Arabian Automobiles Company (AAC) has launched Urventures, a groundbreaking mobility solutions platform aimed at supporting and funding startup SMEs in the UAE.
This initiative marks the first of its kind in the regional automotive sector, positioning Arabian Automobiles as an investor in small businesses by providing commercial vehicles in exchange for a minimal stake in the startup’s future equity.
In the first phase of Urventures, Arabian Automobiles has invested in two pioneering women-led UAE startups, ProMed First Aid and Bambuyu, by equipping them with the widely used Nissan Urvan commercial microbus. This move directly addresses one of the most significant challenges faced by startups in their early stages—logistical support. Businesses were selected based on their growth potential, societal impact, and essential need for a van as part of their operations.
According to Statista data released in October 2024, the UAE leads the GCC nations as a startup incubator, with over 5,600 registered businesses by Q2 2024. In addition, the Dubai government has introduced Ignyte, a digital platform designed to accelerate the development of over 100,000 startups and entrepreneurs. With Urventures, Arabian Automobiles reinforces its commitment to supporting the UAE’s startup ecosystem and addressing the mobility needs of SME entrepreneurs nationwide.
ProMed First Aid, established in 2024, specializes in emergency medical services training across the GCC. Through Urventures, it will leverage the Nissan Urvan to expand mobile medical training and transport essential equipment. Meanwhile, Bambuyu, a sustainable tissue company founded in 2021, will use its vehicle to enhance delivery operations and promote its eco-friendly products.
Hussam Baghdadi, Senior Director of Arabian Automobiles Company, stated: “This is an exciting time for us as Nissan and Arabian Automobiles redefine the way businesses acquire fleet solutions. While we have always supported the business ecosystem with our mobility solutions, Urventures takes this commitment further by pioneering an innovative startup investment model. Through this program, we go beyond selling vehicles to become partners in growth, offering guidance that unlocks new opportunities for entrepreneurs. Our initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for entrepreneurship and reinforces our dedication to helping emerging businesses reach their full potential.”
Auredel Sumalinog Magpantay, Founder, COO, and Academic Director of ProMed First Aid Training, highlighted the program’s impact: “This initiative has been instrumental in our rapid expansion. Access to vehicles has allowed us to extend our service reach and attract new customers, while the mentorship has been invaluable in overcoming the challenges of scaling a startup.”
Sahar Karoubi, Founder and spokesperson of Bambuyu, echoed this sentiment: “This program has been a game-changer for us. Gaining access to a fleet allowed us to rapidly scale our delivery services and achieve profitability sooner than expected.”
The second season of Urventures is set to launch in Q2 2025, with Arabian Automobiles inviting startups to apply at http://urventures.capital.
