UAE-Based Podcast Platform Podeo Raises $5.4 Million Series A Round

Dubai-based podcast distribution platform Podeo has secured $5.4 million in a Series A funding round led by Oraseya Capital, the venture capital arm of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). Other investors included Ibtikar Fund, Cedar Mundi Ventures, Semarium, iSME, and returning investor Razor Capital.

Founded in 2020 by Stefano Fallaha, Antony Essaye and Mario Hayek as a podcast app featuring exclusive content, Podeo quickly evolved into an all-in-one integrated platform that helps podcasters monetise and distribute their content, while enabling brands to optimise their ad spending. Podeo has rapidly expanded from its original base of 2,000 podcasters to the world’s largest Arabic podcast platform with a community of over 100,000 creators, and a total audience of 50 million listeners.

The additional funding will be used to support Podeo’s expansion into emerging markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, enhance its use of AI technologies, and continue offering industry-defining tools that improve the podcast value chain.

Podeo aspires to become a leading player in the global podcasting market which is currently valued at $25.62 billion and is projected to grow to $234 billion by 2030.