Thndr powers up with $15.7M to transform retail investing in MENA, sets sights on Saudi Arabia

Thndr, a retail investment platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has closed $15.7 million in a funding round. This latest injection raises the total capital to $37.76 million. The round was led byProsus Ventures, its second investment in Thndr, underscoring their strong belief in the company’s potential to revolutionise investing across MENA.
Other participants in the round include some of the region’s most respected venture capital firms such as BECO Capital and JIMCO Capital, alongside globally renowned investors –Endeavor CatalystandY Combinator, The participation of a major US university endowment adds a further layer of credibility, signaling growing international interest in MENA’s fintech innovation landscape.
Thndr’s funding comes at a pivotal time for the region’s fintech sector. Ranked #8 on Forbes Middle East’s Fintech 50 2025 list, Thndr stands among the elite players driving MENA’s digital financial transformation. The region is projected to see fintech net revenues grow by 35% annually through 2028, far outpacing the global average. While MENA fintech funding dipped in 2024, Q1 2025 has already seen a resurgence, with $372 million invested-more than half of last year’s total-signaling renewed momentum that Thndr is poised to ride.
Thndr was founded in 2020 byAhmad HammoudaandSeif Amr, two entrepreneurs who recognised the need for a modern, accessible investment platform in Egypt and the wider MENA region. The startup quickly distinguished itself by securing Egypt’s first brokerage license since 2008, demonstrating its commitment to regulatory compliance and market integrity.
Both founders combined their expertise to build a seamless platform aimed at attracting retail investors, many of whom were previously excluded from traditional investment avenues. Their vision has been to empower everyday people with tools and education to build wealth sustainably.
Thndr plans to channel the newly raised funds primarily towards regional growth, with particular focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia, two of the most promising markets in the MENA region. The platform is intensifying efforts to deepen its operational footprint in the UAE while simultaneously preparing to enter the Saudi market. By replicating the success it achieved in Egypt, the company aims to establish locally relevant, trusted digital investment platforms that cater to the unique financial needs of different markets across MENA.
The Saudi market represents a massive opportunity. The Tadawul stock exchange boasts 6.49 million retail investors as of Q3 2024, with retail trades making up 67% of volumes. Yet, financial literacy in Saudi Arabia remains low at just 31%, and only 2% of individuals across MENA invest in financial markets. With the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 aiming to boost cashless payments and fintech adoption, Thndr’s educational and accessible approach is well positioned to make a major impact.
Investing remains an underpenetrated sector in many parts of MENA due to a lack of accessible platforms, regulatory complexities, and limited public knowledge. Since its inception, Thndr has been on a mission to democratise investing and enhance financial literacy throughout the MENA region. It breaks down these barriers by offering an easy-to-use, fully digital investment platform that brings investing within reach of millions, allowing users to take control of their financial futures through diverse asset classes, including local and US stocks, gold, mutual funds, and savings products.
Thndr stands out as one of the MENA region’s first fully digital investment platforms, currently serving over 4 million users. The platform provides straightforward access to a wide range of investment opportunities, from Egyptian and U.S. equities to gold and mutual funds, catering to both novice and experienced investors.
In 2024, Thndr solidified its position as Egypt’s leading retail brokerage on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX), facilitating $3.5 billion worth of trades and accounting for 11% of the retail market’s traded value. Notably, Thndr attracted 82% of all newly registered investors on the EGX in that period, adding nearly 190,000 new investors. The platform has also made strides in increasing female investor participation, which rose from 3% to 12%, and expanding reach beyond major cities to underserved populations.
With robust regulatory licenses in place, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) in Egypt and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the UAE, Thndr is well-positioned for ambitious growth. The company aims to lead the digital investment revolution in the MENA region by continuing to innovate and tailor its services to local markets.
Its expansion into the UAE and Saudi Arabia will further enable millions more to access investment products that were previously out of reach. With a strategic focus on financial literacy and inclusion, Thndr envisions transforming the investment landscape by empowering more people across MENA to actively participate in wealth creation.
Thndr’s recent funding marks a critical step in its journey to democratise investing throughout MENA. Backed by some of the world’s top venture capital firms and driven by visionary founders, the company is set to deepen its regional presence, starting with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Its comprehensive, user-friendly platform continues to break down barriers for millions of retail investors, pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion and shaping the future of digital investment in the Middle East and North Africa.
Sandeep Bakshi, Head of Investments, Europe at Prosus, said, “Hammouda and the Thndr team have demonstrated incredible execution over the past few years, and we are thrilled to be doubling down on our investment in the company. Thndr is transforming access to investing across MENA by empowering first-time investors with the tools and confidence to participate in the financial system—building a product that resonates deeply with a new generation and is becoming increasingly important. Their rapid growth, particularly among young and underserved populations, underscores both the strength of their leadership and the company’s broader mission. As early backers, we’re thrilled to support Thndr as they scale into Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
“Our mission is to provide access to local, regional, and international investment products through one wallet and one account—making investing as seamless and inclusive as possible,” said Ahmad Hammouda, CEO of Thndr. “With only 2% of individuals in MENA investing, we believe the time is now to build the region’s leading investment-first money app—a platform that helps people build wealth, make confident decisions, and live life on their own terms.”