lead to poor outcomes for both lenders and borrowers. This inefficiency costs financial institutions billions while making debt resolution a stressful and often punitive process for consumers.
As the region’s $500 billion consumer lending market continues to grow and consumer protection regulations tighten, traditional debt recovery approaches are no longer sustainable. ClearGrid, a new AI-driven debt collection platform, has emerged from stealth with $10 million in funding to modernize the industry and establish a data-driven, borrower-friendly solution that benefits lenders while improving borrower engagement.
Funding and Backing
ClearGrid’s funding was raised in two rounds:
- Pre-seed round: Co-led by Raed Ventures and Beco Capital
- Seed round: Co-led by Nuwa Capital and Raed Ventures
Other notable investors include:
- Aramco’s Waed Ventures
- KBW Ventures
- Sharaka
- 9yards Capital
- Protagonist
- BYLD
- Eirad Holdings
- Endeavor Catalyst
- Wamda Capital
The company has also attracted high-profile angel investors, including Anu Hariharan (Avra), Jason Gardner (Marqeta), Bjorn Wagner (Parity Technologies), Amjad Masad (Replit), Justin Kan (Twitch), and key MENA entrepreneurs.
Rethinking Debt Collection: AI, Data, and Compassionate Solutions
Founded by Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud, Mohammad Al Zaben, and Mohammad Al Khalili, ClearGrid operates on the belief that debt collection is fundamentally an information and coordination challenge—one that can be solved with AI, automation, and borrower-centric approaches instead of outdated, aggressive recovery methods.
"Collections should be an extension of good lending—not an afterthought," says ClearGrid CEO Mohammad Al Zaben. "We’re reimagining debt resolution from the ground up, giving lenders the intelligence and tools they need to recover capital effectively while creating better outcomes for borrowers."
How ClearGrid Works
ClearGrid provides a full-stack AI-powered collections platform that automates every step of the debt recovery process, helping lenders recover capital efficiently while enhancing the borrower experience.
The platform integrates:
- AI-driven borrower engagement to personalize interactions and encourage repayments
- Self-service tools for borrowers to negotiate repayment plans independently
- Omnichannel outreach (SMS, email, chat, and app-based notifications) for seamless communication
- AI-powered debt resolution automation, cutting resolution times and improving collection rates
Since its soft launch in 2024, ClearGrid has managed hundreds of millions in debt portfolios and secured partnerships with major fintech firms and leading banks across MENA. The company has signed over 10 major enterprise clients and built a strong pipeline for 2025, which includes expanding in the UAE and entering the Saudi Arabian market.
ClearGrid has already achieved profitability in the UAE within a year, although its primary focus remains on scalability rather than short-term profitability.
Proven Impact: Faster Resolutions, Higher Engagement
ClearGrid’s impact has been transformative for lenders:
- A leading UAE bank doubled borrower engagement, leading to a 30 percent improvement in debt recovery rates.
- A major buy now, pay later provider fully automated early-stage debt resolution—with 95 percent of cases handled without human intervention—doubling collection performance while achieving an outstanding 4.8 out of 5 customer satisfaction score.
For borrowers, ClearGrid offers a less punitive, more collaborative approach. Many who previously ignored collection calls are now engaging with the platform, responding to personalized repayment options like:
- Principal waivers
- Flexible repayment plans
- Automated negotiation tools
This improved lender-borrower dynamic fosters economic confidence, reduces financial stress, and strengthens credit markets.
Future Vision: Beyond Debt Collection
"Financial systems must evolve with the digital world," says Co-Founder & Chairman of ClearGrid KSA, Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud. "Debt resolution should be a bridge to stability, not a roadblock. At ClearGrid, we’re redefining collections with a data-driven, technology-first approach that strengthens trust, ensuring credit fuels growth—not distress."
ClearGrid’s ambitions go beyond debt collection. The company aims to:
- Build AI-powered early risk detection systems to help lenders manage delinquencies before they occur
- Develop advanced credit orchestration tools to refine lending strategies
- Introduce AI-driven debt counseling for personalized financial rehabilitation
- Create alternative risk assessment models to unlock new lending opportunities
- Expand into AI-powered debt consolidation solutions
This roadmap positions ClearGrid as a key player in shaping the future of financial infrastructure across MENA and beyond.
Why ClearGrid Stands Out
While legacy collection agencies still rely on manual processes, inefficient call centers, and negative borrower experiences, ClearGrid’s AI-driven approach is:
- Faster – Automates collections, reducing resolution time
- Smarter – Uses AI-powered insights for better borrower engagement
- More efficient – Reduces human intervention while improving results
- More borrower-friendly – Encourages voluntary compliance with repayment plans
This approach is reshaping the industry and setting a new benchmark for debt recovery efficiency in the digital age.
Investor Confidence in ClearGrid’s Approach
Raed Ventures
"ClearGrid is tackling a critical pain point in the MENA debt collection industry with a truly innovative approach," says Omar Majdouie, Founding Partner at Raed Ventures. "Their AI-powered platform not only drives operational efficiencies but also fosters a sustainable lender-borrower relationship, which is key for financial inclusion."
Nuwa Capital
"We invest in founders who see inefficiencies as opportunities for reinvention," says Khaled Talhouni, Founding Partner at Nuwa Capital. "By leveraging AI, ClearGrid is not just improving collections but fundamentally reshaping how lenders engage with borrowers, setting a new industry standard."
Conclusion: A New Era for Debt Collection in MENA
As digital lending accelerates across the MENA region, the demand for tech-driven collections solutions grows. ClearGrid is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, replacing outdated, aggressive recovery methods with AI-powered, borrower-centric solutions that ensure:
- Faster recoveries for lenders
- Better experiences for borrowers
- More stable and transparent financial ecosystems
With $10 million in funding, early profitability, and strong regional expansion plans, ClearGrid is not just modernizing debt collection—it is redefining how financial institutions manage risk and maintain credit health in an evolving digital economy.
What’s Next?
ClearGrid’s focus now shifts to:
- Scaling operations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Expanding product offerings with AI-powered risk and credit tools
- Building deeper integrations with regional banks and fintechs
The future of debt collection in MENA is digital, data-driven, and borrower-friendly, and ClearGrid is at the forefront of this transformation.
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