Dubizzle Group has announced a strategic investment in Tern, a UAE-based rental rewards platform, integrating it exclusively into its Bayut and dubizzle property portals as part of a broader push to build out a full property ecosystem beyond search and discovery.
The investment was made through Dubizzle Group Ventures, the company’s early-stage venture capital arm focused on GCC technology startups.
Through the partnership, tenants on Bayut and dubizzle will be able to pay rent using a credit card and earn Tern Rewards points redeemable across a network of retail, travel and lifestyle partners, with no additional fees or premiums for using a card.
For most households, rent is the single largest recurring expense, and Tern’s model is designed to add value to a payment that has historically offered none.
For landlords, property managers and agents, Tern provides a fully digital rent collection process. The platform’s flexibility is also positioned as a retention tool, giving tenants a more rewarding payment experience that could increase the appeal of rental properties.
Founded in 2024 by Said Al Sayyed and Mohamad Shaitou and launched in May 2025, Tern says it currently processes more than AED 150 million in annualised rent payment volume.
“Rent is one of the largest recurring expenses for most households, yet the payment experience has traditionally offered very little flexibility or added value,” said Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Dubizzle Group UAE. “In Tern, we found the most compelling solution to address this industry challenge, led by an exceptional founding team with a clear vision. It is another step towards building a more connected, user-focused property ecosystem.”
Surya Raviganesh, who leads Dubizzle Group’s investments, said the firm is looking for founders building scalable business models that create value around its property, automotive and consumer marketplaces. “Half the population of the UAE uses one of our platforms every month, and there are material synergies by partnering with businesses that can benefit from our highly engaged audience.”
Dubizzle Group’s platforms attract around 58 million monthly visits and 20 million monthly users across the region, giving Tern immediate access to one of the most engaged property audiences in the UAE.
The integration also signals a direction of travel for the group. Rather than remaining a search and discovery platform, it is steadily building a suite of services around payments, financing, management tools, all of which sit around the core transaction of renting or buying a home.
For Tern, the exclusive integration into Bayut and dubizzle is a significant distribution advantage at an early stage of growth.
By
Sam Reid
