Companies Invested In
Companies Invested In
Companies
Karen Wazen Eyewear is a fashion retail company specialized in sunglasses. The company was founded by Karen Wazen, a celebrated digital influencer, humanitarian and entrepreneur. “Within just a few years, it has become one of the hottest brands to come out of the region, donned by celebrities like Dua Lipa, Kourtney Kardashian, Addison Rae, Demi Lovato, Winnie Harlow and many more.”
Not only does the brand represent an iconic rocket to fame, having become an instant, global fashion obsession — but the business itself is a phenomenon in its own right, currently stocked with some of the industry’s biggest names and largest retailers, across the world. Karen Wazen Eyewear is displayed in-store in some of the world’s most prestigious outlets: Bloomingdales, Level Shoes, Harvey Nichols, Galeries Lafayette, Koibird and Browns, in stores across Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Kuwait, Egypt and London. Also sold Online by Farfetch, Koibird, Browns, Level Shoes, Shopbop, OUNASS, and Revolve.
Yoco is an African technology company. We create opportunities for entrepreneurs to get paid and be more successful. Every day, we break down barriers and create access so that more businesses can participate in the economy and thrive.
“We’re unlocking economic opportunities by building inclusive financial tools for the self-employed. We believe in a world where commerce is more accessible, more possible, more inclusive, more for everyone. We believe in a world where technology enables people to focus on what matters, where they can tap into their gifts, creativity and passion. We believe in increasing wealth locally, and in the ripple effect that it can have on so many communities.”
Founded in 2015, Yoco now processes over US$2 billion annually, and we’re the payments provider for over 230 000 self-employed. By 2024 we aim to serve 1 million entrepreneurs, becoming the leading Open Commerce ecosystem for small business, across Africa and the Middle East.
Addmind is a hospitality group with a distinctive and growing international portfolio of restaurants, bars and lounges, beach clubs, nightlife, and hotels. “Fueled by an attitude of constant innovation, exploration, and creativity, our mission is to deliver captivating experiences and genuine hospitality, with an adventurous spirit.”
The story of Addmind began with the opening of CEO Tony Habre’s first bar in Beirut in 2001, and the company has grown exponentially ever since. Nearly twenty years later Addmind continues to thrive, the company has expanded to over 22 brands to date with a portfolio of venues spanning MENA and growing internationally.
Huspy is on a mission to improve the home buying experience for everyone through convenience, clarity, and care. Back in 2019, Jad and Khalid were shocked with how overly complicated and expensive the process of getting a home loan is in most countries and decided to act on it fast.
This became a quest to develop a product that would digitize and simplify the process of home buying for everyone. From finding a property to financing it.
By using technology and the knowledge of our internal experts, we are building a transparent and easy-to-understand experience. Buying a home can finally be an actual moment to celebrate, not a nail-biting stressful event.
Since launching in 2020, Huspy has grown to become the largest home finance business in the UAE.
Threads Styling is a personalized, luxury shopping experience that takes users on a seamless journey from chat to delivery — ‘whatever you want, wherever you are’.
“Our ecommerce platform leverages social media chat apps, to keep us connected to our customers 24/7, so we can offer an interactive and bespoke experience, curating the ultimate edit of luxury products and brands. The tools and platforms being built at Threads Styling are game-changing; making our service more personal, delivering more value to our internal teams and business partners, and allowing us to interact with our clients on a higher level.”
Threads began as a personal shopping service in 2010 before relaunching as a social and chat-commerce marketplace in 2014. The London-based company raised $12 million of venture capital from pre-existing investors, in addition to launching a crowdfunding campaign aimed at its clients. Since then, Threads Styling has built a $60 million business.
HyperSpace develops future-forward, experiential attractions, building physical entertainment parks for a digital world. “Our permanent, ticketed attractions have the power to revolutionize vulnerable retail ecosystems, by building sophisticated, immersive playgrounds for creating, exploring, discovering, and connecting in the real world — that enhance the digital lifestyle of the future.”
HyperSpace has created the world’s first Blockchain enabled and Extended Reality (XR) native physical attractions, and has raised $11m in equity and development seed funding. Led by Introsight and Dubai Financier Mohammed Afkhami, the funding is one of the largest seed rounds ever seen in the Middle East region. HyperSpace, headquartered in Dubai, was founded in 2020, has grown to over 25 employees, and is set to open two new entertainment parks in Dubai in the second half of 2022.
Bümo creates state of the art coworking spaces and expert child care hubs, all under one roof. They’re havens for those wanting to balance a connected, present parenting style with their own professional ambitions. “Whether you’re desperate for a serene place to work with peace of mind, or you’re an employer looking for a bespoke in-house setup, we offer hands-on child care, online classes for kids, and specialized enrichment like tutoring. Created by working parents for working parents, and licensed and advised by experts. This is the future of the working family.”
We help parents work hard and parent hard with our revolutionary coworking space that includes child care, right down the hall. Beautiful space, expert-led children’s programming, and exclusive events are all included in our BumoWork memberships. Currently at Westfield Century City, and expanding to other cities soon!
BumoWork – https://www.bumowork.com
On-demand child care in a center near you! Bümo is bringing our educational, play-forward style of care to local centers all across the USA.
BumoCare – https://bumo.care
Little Brain serves children under the age of 7, offering live classes and on-demand classes that are educational, interactive, and fun. Big Brain is designed for children older than 7, and offers tutoring, mentorship, and community building.
BumoBrain – https://bumobrain.com
FlexClub is a car subscription marketplace offering members the most flexible way to get a car online. “Members can choose from a wide selection of car subscription offers from our vehicle partners. FlexClub operates in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town in South Africa; and Guadalajara in Mexico. We currently partner with rental, leasing, and manufacturer fleets such as Avis, Europcar, and Bajaj, all looking to take advantage of the growth of the subscription economy.”
FlexClub was founded in 2019 to challenge the often exploitative rental market, when it launched in South Africa and Mexico, both in the same year. In 2020, they expanded their marketplace offering to include private consumers looking for flexible access to a vehicle for personal use.
Supy is a procurement software that empowers restaurants to better manage all their communication with suppliers, streamlining the ordering process end to end. “The software allows for real time collaboration across users and suppliers, instantly logging and tracking purchase orders. In addition to many other services, we offer live insights, helping to guide smarter decisions and reduce costs.”
Supy raised $1.5 million in pre-Seed funding, co-led by UAE-based investor COTU Ventures and US-based Valia Ventures. Having launched in January 2021, in just a few months, the platform has witnessed rapid growth. Already, Supy powers over 1,000 restaurants and suppliers across the UAE, including leading brands such as Tashas Group, Pinza, Akiba Dori, One Life DXB, and fast-food chain Popeyes.
BY Venture Partners is an early-stage venture firm based in Abu Dhabi, with a strong global footprint and presence in Europe (London/Geneva), US (San Francisco), and SEA (Kuala Lumpur).
“We invest in high impact founders building category defining companies. Our position at the intersection of MENA and global markets helps MENA startups become global, and international companies expand to our region. Our team has a history of success as both investors and founders, and can provide value to portfolio companies through unique resources and an extensive global network of connections. Being former entrepreneurs ourselves, the BY has a strong team culture and infrastructure that supports founder growth.”
QiDZ is a must-have entertainment app for the best ideas, deals, and rewards, for kids and family activities. “QiDZ is here to make your life easier and help you create family memories together. Through the app, parents can book an endless variety of activities, ranging from theme parks and museums to golf clubs, malls, restaurants, talent development centers, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, dance and music classes.”
Qidz launched in 2017, and has since evolved from being an aggregator of information into a full-service platform, with enhanced functionalities including the ability to buy tickets for events online. Public engagement in the last three years has been exponential, reaching more than 300,000 families. Today, thousands of vendors list their businesses on the platform, and they’re treasured by parents and children alike, all over KSA, UAE, EGT and BAH.
OrthoSon is the next generation of motion-restoring treatment for degenerated spinal discs, with Incisionless Restoration of Spine Mechanics technology. OrthoSon has developed a safer, cost-effective treatment option for patients, without the risks and complications of major surgery.
“More than 500 million people report having back pain yet there remain few treatment options. Enter OrthoSon: developing a treatment to restore spine function and alleviate symptoms, for patients living with persistent, discogenic low back pain. The entire procedure is designed around a single 1.5mm puncture in the annulus fibrosus with patented imaging technology. While other treatment options seek to dull the discomfort, we’re developing technology to address the underlying cause of back pain with a truly minimally invasive procedure.”
A spin out from the University of Oxford, OrthoSon has raised £3.25m ($4.2m) so far, comprising £1.8m in seed funding in November 2019 led by Oxford Technology and Innovations EIS Fund and its advisor Oxford Investment Consultants, and £1.45m in grant funding from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.