VUZ, an immersive media company, announced it has secured the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to invest in its $12 million Pre-Series C funding round. This funding round also includes participation from Al Jazira Capital, Crosswork VC Success fund (a pre-IPO venture capital fund), multiple existing investors, and several high-profile Saudi family offices, supporting VUZ’s presence in key markets across the world.
This strategic deal positions VUZ for accelerated global growth in immersive live streaming and content, AI-driven streaming technologies, and live spatial experiences, building on the next generation of media, the creator economy, sports, and entertainment.
The IFC and the World Bank Group manage over $1 trillion in global assets and investment commitments, operating in over 100 countries. And in fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record of over $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions to drive sustainable development through the private sector.
The funding marks a pivotal collaboration between VUZ and IFC, which is known for its selective backing of global winners, including Souq.com (acquired by Amazon). With 100+ investments in telecom and communications companies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, IFC brings unmatched expertise in market entry and infrastructure scaling across frontier economies.
With this partnership, VUZ will scale further in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and accelerate expansion, particularly in Africa, the USA, and Asia, where demand for immersive experiences and next-generation media is rising rapidly. This move aligns with IFC’s mission to advance digital inclusion and economic growth through media innovation and connectivity.
Last year, VUZ achieved EBITDA profitability, with 80% year-over-year gross profit growth, a significant milestone for a tech streaming scale-up. The company’s platform — which is home to 30,000+ hours of premium immersive exclusive content — blends XR, VR, AR, and AI-powered media across sports, entertainment, and creator ecosystems. VUZ has a pipeline of partnerships with some of the largest football clubs, giga projects, and global athletes, as well as A-list artists, creators, and ambassadors.
These are some of the key highlights:
— 3 billion+ screen views to date; targeting over 5 billion by 2026
— Exclusive immersive content partnerships with LaLiga, Serie A, PFL, and more
— The largest exclusively owned immersive premium content library of over 30,000 hours
— Over 40 global telecom integrations, with 20+ in progress
— Strategic launches across TV Devices, Apple Vision Pro, Oculus, and VUZGo, a new web-embedded immersive tech layer
— 4 global patents powering proprietary streaming technologies
VUZ enables a creator network with a combined global reach exceeding 100 million, providing monetization tools, immersive production capabilities, and a deeply engaging fan experience. And its technology now sits at the center of conversations with device manufacturers, sports federations, and media conglomerates seeking to deliver content that transcends physical limitations.
Along with the the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and other recent strategic investors, VUZ is backed by a distinguished and globally diverse group of institutional partners. These include e& capital, KBW Ventures, Al Jazira Capital, DFDF, SRMG Ventures, Caruso Ventures, Shorooq Partners, Plug and Play Ventures, Hala Ventures, Vision Fund, Knollwood Investment Advisory, Panthera Capital, Faith Capital, WIN, Elbert Capital, Yasta Partners, AlTouq Group, Impact46, Media Visions, 500 Startups, DAI, Al Falaj, and DTEC Ventures (Oraseya Capital), along with notable tech leaders including Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, and Jonathan Labin — reflecting strong international conviction in VUZ’s vision, performance, and global growth potential.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are honored to welcome IFC as a strategic investor. With IFC and the World Bank Group’s track record in scaling telecom and digital media companies globally, and over $1 trillion in assets under management, this partnership sets the stage for massive global scale. Together, we’ll bring immersive media to the world’s fastest-growing markets.”
“This is the scale-up stage we’ve been building toward for years. With a solid foundation, patented tech, and profitability achieved, we are ready to scale globally and define the future of media.”
Khaled Zaatarah, Founder of VUZ
“This investment reflects IFC’s commitment to creative industries as a driver of jobs and income in emerging markets. VUZ’s tech edge and global reach align well with our mandate to support scalable platforms that empower creators”
Farid Fezoua, IFC Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds
