News
UAE-based startup Fit On Click raises $1.5M Pre-Series A
Fit On Click, a fitness and wellness startup based in the UAE, has closed a $1.5M Pre-Series A funding round led by Arrow Capital. It continues its growth journey through Ventures Lab, the Venture Builder program launched last year by Modus Capital and Hub71.
The lead investor in the round, Arrow Capital, will act as Fit On Click’s financial and strategic advisor.
Founded by husband and wife duo Neha and Ben Samuel, Fit On Click has delivered fitness and wellness employee engagement programs to over 200 corporates to date. The startup also recently launched Fitze, a “reward as you move” app that incentivizes its users to earn coins and unlock rewards for every step they take.
Fitze was initially released in Beta to encourage residents to stay active during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since its official launch, the app has accumulated 20,000+ users, hosted multiple corporate challenges, and partnered with over 100 brands to provide diverse rewards.
“The investment came at the right time for us. Fit On Click has been in the industry for five years, and we have always focused on innovative and customized health solutions for corporates. We are now widening our efforts to include individuals and communities through Fitze, born from a vision to empower and reward UAE residents for each step they take.
“With the support of Arrow Capital and Ventures Lab, this funding round will allow us to strengthen our online product and scale faster to help our communities build and sustain active lifestyles,” said Ben Samuel, Founder, and CEO at Fit On Click.
Sumit Mehta, Managing Director at Arrow Capital, commented, “We are thrilled to be investing in Fit On Click, a self-sustaining sports and fitness services business which has recently pivoted and launched a digital app. Fitze highlights Ben and Neha’s ability to shift with market needs and create innovative ways to increase engagement between users and consumer brands. We look forward to joining them on their journey of inevitable growth.”
The startup is also one of a select few accepted into Ventures Lab – the Venture Builder program run by Modus Capital, a Venture Builder and VC fund, and Hub71, a flagship Abu Dhabi government initiative that enables innovation and growth opportunities for tech startups.
Based out of Abu Dhabi, Ventures Lab empowers entrepreneurs to accelerate transformational ideas and build sustainable and scalable startup ventures. Fit On Click joined the program with a particular focus on strengthening and scaling Fitze. Modus is working operationally with the team to refine its product, enhance the tech platform, and execute user growth and retention strategies.
Tania Minato, MD of UAE Venture Builders at Modus Capital, shared her hopes for the team, “Ben and Neha are exactly the type of founders we like to work with; they are extremely driven and have an unwavering desire to transform the fitness space in the region. We’re proud of the progress they’ve made throughout the program, and we’re excited to continue working hands-on with them to empower their users to leverage tech positively and live a healthier, more fulfilled day-to-day life.”
This round marks the first time Fit On Click has raised institutional funding after being self-funded since conception. Before this, Ben and Neha bootstrapped the startup and successfully sustained themselves throughout product launches and user growth.
With the newly raised Pre-Series A funds by Arrow Capital and the operational expertise from Ventures Lab, Fit On Click plans to scale to the broader MENA region soon.
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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