Egyptian-born real estate technology startup Byit has announced its expansion into the UAE, backed by a $1.1 million funding round. The move signals a broader push into Gulf property markets by a platform built around freelance real estate brokers.
From Cairo to the Gulf
Founded in 2022 by Antoine Azer, Byit operates an agent-first brokerage model that offers freelance brokers up to 90% of developers’ commissions. The startup launched in Egypt before setting its sights on the broader Gulf, where demand for digital brokerage infrastructure has been rising alongside surging real estate activity in markets like Dubai and Riyadh.
As part of its regional expansion strategy, Byit has established Byit Ventures in the UAE, positioning it to connect Egyptian real estate supply with international demand, particularly from GCC-based investors.
The Raise and Who Backed It
The $1.1 million round came from A15, Beltone Holding, and a group of angel investors. Both A15 and Beltone are established institutional players in the Egyptian and regional venture ecosystem, and their participation signals a degree of confidence in Byit’s model that goes beyond early-stage momentum.
Antoine Azer, Founder and CEO of Byit Capital, said the investment confirms that the market is ready for a fundamentally different kind of brokerage model; one built on transparency, accountability, and real value for both agents and developers.
Agent-First in a Fragmented Market
The platform’s core proposition is straightforward: traditional brokerage structures in the Middle East are commission-heavy and fragmented, leaving freelance agents with a relatively small share of transaction value. Byit positions itself as the alternative.
The platform currently reports a network of more than 40,000 freelance brokers, over 450 developer partners, and more than 1,000 mapped projects. Beyond commission splits, brokers on the platform gain access to verified developer inventory and data-driven tools designed to speed up deal sourcing and closing.
Alongside the UAE entry, Byit launched a new suite of AI-powered solutions designed to empower brokers and enable more efficient cross-border property transactions.
What Comes Next
The UAE is a staging ground, not a final destination. The new capital will support Byit’s expansion strategy, including strengthening its UAE operations, fast-tracking entry into Saudi Arabia, and growing its developer ecosystem across the Middle East.
Byit’s Chief Revenue Officer, Nader Jimmy, framed the expansion in terms of infrastructure rather than geography. He said the company is focused on building the tools brokers need to compete (from lead generation and data insights to closing deals more efficiently) with ambitions to become the go-to platform for real estate brokers across the region.
The Gulf real estate market provides a compelling backdrop. UAE property transactions have remained elevated through 2025, and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030-linked development pipeline continues to generate significant demand for property distribution channels, which is precisely the gap Byit is trying to fill.
Whether the startup’s agent-first model can hold up at scale across multiple regulatory environments remains the central question. But with institutional backing, an active broker network, and a freshly planted flag in the UAE, Byit has the foundation to test that thesis in real time.
