he Middle East and North Africa is a region of the world that has been open to new ideas, technology, business practices. It's also one with an emerging class of entrepreneurs who are looking for ways to create solutions in challenging environments and also known for its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and opportunities and as it continues to grow in global prominence among emerging markets, investors will be eager to see what the region has in store next.Â
You may not have heard of these startups before, but they are worth checking out. With the rise of SaaS startups and tech companies, it seems as though we are living in a perpetual startup era. It's no surprise that the tech industry is booming in other parts of the world. They hail from the Middle East and Africa region and offer exciting business opportunities that you should know about. This article will give a brief introduction to them all in order; it’s time for your knowledge on this topic to broaden.
1. Approve.com
Approve.com is the new generation of the procurement management system, helping companies streamline purchasing and manage vendors to control company spends. Approves a mission for procurement was simple: Make it simpler, smarter, and more efficient by providing a platform that took care of approval workflows while allowing time-efficient interactions with suppliers to provide buyers with an all-around smoother experience when looking into buying from them.
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Industry: Procurement
2. Any.do
Any.do is a mobile app that helps you manage your life and get more done, from tasks to calendar items. More than 25 million people worldwide rely on Any.do to stay organized and accomplish their personal goals easier. The all-in-one solution to keep your life organized. Any.do combines a calendar, tasks list, and reminders in one place that syncs across devices to make sure you never miss an important deadline again.
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Industry: Productivity Tools
3. WiseStamp
WiseStamp is a state of the art platform for marketing solutions to help Micro Businesses and self employed professionals advertise their products. WiseStamp offers an array of services, including internet branding with customized websites targeted at local consumers. WiseStamp is a company that creates and uses marketing solutions for small businesses they have helped over 700,000 business owners across the globe grow their companies using simple yet highly effective products. WiseStamp's popular signature solution helps these professionals to promote themselves in an easy way by becoming more visible and professional-looking than ever before! With tens of thousands of paying users, WiseStamp has been profitable since it was created while also growing quickly at the same time.
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Industry: Brand Marketing
4. Bizzabo
Bizzabo is a powerful event success platform that can be used for virtual, in-person, and hybrid events. The software unleashes the power of an event to create rewarding experiences for organizers, attendees, sponsors, and speakers alike. Bizzabo has been trusted by brands like HubSpot Forbes Uber Electronic Arts Siemens Wall Street Journal as well as over 100 others who have seen their use case with this system firsthand through experience or research they've done on it themselves which continues to grow every day because people are experiencing more than just business growth but also personal development from what these conferences offer them.
Location: Tel Aviv Israel
Industry: Event Management
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5. Webydo
Webydo has made a platform that lets designers and agencies create, host, and manage websites without any coding. Websites created by this process are automatically responsive so they will look great on mobile devices or desktops with no extra work required from the designer. Webydo is a design-focused platform for creating and managing websites and the company has 225,000 members of its community who are designers themselves. They provide total freedom to their web designing professionals which helps them quickly create the website they need without any delays or complications that might arise from using other platforms with less flexibility in this area.
Location: Tel Aviv Israel
Industry: Software
6. Zip24
Zip24 is an on-demand software that streamlines operations management functionalities for e-commerce businesses. It has many popular features such as automatic inventory updates, real-time shipment tracking, and automated order processing among others. Zip24 is an on-demand software or “Software-as-a-Service” (SaaS) startup that streamlines operations management functionalities for e-commerce businesses via a cloud based warehouse, delivery management and enterprise resource planning (ERP), zip024 forecast orders, facilitate logistic transactions/retail and warehousing activities with order fulfillment solutions package to deliver the right product in time at minimum cost.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: eCommerce
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7. Crowd Analyzer
Crowd Analyzer is the world's most advanced media monitoring software. The Arabic-language tool can monitor millions of conversations happening on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to help brands make decisions about their marketing strategies. Crowd Analyzer has been used by some of the best-in-class companies like Huawei, Land Rover, and Abu Dhabi Media who are all reaping benefits from this revolutionary technology. The company's new platform is the first of its kind in understanding people’s opinions on social media, analyzing their content, and asking them questions. It also offers incentives for digital actions taken by users through a web-based or mobile app interface developed with no cost to implement.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Digital Media
8. Eventtus
Eventtus is revolutionizing how events connect attendees, with their innovative event apps that encourage face-to-face connections. Event technologies maximize the value for all stakeholders and help them enjoy and benefit from events more than ever before. Eventtus is the world's first one-stop shop for event organizers to manage their events. In few minutes, they can add information about the event and create an interactive web page that will bring attendees together before and after the show is over. Event planners also have access to engaging polling tools so you can know what your audience wants from you as well as find new connections by networking with other attendees before or during your big day.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Meeting Software
9. ExpandCart
ExpandCart is a cloud-based platform that has eliminated the need for technical knowledge and expertise. The company provides an easy way to create your online store, with native Arabic support from day one! ExpandCart supports many languages including English, French, and Arabic which enables business owners to manage their stores in a multilingual environment. Arabic eCommerce platform ExpandCart is the fastest-growing in the Middle East and has a higher success rate than any other. Over the past couple of years, they were able to acquire hundreds of clients ranging from individuals & small companies to enterprise-level corporations which have helped them create impressive traction for their clientele as well.
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: eCommerce
10. MaxAB
MaxAB is a B2B e-commerce marketplace that connects food and grocery retailers to suppliers in Egypt’s most under-served geographies. It re-engineers the Egyptian market, using data for making strategic decisions on their supply chains after partnering with local producers and manufacturers. MaxAB's technology enables sustainable growth by providing operational support through its advanced technologies which help put the correct amount of food at the right place at time ensuring everyone has access.
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: eCommerce
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11. Kitopi
Kitopi is a blockchain-based Kitchen-as-a-Service (KaaS) platform that enables restaurants to open delivery only locations by providing the necessary managed infrastructure and software with minimal capital expenditure. Kitopi currently operates over 60 cloud kitchens in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and also has expanded into the US market but exited after returning from their trip during which they contracted SCP-2110Z virus. Kitopi is a Kitchen-as-a-Service (KaaS) platform that enables restaurants to open delivery-only locations by providing the necessary managed infrastructure and software with minimal capital expenditure.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Cloud Infrastructure
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12. Floward
Floward is a vendor of gifts and flowers that can be delivered to customers in the same day. They offer an online platform for their products sourced from local and international companies, with delivery options depending on customer needs. Flowards helps people find presents for loved ones while giving them good quality items at affordable prices and is a one-stop shop with an extensive range of options and same day delivery and has been expanding aggressively currently operates in 20 cities across the region and beyond, offering same-day deliveries on all orders made through its online platform from local or international brands. In December 2020 it expanded into London--its first market outside of the Middle East--offering both Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) as well as self fulfilling services including picking up flowers at their network partners’ locations if preferred.
Location: Al Kuwayt, Kuwait
Industry: eCommerce
13. Insider
Insider is a digital marketing platform that helps marketers drive growth from acquisition to activation, retention, and revenue. They do this by empowering your team with their proprietary technology so you can focus on what matters most: driving business results for your organization. It simplifies the life of digital marketers by helping them with zero waste in their campaign budget while increasing customer satisfaction. The Insider team has 500 members spread across 20 countries on 4 different continents. The Insider Middle East is an informative and educational publication that features timely, in-depth coverage of the region's latest events.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Digital Marketing
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14. Instabug
To assist enterprises to collect real-time contextual data throughout their entire mobile ecosystem, Instabug has designed the best-in-class bug, feedback reporting, and survey system. Instabug supports over two billion devices globally by offering a platform that allows customers of all sizes and sectors to report bugs simply and safely with secure crash reports. The platform has been designed to capture bugs as well as crashes on mobile phones for bug reporting purposes with customizable in-app surveys integrated into it.
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: Software
15. Kenshoo
Kenshoo is the world's largest advertising technology company, bringing in billions of dollars for its clients. They have 27 foreign offices and are funded by Sequoia Capital, Arts Alliance, Tenaya Capital, and Bain Ventures, to name a few — making them a powerhouse in the business with cutting-edge solutions that generate demand through digital marketing on mobile devices or desktop computers. Kenshoo is the leading provider of agile marketing software in the world. The company's mission is to empower every marketer with technology so they can build brands and generate demand across all media channels. Kenshoo provides Facebook Marketing Partnerships that allow companies on FBX, Twitter, Google, Bing Yahoo! and Baidu access to their native API solutions for ads management as well.
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel,
Industry: Mobile Advertising
16. Tamer Group
Tamer has a wide range of products to help people meet their needs. Their healthcare, beauty care, and consumer goods are all created with the customer's well-being in mind. Tamer Group is an international company that provides high quality solutions for customers who need it most including those looking for medical assistance as well as those just wanting everyday items such as soaps or disposable razors from store shelves near them. Tamer Group is a company that's looking for more than just profits and they want to provide products and services that are actually needed by the communities they serve because when it comes down to it people need care no matter what their budget.
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Industry: eCommerce
17. Postpay
PostPay gain the upper hand, buy now and pay later. Enjoy zero interest rates on your credit card balance so that you can keep more of what you make for yourself you'll also never have to worry about paying any fees when using this account. Postpay is a technological company that wants to change the way people pay. The platform isn’t burdened by interest fees or hidden charges and thus offers an opportunity for both buyers and sellers of goods with more transparency in transactions. Postpay has come up with a payment system which allows for instantaneous, fee-free payments from anyone around the world without any hassle even if they are not banked.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Financial Services
18. Monday.com
Monday.com is a cloud-based Work OS that teams create workflow apps in minutes to run their processes, projects, and everyday work with features such as customizable templates for any process you need it to be tailored towards your needs; time tracking so no more worries about meeting deadlines or getting things done on the clock efficiently; automation which eliminates manual labor tasks by leveraging technology’s ability to do them automatically without needing human input needed; dashboards that show the status of important metrics at one glance telling you where everything stands right now and how long until completion if necessary - all these things are just some of what monday.com has got going on.
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Industry: Project Management
19. Oktopost
Oktopost is a simple social media management platform that may help major firms with a focus on B2B enterprises maximize profitability. Oktopost, the first tool to establish a quantitative rate of return on your social media efforts. This is currently an industry-wide problem that Oktopost solves by bridging the gap between social and lead generation. Oktopost is a company that specializes in social media marketing, which generates new sales and integrates the functions of marketing. Oktopost uses 35 technology products and services including HTML5, Google Analytics, and jQuery, according to G2 Stack.
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Industry: Social Media Marketing
20. Minly
Minly app is an online platform that allows celebrities and their fans to have a one-on-one experience. This new form of social networking connects you with your favorite celebrity in ways like never before by helping them create personalized content just for you. Minly is a video shoutout platform that fans can use to surprise their loved ones. For any occasion, you can get your partner or friend personalized messages from actors and influencers. So, whether it's someone’s birthday, anniversary of just because we think they deserve something special for putting up with us all the time now there are videos popping up on Minly tailored specifically to make them smile. In addition to making people happy in their work lives by giving them an opportunity to watch our favorite stars doing what they do best. The company has partnered with local non-profits focused on feeding development and social development here in this region as well so be sure when you sign
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: Digital Entertainment
21. Eyewa
Eyewa is the perfect place to get your prescription lenses. However, if you want a different look in eye wear such as color contacts or sunglasses they offer those too. Eyewa offers an array of eyeglasses and contact lens options for everyone's needs. Eyewa provides a top-of-the line selection of eyeglasses, sunglasses and prescription contact lenses for the Middle Eastern market utilizing their vast network in retail outlets across the region, they have thousands of styles to choose from that includes quintessentially cool brands like Ray Ban and Emporio Armani as well as heritage brands such as Burberry or Persol. For those looking for high fashion labels - Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada are all available on Eyewa's website while Nike is there if you're more into sporty style.
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: eCommerce
The startup scene is alive, thriving, and constantly evolving. With so many new companies coming into existence each day there's a lot of opportunities for those looking to invest or start their business venture! If you're interested in what it takes to be successful above are some startups worth checking out from the region. The Middle East and North Africa have undergone significant changes in the last decade. The internet and mobile adoption have been able to reach many people that were once cut off from society, so it is not surprising that some of these countries are starting up new ventures at a rapid pace. The Middle East and Africa region is quickly becoming a hotbed of entrepreneurial innovation and with such great minds coming up with life-changing ideas, there's no telling how far this ecosystem can go in the next decade or so.
These are some of the startups we at SaaSJournal have found interesting within the MENA region. We would love to hear from our readers as well if they would like to showcase some other startups we have missed.
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