Startup Darrbak , a rising Omani startup known for its innovative approach to travel and tourism, has secured a major pre-seed funding round from the Sultanate’s Future Fund. The move highlights Oman’s growing focus on supporting local startups and strengthening the digital economy, especially in the travel technology space.
Although the amount of funding was not publicly disclosed, the investment marks a crucial milestone for Darrbak, which aims to expand its digital travel services for businesses and government organizations.
From Leisure Travel to Corporate Innovation
Darrbak was founded by Omani entrepreneur Jassim Al Alawi in early 2025. It began as a travel and tourism brand focused on creating customized adventure experiences for leisure travelers. The platform initially offered a variety of tour options, from mountain and desert excursions to sea-based adventures. With a user-friendly interface, it allowed customers to plan and book their trips online up to six months in advance, offering flexible payment and scheduling options.
As the startup gained traction in the local tourism space, the Darrbak team identified a larger market opportunity: corporate and government travel. This sector, while essential, lacked integrated, modern solutions in Oman and the wider region. Darrbak decided to pivot and expand its offerings, developing a new travel management platform designed specifically for the needs of business and government clients.
Today, Darrbak’s digital platform provides an all-in-one solution for travel planning. Services include hotel bookings, flight arrangements, travel scheduling, secure online payment systems, and a custom dashboard for corporate clients. The platform’s goal is to make corporate travel as smooth and efficient as possible, reducing paperwork and increasing transparency for organizations.
Backing from Future Fund: A Strategic Move
Darrbak’s growth and potential caught the attention of Future Fund Oman, a government initiative created to support high-impact investments in the Sultanate. The fund is managed by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and was officially launched in 2024 with a total capital of OMR 2 billion (approximately USD 5.2 billion).
Its aim is to diversify Oman’s economy, reduce dependence on oil, and stimulate growth in key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, tourism, logistics, and renewable energy. The fund allocates 90% of its resources to large-scale projects, while the remaining 10% is focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups like Darrbak.
The pre-seed funding for Darrbak falls under the fund’s strategy to encourage innovation and job creation in the private sector. By supporting local tech-driven companies, the Future Fund aims to foster a more resilient and knowledge-based economy.
Driving Digital Transformation in Oman’s Travel Sector
With the new investment, Darrbak plans to expand its technological infrastructure, hire additional staff, and increase its marketing efforts to attract more corporate clients. The company will also invest in research and development to continue improving its platform’s features and user experience.
According to CEO Jassim Al Alawi, the support from the Future Fund is more than just financial. “This partnership gives us the confidence and resources we need to scale up quickly and serve our clients better,” he said. “We are excited to play a role in the digital transformation of corporate travel in Oman.”
Darrbak also hopes to build strategic partnerships with local and regional travel service providers, airlines, and accommodation networks to expand its reach and offer more competitive rates for business travelers.
Supporting the National Vision
Darrbak’s mission is closely aligned with Oman Vision 2040, a national development plan that seeks to build a diversified and sustainable economy. Part of that vision includes empowering the private sector, encouraging innovation, and embracing digital transformation.
By offering a smart, scalable travel management solution, Darrbak contributes to the modernization of public and private sector operations. Streamlined travel logistics can help businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance employee satisfaction—making Darrbak’s offering particularly timely as Oman focuses on improving governance and competitiveness.
Role of the Future Fund and Its Broader Impact
The Future Fund doesn’t operate alone. It works in partnership with several key national institutions and investment companies, including Tanmia, ITHCA Group, Omantel, and Cyfr Capital. These partners help identify promising startups and provide strategic support, from mentoring to scaling opportunities.
Together, they aim to build a supportive startup ecosystem that allows Omani entrepreneurs to thrive not just locally, but regionally and globally. By focusing on early-stage funding and innovation, the fund is helping build a pipeline of homegrown solutions for real-world problems—of which corporate travel is one.
The Road Ahead for Darrbak
With funding secured and a strong roadmap in place, Darrbak is well-positioned to become a leader in corporate travel technology in Oman and the wider GCC region. The company is currently refining its software and onboarding new clients, including some of the country’s leading companies and government bodies.
Darrbak’s long-term vision includes offering multilingual support, mobile app integration, AI-powered travel recommendations, and dynamic pricing tools. The company is also exploring potential expansion into nearby markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the coming years.
Final Thoughts
Darrbak’s successful funding round is a strong signal that Oman’s startup ecosystem is maturing and that government-backed initiatives like the Future Fund are starting to bear fruit. By tackling inefficiencies in a high-demand sector like corporate travel, Darrbak is not just building a business—it’s contributing to national goals of innovation, job creation, and digital progress.
For Omani entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, Darrbak’s story is a promising example of how local startups can grow with the right support, vision, and execution.
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