Powerbank Sharing Startup Ray Raises $1.2M to Expand Charging Network
Ray’s Tap-to-Pay system allows users to rent powerbanks without an app or internet connection.
Ray, a Dubai-based powerbank-sharing startup, has raised $1.2 million in seed funding to expand its network of portable charging stations across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council.
The round included backing from private investors such as Meirambek Abelkasov and Serik Uspanov, co-founders of JET.
Founded by Igor Kosolap and Roman Averianov, Ray installs charging stations in restaurants, cafes, malls and other public venues, allowing users to rent a powerbank and return it to any station within the network.
Operations are currently live in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand to 2,000 locations across the UAE by the end of the year, alongside further rollout across GCC markets.
The service integrates Tap-to-Pay technology, enabling users to rent a powerbank within seconds by tapping a bank card or using Apple Pay or Google Pay directly at the station, without requiring an app or internet connection.
According to the company, the stations provide fast-charging powerbanks capable of charging a smartphone from 20% to 80% in around 30 minutes and can recharge devices up to two times.
Ray said it is currently the only powerbank-sharing service in the GCC offering Tap-to-Pay functionality, with systems connected through global payment and IoT networks operating across more than 170 countries.
The launch comes as demand for on-the-go charging solutions increases, with the global powerbank-sharing market valued at $2.8 billion in 2025 and projected to grow annually by 14.7%.
