A-typical Ventures has announced an investment in Metric, a fintech startup that aims to transform financial intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. The decision reflects confidence in Metric’s vision of delivering AI-powered financial planning and analysis tools that were once only accessible to large enterprises.
Metric has developed “Max,” an AI-powered CFO advisor built on proprietary data gathered from over 130,000 users across more than 190 countries. Max provides real-time, industry-specific KPI analysis and actionable insights tailored for SMEs. Despite being in closed alpha, the platform already has more than 500 businesses on its waiting list, highlighting the demand for such solutions.
The investment is backed by a strong market opportunity. The global financial analytics market is projected to reach $21.66 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 12.25 percent. Yet millions of SMEs remain underserved, with limited access to quality data-driven financial management tools. Metric is positioning itself to address this gap, beginning with markets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC region.
Beyond financial analysis, Metric is preparing to roll out an embedded finance solution that will connect SMEs to neo-banks and lending partners. This feature not only creates a new revenue stream through partnerships but also tackles the critical issue of access to capital for smaller businesses. By integrating embedded finance into its platform, Metric seeks to empower entrepreneurs with tools to sustain growth and compete effectively.
The founding team brings a blend of experience well-suited to the challenge. CEO Meenah Tariq previously worked with the World Bank, where she helped design the Women Entrepreneurs Financing Initiative in Pakistan and Iraq. CPO Omar Parvez Khan combines auditing expertise from PwC with venture capital experience at Lakson VC. CTO Dr. Habiba contributes applied machine learning expertise from her roles at Microsoft and the Department of Education.
According to Aly El Shalakany, Venture Partner at A-typical Ventures, the team’s vision extends beyond accounting software. “What really attracted us to Metric is their goal of empowering SMEs to leverage their own data to make better decisions and access solutions that were previously out of reach. Financial intelligence should not be monopolized by large companies alone. Metric is democratizing this space,” he said.
Metric’s expansion strategy includes the launch of an Arabic version tailored for the Saudi market in 2025, tapping into one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. Partnerships with global platforms such as Shopify and Zoho will strengthen distribution, while its multi-platform availability ensures accessibility across devices.
Several factors contribute to A-typical Ventures’ high conviction in Metric’s potential, including its first-mover advantage in the MENA SME market, defensible data advantage, scalable SaaS model with embedded finance upside, and strong governance supported by experienced investors like Khalsoom Lakhani of i2i Ventures.
By investing in Metric, A-typical Ventures is betting on a future where SMEs across emerging markets have access to the same caliber of financial intelligence as large corporations. With its upcoming product launches and strategic roadmap, Metric is positioned to become a category-defining company in financial intelligence, unlocking growth opportunities for millions of underserved businesses worldwide.
