In a significant development for the UAE’s financial sector, Comera Financial Holdings—a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s Royal Group—and SC Ventures have formalized a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on December 23, 2025. This collaboration represents a concerted effort to address the financing challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) while driving technological innovation across the Emirates’ evolving economic landscape.
The partnership will leverage Comera’s expanding fintech platforms alongside SC Ventures’ expertise in venture-building and credit intelligence to co-create data-driven financial solutions. Primary focus areas include developing innovative supply chain finance mechanisms, optimizing working capital management, and establishing sector-specific financing frameworks tailored for corporations with extensive SME networks.
Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Comera Financial Holdings, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative: ‘This collaboration marks an important milestone in our mission to build forward-looking financial infrastructure for the UAE. By combining forces with SC Ventures, we intend to introduce digitally-powered financing models that support growth ambitions across both SMEs and large corporations.’
Alex Manson, CEO of Standard Chartered Ventures, echoed this sentiment: ‘At SC Ventures, we focus on building businesses that solve genuine market problems. Our partnership with Comera enables us to co-create digital infrastructure that provides SMEs with essential tools, insights, and access needed to thrive in an innovation-driven economy.’
The organizations will explore additional strategic opportunities including potential investments, development of novel financial models, and enhanced coordination across selective business initiatives. This comprehensive approach aims to drive sustainable innovation, foster aligned growth trajectories, and deliver scalable financial solutions that strengthen business resilience and competitive positioning within the market.
Both entities have committed to ongoing evaluation of identified opportunities with the objective of establishing a long-term collaborative framework. Further developments will be announced as the partnership progresses, with additional information available through SC Ventures’ official digital channels.