Finance Lab
Finance Lab is a Dubai-based independent mortgage advisory firm founded in 2020 that connects UAE nationals, expat residents, and non-resident international investors with mortgage products from 20+ UAE banks, handling residential, commercial, and land/construction finance plus ancillary financial services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Finance Lab does
Finance Lab is a Dubai-based independent mortgage advisory firm founded in 2020 by Manish Bhagnari. The company acts as an intermediary between property buyers and a network of 20+ UAE banking partners, including ADCB, FAB, Emirates NBD, HSBC, Mashreq, Standard Chartered, Dubai Islamic Bank, and ADIB. It serves UAE nationals, expatriate residents, and non-resident international investors seeking residential, commercial, and land/construction mortgages, as well as refinance and equity release transactions. The firm guides clients through the full mortgage lifecycle from pre-approval through to property key handover, differentiating on its broad lender access, ability to surface exclusive promotional rates, and value-added services such as zero-fee handover financing, life insurance bundling, and incorporation of associated purchase costs into the mortgage.
The company's product portfolio spans seven core mortgage categories (Direct Purchase, Secondary Market, Residential, Commercial, Land/Construction, Non-Resident, and Refinance/Equity Release) plus a suite of ancillary financial services including business loans, personal loans, bank account opening, property/investor visa processing via an Amer Center tie-up, property conveyancing, real estate consulting, wills and estate planning referrals, and insurance referrals. The technology stack is minimal: a consumer-facing website with an interactive mortgage calculator and educational blog content constitutes the only digital infrastructure described. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, no parent company, and only a small $26,600 funding round in September 2024.
Finance Lab operates a sales-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market model combined with a channel-partner distribution model on the supply side. The company earns revenue primarily through transaction fees — referral and arrangement commissions paid by banking partners when a mortgage is originated through Finance Lab — supplemented by affiliate referral fees from ancillary services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; clients receive free initial consultations. The firm employs 11–50 people, operates from offices in Oud Metha and Al Barsha 1 in Dubai, and reports over 100% growth in average monthly bookings compared to 2021, with growth driven largely by word-of-mouth referrals and Google review-based trust signals.
Finance Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Finance Lab
- Legal name
- Finance Lab
- Website
- https://financelab.ae
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Finance Lab is a Dubai-based independent mortgage advisory firm founded in 2020 that connects UAE nationals, expat residents, and non-resident international investors with mortgage products from 20+ UAE banks, handling residential, commercial, and land/construction finance plus ancillary financial services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Finance Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mortgage Brokerage
- NAICS
- Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (522310)
- SIC
- Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162), Loan Brokers (6163)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Debt Advisory & Financing Advisory (FSAEAGAD)
Keywords
Where Finance Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices2 records
Markets served
Finance Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Mortgage Brokerage / Arrangement Fees: Finance Lab earns commissions and arrangement fees from banks and lenders for arranging and placing mortgage products. When a client's mortgage is approved through one of the banking partners, the bank pays Finance Lab a referral or arrangement fee. This is the primary revenue stream for the company as an independent mortgage broker.
- Ancillary Financial Services: Finance Lab offers additional services including business loans, personal loans, account opening facilitation, property/investor visa processing, property conveyancing, real estate consulting, wills and estate planning referrals, and insurance referrals. These services generate additional referral fees or commissions.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Finance Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Finance Lab is an independent mortgage advisory firm that arranges residential and commercial mortgage financing for UAE nationals, expatriates, and non-resident investors. The company compares products from over 20 banking partners to match clients with the best mortgage deal and guides them through the end-to-end process from pre-approval to property handover. Ancillary services include business loans, personal loans, account opening, visa facilitation, conveyancing, real estate consulting, wills/estate planning, and insurance referrals.
Product overview
Finance Lab is an independent mortgage advisory company offering a comprehensive suite of mortgage and financing products. The core offerings consist of seven mortgage products: Direct Purchase (primary market), Secondary Market (resale properties), Residential Property, Commercial Property, Land/Construction Finance, Non-Resident Mortgages, and Refinance/Equity Release. These are complemented by value-added services including Business Loans, Personal Loans, Account Opening, Property/Investor Visa facilitation, Property Conveyancing, Real Estate Consulting, Wills & Estate Planning, and Insurance referrals. The company also provides a Mortgage Calculator tool. Finance Lab serves UAE nationals, expats, and non-residents, connecting them with over 20 banking partners including ADCB, ENBD, FAB, Mashreq Bank, and Dubai Islamic Bank. Founded in 2020, the company positions itself as an independent broker providing unbiased advice and access to the best mortgage rates in the UAE market.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Direct Purchase Mortgage Primary market mortgage financing for new properties purchased directly from developers, including new launches and ongoing projects. For UAE nationals, expats, and non-residents.
- Secondary Market Mortgage Mortgage financing for ready or off-plan properties being resold in the secondary market, including villas, townhouses, and apartments in established locations across the UAE.
- Residential Property Mortgage Home loans and mortgages for residential properties including villas, townhouses, and apartments, with tailored products for UAE nationals (up to 85% LTV, 10% down payment), expats (up to 85% LTV below AED 5M; 75% LTV above AED 5M), and non-residents.
- Commercial Property Mortgage Financing for completed commercial properties including shops, office spaces, warehouses, and other business units in the UAE.
- Land / Construction Finance Loans for land purchase and construction of registered commercial buildings, including offices, shops, residential, and mixed-use developments across the UAE.
- Non-Resident Mortgage Mortgage services for non-residents looking to purchase property in the UAE, with minimal documentation (passport copy and 3 months' bank statements) and equity release up to 60% on existing UAE property.
- Refinance / Equity Release Property refinancing and equity release services to unlock capital from existing properties for renovation, investment, or portfolio expansion in the UAE.
- Business Loans Business financing solutions for UAE business owners including corporate facilities, LC, TR, OD, and LBD services, as well as heavy vehicles, machinery, project, and equipment financing.
- Personal Loans Individual personal loan arrangements for UAE residents at competitive rates arranged through the firm's banking partners.
- Account Opening Service Assistance with opening new bank accounts for individuals and companies in the UAE through partner banks.
- Property / Investor Visa Facilitation Visa facilitation services through a tie-up with an authorized Amer Center for property investors and business formation clients.
- Property Conveyancing Legal advice, power of attorney, and administrative services related to property transactions for buyers in the UAE.
- Real Estate Consulting Property search facilitation through a network of specialist brokers across all areas in the UAE.
- Wills & Estate Planning Referral Referral services to leading law firms for the preparation of wills and estate planning for UAE property owners.
- Insurance Referral Connection to expert providers for life insurance (with exclusive bank deals saving ~50% vs in-house policies), property insurance, and content insurance requirements.
Quantifiable outcome
- Grow mortgage loan origination business by 300% over 12 months (at prior employer)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Finance Lab
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Finance Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Finance Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and ancillary.
- ADCB (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank)coreADCB is one of Finance Lab's core banking partners. Finance Lab brings clients to ADCB for mortgage origination. ADCB provides mortgage and home loan products including those for UAE nationals, expats, and non-residents. ADCB logo appears in the Banking Partners section on the homepage.
- FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank)coreFAB is listed as one of Finance Lab's primary banking partners. Finance Lab arranges mortgages in partnership with FAB for property purchases across the UAE. FAB logo appears in the Banking Partners section on the homepage.
- Emirates NBDcoreEmirates NBD is one of Finance Lab's key banking partners for mortgage origination. Finance Lab directs clients seeking property financing to Emirates NBD. The bank logo appears in the Banking Partners section on the homepage.
- Mashreq BankcoreMashreq Bank is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab brings mortgage clients to Mashreq Bank for product origination. Mashreq Bank logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- HSBCcoreHSBC is one of Finance Lab's listed banking partners. Finance Lab arranges mortgages for clients through HSBC. HSBC logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- Standard CharteredcoreStandard Chartered is a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab brings mortgage clients to Standard Chartered for property financing products. Standard Chartered logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- DIB (Dubai Islamic Bank)coreDIB is listed as a key Islamic banking partner of Finance Lab for Sharia-compliant mortgage products. Finance Lab arranges Islamic (Murabaha/Ijara) mortgages through DIB for UAE nationals and expats. DIB logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- ADIB (Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank)coreADIB is a banking partner of Finance Lab offering Sharia-compliant mortgage products. Finance Lab arranges Islamic financing solutions through ADIB. ADIB logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- RAK Bank (Ras Al Khaimah Bank)coreRAK Bank is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab arranges mortgages for clients through RAK Bank. RAK Bank logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- CBD (Commercial Bank of Dubai)coreCBD is a banking partner of Finance Lab for mortgage origination. Finance Lab brings property financing clients to CBD. CBD logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- NBF (National Bank of Fujairah)coreNBF is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab arranges mortgages through NBF for property purchases. NBF logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- Bank of BarodasecondaryBank of Baroda is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab arranges mortgages through Bank of Baroda for clients, particularly those with Indian nationality or ties. Bank of Baroda logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- Arab BanksecondaryArab Bank is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab brings mortgage clients to Arab Bank. Arab Bank logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- Ajman BanksecondaryAjman Bank is a banking partner of Finance Lab, offering Islamic banking mortgage products. Finance Lab arranges mortgages through Ajman Bank. Ajman Bank logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- Amlak FinancesecondaryAmlak Finance is listed as a financial services partner of Finance Lab, specialized in property financing solutions. Finance Lab arranges mortgages through Amlak Finance. Amlak Finance logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- SambasecondarySamba (a member of the JPMorgan Chase group) is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab arranges mortgages through Samba for clients. Samba logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- United Arab BanksecondaryUnited Arab Bank is listed as a banking partner of Finance Lab. Finance Lab arranges mortgages through United Arab Bank. United Arab Bank logo appears in the Banking Partners section.
- Amer Center (Visa Processing Partner)ancillaryFinance Lab has a tie-up with an authorized Amer Center to facilitate property/investor visa requirements and business formation services for clients. This is an ancillary service helping clients complete the full property purchase and residency process.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Finance Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Better Homes: One of Dubai's largest real estate brokerages, also offering mortgage and home loan brokerage through its finance arm. Comparable to Finance Lab because it operates across both property sales and financing, and competes for the same UAE buyer segments including expats and investors.
- Allsopp & Allsopp: Established Dubai real estate agency with a dedicated mortgages team referring clients across multiple UAE banks. Comparable because it bundles property search with mortgage advisory for the same UAE expat, national, and non-resident buyer base that Finance Lab targets.
- Driven Properties: Dubai real estate brokerage that also provides mortgage and financing services to investors and end-buyers. Comparable as a multi-service Dubai property firm with in-house mortgage advisors working across multiple bank partners.
- Haus & Haus: Independent Dubai real estate agency that includes mortgage advisory within its service offering. Comparable to Finance Lab in providing UAE property purchase support bundled with financing facilitation across a network of lenders.
- Espace Real Estate: Established Dubai real estate brokerage offering property search plus mortgage and off-plan financing support. Comparable to Finance Lab in serving UAE buyers with a combined brokerage and financing advisory offering focused on Dubai.
Emerging players
- Property Finder: UAE's leading property portal increasingly integrating mortgage comparison and lead-routing tools alongside listings. Comparable as a buyer-side discovery and financing channel that competes for the same UAE property buyer attention and may ultimately disintermediate independent brokers.
- Bayut: Major UAE property listing platform operating in the same buyer-funnel discovery layer as Property Finder. Comparable because it is increasingly tacking on financing content and broker referrals, putting pressure on independent mortgage advisors like Finance Lab.
Regional players
- Engel & Völkers Dubai: International real estate franchise active in Dubai that also facilitates mortgage advisory through partner network. Comparable as a high-end Dubai property intermediary combining brokerage with financing coordination, particularly relevant to Finance Lab's high-value and non-resident segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Finance Lab social profiles
Digital presenceFinance Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Finance Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Finance Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Finance Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Finance Lab
What does Finance Lab do?
Finance Lab is an independent mortgage advisory firm that arranges residential and commercial mortgage financing for UAE nationals, expatriates, and non-resident investors. The company compares products from over 20 banking partners to match clients with the best mortgage deal and guides them through the end-to-end process from pre-approval to property handover. Ancillary services include business loans, personal loans, account opening, visa facilitation, conveyancing, real estate consulting, wills/estate planning, and insurance referrals.
Is Finance Lab a public or private company?
Finance Lab is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Finance Lab founded?
Finance Lab was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Finance Lab based?
Finance Lab is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Finance Lab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Mortgage Brokerage / Arrangement Fees are the primary driver. The others are ancillary Financial Services.
Who are Finance Lab's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Better Homes, Allsopp & Allsopp, Driven Properties, Haus & Haus and Espace Real Estate. Emerging players are Property Finder and Bayut. Engel & Völkers Dubai is listed as a regional player.
Does Finance Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Finance Lab.
What industry is Finance Lab in?
Finance Lab's product category is Mortgage Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAGAD, Debt Advisory & Financing Advisory. Its NAICS code is 52231 and its SIC code is 6162.