Ronaldo Mouchawar

Ecommerce logistics is scaling up globally. In the Mideast, Locad just raised $9 million to expand in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It was led by Global Ventures and ReefKNoT Investments. And the financing will enable Locad to scale up in AI-driven logistics services, including ecommerce fulfillment, warehousing and inventory management. In logistics, we've seen the success of global consolidators like XPO. Will we see someone take a similar approach in supply chain technology? https://lnkd.in/edxMBaWw

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All my years in the business set up industry and now at FounderX_ae I can strongly conclude that nothing compares to the explosive growth of e-commerce we’re witnessing right now! The numbers don’t lie! According to a recent report the UAE’s e-commerce market hit AED 27.5 billion in 2023 and is set to soar beyond AED 48.8 billion by 2028.  🇦🇪 There is no denying that COVID-19, and the lockdown influenced a significant rise in the Industry. I can confidently say 7 out of 10 inquiries received by business set ups revolve around the E-commerce Industry, whether people are interested in selling goods or selling a service. They’re jumping at the chance to start online businesses into the growing market. Here’s the real kicker. Mobile commerce is absolutely on fire. Because people are gravitating towards the convenience of shopping on their smartphones and enjoying significant cost. Save on overhead costs, avoid inventory expenses, and reach a global market effortlessly with e-commerce. The UAE government recognizes the enormous value and revenue that businesses bring to the country. To support and encourage entrepreneurship, they've made business setup remarkably accessible for as low as AED 5,555 and licenses issued within just 24 hours. The e-commerce landscape is flooded with opportunity. What's your take on the rapid growth of e-commerce?

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Here's the MENA tech news you missed last week 👇 🗞️ Updates 🛵 talabat's IPO has been fully subscribed within minutes of opening. The offering, priced between AED 1.50 and AED 1.60 per share, involves a 15% stake, equating to approximately 3.49 billion shares. At the upper price range, Talabat's valuation would be around $10.2 billion, slightly below its parent company Delivery Hero's $11 billion market value and Emirates NBD's estimate of $14.4 billion. This IPO follows recent underperforming regional deals, including Lulu Retail's $1.7 billion IPO in Abu Dhabi and Oman's energy unit's $2 billion offering. The final offering price is set to be announced on November 29, with trading expected to commence on December 10. 🇸🇦 The Saudi Exchange has approved Jahez Group’s transfer from the parallel market "Nomu" to the main market "TASI," reflecting its improved performance and compliance with listing standards. With a capital of 104.92 million SAR across 209.8 million shares, Jahez will temporarily suspend trading after publishing its transfer document, with the timeline for its TASI listing announced once regulatory steps are complete. 👾 Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has reduced its stake in Nintendo to 6.3% from 7.5%, selling over 17 million shares between August and October, according to Japan’s Finance Ministry. While previously speculated to increase its holdings, the PIF’s recent sales suggest a shift in strategy. Despite the reduction, the sovereign wealth fund remains one of Nintendo’s largest shareholders. This move comes as the PIF balances its $38 billion gaming investment strategy, which includes hosting major esports events, with growing focus on domestic economic priorities amid budget pressures. 🤝 Acquisitions ✏️ PwC Middle East has agreed to acquire Emkan Education إمكان التعليمية, a Saudi consulting firm specialising in education and skills development. Established a decade ago, Emkan adds deep expertise to PwC’s regional education division. Founding partners Mounira Jamjoom, Sara Zaini, and Basma Bushnak will join PwC, with Emkan retaining its operations under PwC’s leadership. 📈 New fund 🕹️ Merak Capital has launched Exel By Merak, a $80 million gaming fund and accelerator to support gaming startups and position Saudi Arabia as a global gaming hub. Announced on November 17, 2024, in Riyadh, the program targets game developers and gaming technologies, offering investment, mentorship, and resources to help startups scale. The first batch aims to support 15-20 startups, create over 120 jobs, and contribute SAR 100 million to the Saudi GDP. 🌍 Global investments ☁️ Global Ventures has co-led a $9 million pre-Series B funding round for Singapore-based logistics startup Locad... *************************** 🐢 Get our full weekly MENA tech roundup, as well as the most interesting VC and startup stories, direct to your inbox twice a week here: https://lnkd.in/eVbWNJNp 📥

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The Rapid Expansion of E-commerce Delivery in the UAE Post-pandemic, the e-commerce industry in the UAE has exploded, with people ordering everything from groceries to clothes online. This has created a HUGE opportunity for delivery service providers! Big players like Amazon, Noon, Talabat, and Smile outsource their deliveries, and that's where YOU come in. Start Your Own Lucrative Delivery Business: Get RTA Approval & Register: The first steps involve getting the green light from the Road Transport Authority and registering your business. Invest in Bikes (Optional): Popular models like Bajaj Pulsar and Unicorn can be a great asset, but you can also start with just manpower. Partner with Major Companies: Secure contracts with e-commerce giants for consistent revenue streams. Let Kilton Be Your Guide: Navigating the setup process can be complex, but Kilton is here to simplify everything! They can help you: Obtain RTA Approval Secure Visas for Employees Connect You with Major E-commerce Players Set Up Your Business Anywhere in the UAE The Market is Still Growing: This isn't a fleeting trend; e-commerce delivery is here to stay and expand. Don't miss out on this lucrative opportunity! Visit Kilton's office for a detailed discussion and take the first step towards your successful delivery business. Click the link below to understand the opportunities of E-commerce in UAE https://lnkd.in/dTTkGYpt #ecommerce #delivery #UAE #businessopportunity #Kilton Let's connect and explore this further!

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🌟 From $13,000 to a Billion-Dollar IPO: The Remarkable Rise of Talabat What started as a small food delivery platform in Kuwait, inspired by Egypt’s Otlob, is now a regional giant preparing for a $1 billion IPO. 🔺 Founded in 2004 with just $13,000, talabat entered a market where only 30% had internet access. 🔺 Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani, an early visionary and former leader, saw the potential and secured 90% of the company in 2007, driving its initial success. 🔺 By 2009, Talabat was cash-flow positive, with a 70% margin, offering free services to attract major restaurant chains. 🔺 In 2015, Rocket Internet SE acquired Talabat for $170M – the largest tech exit in the region at the time. 🔺 Now, in 2024, Talabat is gearing up for an IPO on the Dubai Stock Exchange, aiming to raise $1 billion. From its humble beginnings, inspired by bold ideas, to becoming a market leader, Talabat’s journey proves that vision and perseverance can drive monumental success. #talabat #fooddelivery #ipo #startupsuccess #globalsuccess #kuwait #mena #uae #dubai #unicorn #dubaistockexchange

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NEWS: Mubadala-backed e-commerce fulfilment startup Huboo raises £45m Huboo, which helps e-commerce brands manage warehousing and delivery logistics, has raised £44.7m, according to Companies House documents. The filings, published in October and relating to the issuing of new shares in July, come after the Bristol-based startup’s cofounder and CEO Martin Bysh stepped down in May. He was replaced by Andrew Pinnington. At the time, it was reported by multiple media outlets that Huboo had secured an undisclosed investment led by existing backer UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and featuring other previous investors — which also gave the Abu Dhabi investor board control. It’s not clear whether that round is related to the startup’s recent Companies House filings. Huboo didn’t respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. The startup also counts the likes of Ada Ventures, Maersk, Episode 1 Ventures and Hearst Ventures on its cap table. The fresh funds take its total funding to more than $190m, according to Dealroom figures. https://lnkd.in/eCnHc6hy

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#News | Locad has raised $9 million in a pre-Series B funding round, co-led by Global Ventures and ReefKNoT Investments. The startup plans to use the funds to expand its cloud supply chain services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, enhancing AI-driven logistics for global consumer brands. #RealtyNXT #Logistics #SupplyChain #AI #Ecommerce #Funding #GlobalExpansion #TechInnovation #SmartLogistics #SupplyChainManagement Constantin Robertz Jannis Dargel Shrey Jain

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MENA Weekly start-up funding round-up 👇 Grubtech (🇦🇪 UAE), a platform that streamlines operations for restaurants and cloud kitchens, has raised $15 million in its Series B and Series A extension rounds. 🚀 Founder: Mohamed Al Fayed, Omar Rifai, and Mohamed Hamedi 💰 Investor:  Led by Jahez Group, with participation from existing investors Addition and Oryx Fund. iyris (🇸🇦 KSA), an agritech that boosts crop yields, cuts costs and risks, and extends growing seasons in tough farming environments has secured a $16 million Series A round. 🚀 Founder: Ryan Lefers, Derya Baran and Mark Tester 💰 Investor: Led by Ecosystem Integrity Fund, with support from Global Ventures, Dubai Future District Fund, Kanoo Ventures, Globivest, and Bonaventure Capital. YoLa Fresh (🇲🇦 Morocco), an agritech that connects farmers directly with retailers and food service companies has raised a $7 million pre-Series A funding round. 🚀 Founder: Youssef Mamou and Larbi Alaoui Belrhiti 💰 Investor: Led by Al Mada Ventures with participation from Algebra Ventures, E3 Capital , Janngo.africa, and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank. Growdash (🇦🇪 UAE), an SaaS platform that enables restaurant marketing and operational teams to build, execute, and manage profitable growth strategies across digital sales channels, has raised a $1.8 million Seed round. 🚀 Founder: Sean Trevaskis and Enver Melih Sorkun 💰 Investor: Led by Oryx Fund. Other participants included Hub71, TPN Investments and GCC Angels; plus new participation from industry-leading angels like 🪽⚡️AngelSpark, Mohamed Zourob, and Abdullah Mohamad. Holo (🇦🇪 UAE), a proptech startup that simplifies the homeownership journey by offering digital mortgage services that allow buyers and homeowners to explore refinancing options has raised an undisclosed pre-Series A funding round. 🚀 Founder: Michael Hunter CeMAP and Arran Summerhill 💰 Investor: Led by DFDF and Oryx Fund, along with Aditum Investment Management. Aanaab (🇸🇦 KSA), a digital training platform offers K–12 teachers and educators a range of courses, licensing, and qualifications, predominantly in Arabic, to advance their professional development, has raised an undisclosed investment. 🚀 Founder: Mounira Jamjoom 💰 Investor: Rethink Education 🐢 And while you're here, do yourself a favour and sign-up to get more MENA start-up, VC and tech stories, interviews and deep-dives, direct to your inbox twice a week: https://lnkd.in/eVbWNJNp 📥 #uae #saudi #vcfunding #mena #startup #morocco

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Foodtech is Back: talabat a $15 billion IPO valuation, surpassing its mother Delivery Hero. Major news for the Middle East’s tech and food delivery landscape! Talabat is preparing for its highly anticipated IPO on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) later in 2024, aiming for a valuation between $12.9 billion and $15.1 billion. This would position it ahead of its parent company, Delivery Hero, currently valued at $11.5 billion. In 2023, Talabat posted strong numbers with a $6.1 billion GMV and $194 million in ad revenue, putting it at a 2.5x GMV multiple, higher than its peers. Talabat’s impressive 23% GMV growth in H1 places it third in the region. The IPO could raise around $1 billion, further boosting its competitiveness against regional rivals like Careem. This is another positive market signal after the Covid-induced hype and extreme Foodtech valuations, followed by a sharp correction post-pandemic. Foodtech delivery is making a comeback! Other positive signals include the recent funding round of German Q-commerce player Flink and the funding round of Czech player Rohlik Group. With leading banks Emirates NBD, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan managing the offering, Talabat is set to become one of the most significant listings on the DFM this year, marking another major step in its journey as a leader in the Middle East’s food tech sector. #IPO #Talabat #FoodTech #DeliveryTech #MiddleEastTech #DFM #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #QCommerce #eCommerce #RetailTech #Omnichannel #Logistics #SupplyChain #CustomerExperience #TechInnovation #DigitalTransformation #GroceryDelivery #FoodDelivery #LastMileDelivery #QuickCommerce #RetailTrends #SustainabilityInRetail #OnlineRetail #EcommerceStrategy #retail #egrocers #foodtech #etail #fromhomecookingtonocooking

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War of the Windows—or Two Sides of the Same Festive Coin?   With the Yellow Friday Sale in full swing, shopping has never been more thrilling—or more diverse.   On one side, there’s the offline world: vibrant shopping streets buzzing with festive energy. Picture Diwali bazaars glowing with lights, the electrifying atmosphere of Dubai Shopping Festival, or Eid markets filled with the aroma of spices and the sound of laughter.    It’s about the joy of being out there—bags in hand, sampling sweets, or catching a live performance. It’s an experience no digital screen can ever replicate.   On the flip side, the online shopping window offers a different kind of excitement. Imagine the adrenaline rush during Noon’s Yellow Friday Sale or Amazon’s seasonal events—your cart is loaded, fingers poised, waiting for that perfect deal.    In 2023, Yellow Friday sales on Noon saw an eight-fold surge in weekly revenue, with discounts of up to 70% on tech, gadgets, beauty, and more. With targets of up to 25 million unique shoppers, it’s clear online retail continues to push boundaries. But offline retail isn’t stepping aside. In Saudi Arabia, 2023 festive retail sales saw steady growth, fueled by high consumer confidence and the unmatched charm of in-person shopping. Iconic events like Eid and Ramadan bazaars remain integral, blending tradition with commerce.   So, is this a competition, or are these two worlds beautifully complementing each other? Offline shopping gives us memories, connections, and traditions. Online shopping offers unmatched convenience, variety, and that unbeatable deal-from-your-couch feeling.   Ultimately, the “war of the windows” isn’t about picking sides but embracing what fits your moment.

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The State of Payment in the UAE July 2024 Discover the latest insights in our comprehensive report, ‘The State of Payment in the UAE.’ This report examines payment statistics, payment systems, key industry players, regulatory status, and licensing in the UAE’s evolving financial landscape. #Fintech #UAEPayments

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The UAE's e-commerce market is poised for substantial growth, with projections estimated to reach $17 billion next year. As online shopping becomes a staple for consumers, the market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.54% from 2024 to 2028. For businesses aiming to scale their online sales, keeping an eye on these emerging tech trends will be key to staying ahead in the evolving e-commerce landscape: 1. Personalization at Scale: Today’s consumers demand highly personalized experiences. Businesses that deliver tailored content, product recommendations, and seamless user journeys will gain a competitive edge. 2. Mobile-First Strategy: With most e-commerce traffic coming from mobile devices, prioritizing a mobile-first approach is crucial for success in the digital marketplace. 3. Voice Commerce: As voice search and smart assistants become more prevalent, developing innovative solutions to enhance voice shopping capabilities is essential for making it easier for customers to find and buy products via voice commands. 4. Sustainability and Ethical Shopping: Increasingly, consumers are prioritizing sustainability and ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions, driving the demand for responsible and transparent e-commerce practices. 5. Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping: AR is transforming the online shopping experience by allowing customers to visualize products in their own environments before purchasing, creating a more immersive and informed buying journey. By embracing these trends, businesses can better position themselves to thrive in the fast-evolving e-commerce landscape. #Ecommerce #Technology #TechnologyTrends #Digital #Business #UAE

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UAE-based startups led the region in funding last month, securing $82.5 million across 15 deals. Egyptian startups followed with $15 million raised by four companies, marking the second-highest total. Saudi Arabia dropped to third, with seven startups raising $13.5 million. Notable activity was also observed in Iraq, with six startups raising an estimated $1.2 million, though this amount could be higher as Orisdi, BonLili, and Alsaree3 did not disclose their investment values. Sector wise, fintech reclaimed its position as the most funded sector in June, securing $38 million over 10 deals, closely followed by contech, thanks to Tenderd’s deal. Meanwhile, three proptech startups raised $19.6 million in June, reversing the lead it achieved in May. The majority of June’s investment went to the pre-Series A stage, as four startups received $45 million, followed by the Seed stage, where five startups raised $27.3 million. However, when considering investment volume, early stage startups are still capturing the attention of investors, where eight startups at their pre-seed stage garnered $3 million, and eight others received $140,000 in grants. Wamda Capital Wamda ومضة Nesma Abdel Azim

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BNPL is big news in the GCC - I chatted with a VC who told me that creditworthy customers are underserved for consumer credit, so firms like Tabby and Tamara are capitalising on that, with Tabby becoming the region's first fintech unicorn with a valuation of $1.5 billion. Saudi Arabia is also very prominent on the GCC IPO scene at the moment, so everyone wants to know when Saudi-based Tabby will list on Tadawul. Not quite yet, it seems, but the day is definitely coming. https://lnkd.in/dsnK7YV9

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Looking to build strategic partnerships for your business? I ask the Blacklane Global Head of Partnerships and ex-Careem Director Adib Samara the key to raising 9 figures of funding, the best financial advice he's ever received, and the biggest mistake he sees founders make. "One mistake founders make is to think they can do everything themselves and they don't ask for help. Another mistake is they think entrepreneurship in itself is fun and cool. In reality it's tough, and if your business isn't solving for something, then you're in a lot of trouble. " Book a tailored 1:1 video call with Adib on Callmi here: https://lnkd.in/d6mgUaDQ

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📍Here's the MENA VC and tech news you missed out on this week... 👇 🌯 Abu Dhabi’s Ruya Partners has invested $15.5 million in Epik Foods, a UAE-based multi-channel restaurant group. Established in 2017, Epik Foods was formed through a partnership between KR&CO founders Khaled Fadly and Ranya Basyuni and Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), merging three UAE-based food tech companies: Happy Platter Kitchens, KR&CO - Kreative Restaurants and Co, and Sweetheart Kitchen. Vishal Khithani Abhimanyu Gupta Mirza Beg Omar AlYawer Rashid Siddiqi Vaibhav Kothari Siddharth Sanghi 🧬 Saudi Arabia announced the launch of the Life Ventures Capital Fund, dedicating approximately $50 million to support life sciences startups. The fund, announced at last weeks Biban24 forum, will aim to drive innovation and advance pioneering projects, particularly in science, health, and biotechnology solutions. Albert Malaty, MBA 🇪🇬 Orange Egypt CEO Yasser Shaker has announced a €50 million investment to support African startups, primarily benefiting Egyptian companies, to boost youth-driven innovation. He highlighted Egypt’s strong position in African entrepreneurship and Orange Egypt’s role in expanding opportunities across the continent. ✍️ Writer, an enterprise generative AI startup founded by May Habib and Waseem Alshikh, has raised $200 million in a Series C round at a $1.9 billion valuation to expand its platform. Habib and AlShikh began their entrepreneurial journey in Dubai with Qordoba in 2011, they subsequently moved to Silicon Valley and launched Writer in 2020, which has since grown into a leading generative AI platform serving customers like Qualcomm, Salesforce, and Uber. 🤖 AI-powered sales startup 11x has raised $50 million in a new funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. Founded in 2022 by Syrian entrepreneur Hasan Sukkar, 11x develops AI bots to assist sales teams with routine tasks. Its flagship product, Alice, supports salespeople by generating leads, conducting research, and coordinating customer outreach. Sukkar, immigrated to the UK in 2015 at the age of 17, as part of the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Yassin Abokheshim Felix Rösner 🚪 Abdallah Abu-Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of UAE-based fintech Astra Tech, is exiting the company, selling his stake to existing shareholder to G42. Founded in 2022, Astra Tech has rapidly grown into a super-app with acquisitions like PayBy, RIZEK, and Botim, now serving over 150 million users across 155 countries. In December 2022, G42 led Astra Tech's $500 million funding round, supporting its expansion. CTO and co-founder Long Ruan as has stepped in as interim CEO. Get the full 5-minute briefing 👉 https://lnkd.in/dVpC_ehZ 🐢 And while you're here, sign up to get the next edition delivered straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/dszhXGGP #menatech #VC #expansion #fintech

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