United Arab Emirates-based automated investment advisory platform Sarwa has raised US$1.3 million in a pre-Series A round from venture capital firms Shorooq Investments, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), 500 Startups, Women’s Angel Investor Network, Hala Ventures and Saned Partners. Sarwa launched its services in February 2018 under the Innovation Testing License, a special license for fintech startups awarded for the first time by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. As part of its expansion strategy, Sarwa aims to work with the corporate sector to offer employees savings plans and help them achieve their long-term financial goals.