Startups
10 Promising Jordanian Tech Startups
![10 Promising Jordanian Tech Startups, amman startups](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/tech-startups-in-Jordan.png)
MENA has over the years cemented its importance as a global tech hub. Of the massive Arab-speakers population of 350 million, 40 percent of the individuals are now active internet users.
Smartphone penetration both in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is now over 60 percent, which is slightly higher than as is found in the US, UK, France, and Germany. Moreover, the time spent by Saudi Arabia and UAE on social media is surprisingly also higher than is in these aforementioned four nations.
Even so, unlike numbers would suggest, the regional tech starters hub is not in Saudi Arabia or UAE but Amman-the capital of Jordan. Referred to as Silicon Wadi’, this city houses over 600 tech firms, half of them start-ups.
Among the most promising startups it hosts are:
1. Repzo
Repzo is a mobile sales Customer Relationship Management application for Android and iPhone devices. Its functionality and features are great for use by professionals in sales, marketing, and service companies who frequently send reps into the field.
With the use of the app, reps are able to track and manage their clients’
interactions, finalize purchase orders and transaction reports while in the
field. The app also securely saves your client’s
GPS locations so that you could navigate to them easily every time.
2. CashBasha
This is a unique web-based service that allows shoppers to buy items with cash from Amazon and have them delivered to their doorsteps. It is very convenient for people who lack online payment systems. It calculates the lowest shipping and customs charges and takes care of any
other shipping and packaging arrangements on your behalf. Therefore, it is very
pocket-friendly and efficient. CashBasha takes care of the vast eCommerce market of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
3. Tamatem
This is a mobile game developer which localizes globally published mobile games and develops its own games for Arabic speakers. Some of the most popular games it has developed are Arabic Stars QuizIn and Death Road. It has made online content in app stores accessible to Arabic users and exposed them to entertainment and fun just as their fellow English
speakers in other parts of the world.
4. Edaura
This start-up is based on a course management application for educators. It allows teachers, instructors, and trainers to connect and share learning resources with their students. It also allows for course assessment through distributing and collecting assignments. Learners and educators can conveniently communicate aspects of their study and give timely feedbacks.
5. 3Oun
The company is based on the 3Oun service platform app that helps you reach utility service in an easier way. You can schedule the delivery of a quality and credible handyman for any household repair or installation tasks.
6. BilForon
This is a marketplace application that connects customers with home-cooks. Everybody knows that home food is the best. This app allows food enthusiast to order and pick up food right at the doorstep of their preferred home-based cooks.
7. MindRockets
This is a start-up that develops assistive technology solutions for the hard of hearing deaf
community. It helps in bridging the communication gap between people suffering such disabilities and tech-based gadgets or service. It uses avatars to deliver text or speech to sign language interpretations.
8. Hello World Kids
This is a start-up organization that specializes in teaching computer and programming skills to
kids. It seeks to invest in the huge creative potential of children into programming. Its goal is to make sure that young adults would be better equipped to offer solutions to problems in a
rapidly evolving technology-based world.
9. Friendture
This is a start-up based on a mobile app that enables it, users, to connect for group management, group activity, and creation. Users have the luxury of planning and managing public or private events.
10. Feesheh
This is an online based music and instrument store. It provides musical instruments such as guitars, keyboards, drums, digital pianos, violins, and percussions. It also offers literature and multi-media accessories in from of books and DVDs for people to use in learning their musical instruments. The company also offers instrument repair services.
A thank you goes to Khaled ElAhmed for helping me scanning the Jordanian startup scene.
Startups
Rising from Debt: Al Nashmiah Farms’ Battle to Empower Indebted Women
![Rising from Debt: Al Nashmiah Farms' Battle to Empower Indebted Women](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Alnashmiah-farms.jpg)
Al Nashmiah Farms, committed to aiding women burdened by debt and facing the threat of incarceration, offers a novel solution for them to earn their way to freedom. Under the leadership of Razan Harb, motivated by her family’s financial struggles, the farm has become a pivotal force in rescuing those ensnared in the debt trap, providing them with employment and a sense of purpose.
Harb, observing the plight of many women who took loans in hopes of improving their families’ fortunes, only to be overwhelmed by unfortunate circumstances, economic downturns, and oppressive taxes, has established a farm that serves as both a source of employment and a supplier of high-quality produce to major markets.
The farm’s operations include the provision of household essentials, emphasizing the importance of quality through methods such as nitrogen sterilization and the use of healthy packaging. Additionally, Harb has initiated work-from-home opportunities, enabling women to engage in the packing of vegetables and fruits for market and direct sales, thereby offering a sustainable model for economic independence and recovery from debt.
News
GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028
![GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Selina-Bieber-the-Senior-Director-of-Global-Markets-at-GoDaddy.webp)
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.
Apps
Saudi Fintech ‘Lendo’ Raises $28M in Series B Funding
![Lendo Secures $28M in Series B Funding Led by Sanabil Investments, Eyes IPO](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-3-1.webp)
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based shariah-compliant debt crowdfunding marketplace, has raised SAR 105 million ($28 million) in Series B funding led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”). The round saw participation from Shorooq Partners, AB Ventures and other investors.
Lendo is a Shariah-compliant, debt crowdfunding marketplace that helps pre-finance outstanding invoices for businesses in Saudi Arabia. The platform is a community of creditworthy borrowers and sophisticated investors looking for alternative investments. The platform is licensed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Lendo will use the funds to support its fast-growing customer base in Saudi Arabia which has grown 3X year-on-year, introduce more innovative financing products, and accelerate market expansion plans.
“With this funding round, we are going to expand into new markets, support new and current customers, and launch new Shariah-compliant products, all the while continuing to innovate the marketplace for digital lending. We are going to make financial services more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for everyone. I am excited to see what the future holds for our company,” said Osama Alraee, CEO, and co-founder of Lendo, who also disclosed its plans for an IPO within the next few years.
Alraee has also expressed his gratitude to SAMA (Saudi Central Bank), Fintech Saudi, MCIT, Misk, and Monshaat for their unwavering support, emphasizing the pivotal role they have played in advancing financial inclusivity and fostering innovation in partnership with Lendo to reshape the financial landscape. Their dedicated efforts in advancing financial inclusivity and fostering innovation have been invaluable to us. We greatly appreciate their partnership in our mission to transform the financial landscape
Commenting on the announcement, Sanabil Investments said: “Lendo is a leading fintech company that is transforming the financial services industry in their specialist area of Shariah-compliant digital lending for SMEs. The Lendo team, especially the founders, Osama and Mohamed, have achieved a significant amount in a relatively short period, and we are eager to join their journey of increasing access to flexible financial solutions in Saudi Arabia and the region at large.”
“The growing demand for alternative, agile, and accessible lending solutions presents a significant opportunity. At Lendo, we are well-positioned to lead the charge in promoting financial inclusion not only in Saudi Arabia but also beyond. By fueling SME growth, we aim to contribute to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic goals and to create a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the MENA region,” said Mohamed Jawabri, COO, and co-Founder of Lendo.
Lendo previously raised a SAR 27 million Series A funding round ($7.2 million) in 2021 led by Derayah Ventures with participation from Seedra Ventures and other investors, bringing the fintech’s total funding to SAR 132 million ($35.2 million).
Since the inception of Dec 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed more than 2,500 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 1 billion ($300 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 140 million ($37 million) returns for investors.
The Small and Medium Enterprise financing landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (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. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the SME financing gap is estimated at SAR 19.5 trillion ($5.2 trillion) every year in developing countries.
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, which aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
The total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from 1.4 million SAR in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable 430% growth, according to SAMA’s annual fintech report 2022.
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