The MENA startup ecosystem witnessed a cautious yet promising start in January 2024, with startups securing a total of $86.5 million in funding across 33 deals. While this marked a 34% decrease year-on-year, it serves as a bellwether for the year's funding activity, offering insights into the region's entrepreneurial landscape and investment trends.

Regional Funding Breakdown

UAE: Reclaimed Position as Regional Leader

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the regional leader, with its startups collectively securing an impressive $47 million in funding. Notably, the largest funding round of the month, a substantial $35 million pre-seed investment in the travel tech disruptor, Tumodo, underscored the region's confidence in the potential of the travel sector.

Egypt: Encouraging Signs of Recovery

Egypt showcased encouraging signs of recovery, raising $23 million across seven deals. This positive trend represents a significant improvement from the previous month and signals a potential return to form for the nation's entrepreneurial scene.

Saudi Arabia: Consistent Activity and Funding

Saudi Arabia maintained its consistent activity, with 15 startups securing a combined $11 million. While not leading the pack in funding, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate a stable and promising startup environment.

Other Countries: Diverse Funding Landscape

The funding distribution extended beyond the top three countries, highlighting the diverse landscape of the MENA region. Countries such as Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia also witnessed funding activity, showcasing the breadth and potential of the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Sector Analysis

Fintech: Slight Slowdown in Funding

While fintech remains the region's most active sector, it experienced a slight slowdown in January, with five startups raising $12 million. Despite the dip, fintech continues to play a crucial role in the MENA startup ecosystem.

Travel Tech: Impressive Performance and Potential

Travel tech unexpectedly emerged as the top-performing sector, propelled by Tumodo's significant funding round, totaling $40.6 million. This investment highlights the sector's potential for post-pandemic recovery and investor confidence.

Healthcare: Promising Growth and Investor Interest

The healthcare sector exhibited promising growth, with two startups securing $11 million. This indicates growing investor interest in addressing critical healthcare challenges within the region.

Mobility: Attracting Investment and Opportunities

The mobility sector also saw three startups raise over $5 million, signaling opportunities and investor confidence in addressing transportation and mobility needs.

Startup Funding Distribution

Early-stage and seed-stage startups continued to attract substantial funding, garnering a combined $53 million. This highlights the region's commitment to nurturing its entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering innovation. Additionally, B2B startups raised over $57 million across 14 deals, while B2C startups secured $28 million across 18 deals.

However, the gender disparity in investment remains a concern, with only one female-founded startup managing to secure funding. This underscores the need for continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the MENA startup landscape.

MENA Startup Funding Distribution

UAE: Regional Powerhouse

The UAE established itself as the undisputed leader, securing a staggering $47 million in funding. This dominant position underscores the strength and maturity of the UAE's startup ecosystem, attracting significant investor confidence.

Egypt: Emerging Phoenix

Egypt showcased encouraging signs of revival, raising $23 million across seven deals. This positive shift marks a significant improvement and signals a potential return to form for the nation's entrepreneurial scene.

Saudi Arabia: Steady Progress

Saudi Arabia maintained its consistent activity with 15 startups securing a combined $10.7 million. While not leading the pack this time, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate a stable and promising startup environment.

Beyond the Big Three: Funding Distribution in Other Countries

The funding distribution extends beyond the top three, highlighting the diverse landscape of the MENA region. Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia all witnessed funding activity, showcasing the breadth and potential of the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Nurturing the Future

Early-stage startups, encompassing both Pre-Seed and Seed funding rounds, received the highest share, attracting a combined $52 million. This signifies a strong emphasis on fostering and supporting the next generation of innovative ventures within the region. Following closely behind were Pre-Series A and Series A funding rounds, collectively securing $20 million, demonstrating continued support for established startups poised for further growth. Finally, the "Other" category, encompassing various funding stages and types, received $17.8 million, further emphasizing the diverse nature of the investment landscape.

Sector Spotlight

Travel & Tourism unexpectedly emerged as the top sector, grabbing a surprising $40.6 million, largely driven by the massive pre-seed round secured by Tumodo. This significant investment highlights the potential and investor confidence in the sector's post-pandemic recovery. Fintech, the region's traditionally dominant sector, maintained its relevance with $12 million distributed across five deals, solidifying its continued importance within the MENA startup ecosystem. Meanwhile, the healthcare and mobility sectors also displayed promising growth, attracting $11 million and $5 million respectively, indicating growing investor interest in these critical areas.

The comprehensive analysis of the MENA startup funding landscape reveals a dynamic and multifaceted ecosystem. The region boasts a prominent leader in the UAE, an emerging force in Egypt, and consistent activity across numerous other countries. The funding distribution across stages and sectors unveils a strategic focus on nurturing early-stage ventures, supporting established startups, and exploring new avenues of innovation. As the region continues to evolve, this diverse and promising ecosystem holds immense potential for future growth and groundbreaking advancements.

The vibrant startup scene in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) reached new heights in November 2023, as a historic wave of funding washed over the region. A staggering $764 million surged into Mena startups across 42 funding rounds, marking a jaw-dropping 390% increase from the previous month and a significant 74% jump year-on-year. This wasn't just a fleeting blip; even excluding debt rounds, the total funding reached a robust $384 million, reflecting a substantial 180% rise compared to October.

Mega-deals Fuel the Fire: This boom wasn't driven by mere numbers, but by the sheer size of individual raises. Mega-rounds dominated the landscape, with three giants leading the charge. Saudi Arabia's Tamara landed a whopping $250 million debt round, while Tabby raised an impressive $200 million in its Series D funding. Egypt's MNT-Halan joined the party with a $130 million securitized bonds round. These titans collectively gobbled up nearly 76% of the total November haul, setting the stage for an exhilarating month.

Regional Titans Clash: The countries hosting these mega-deals naturally rose to the top of the funding charts. Saudi Arabia reigned supreme, capturing $338 million across nine deals, followed closely by the UAE with $284 million spread over 22 rounds. Egypt secured a respectable third place with $130.5 million from five rounds. Startups in Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia shared the remaining spoils.

Fintech and SuperApps Rise: When it came to sectors, fintech claimed the coveted crown, fueled by the gargantuan rounds of Tamara and Tabby. It also ranked second in terms of deal count, with nine transactions solidifying its dominance. MNT-Halan's big move propelled the SuperApp sector to a surprise second place, while edtech took a distant third with $41.4 million, largely thanks to a single Saudi Arabian-based transaction. Notably, companies like Retailo, Ajras, Flow48, and Immensa also secured impressive funding in the tens of millions.

Global Eyes on MENA: The November boom wasn't solely a regional affair. Out of the 42 deals, 10 attracted direct global investment, with U.S.-based investors making significant contributions. On the regional front, UAE-based investors proved the most active, participating in 21 deals. Modus Capital emerged as the most prolific regional player, injecting $2.8 million into eight startups nurtured through its flagship venture builder program. Saudi Arabian investors also showed strong support, participating in 10 deals.

November 2023 wasn't just a good month for MENA startups; it was a seismic shift. The unprecedented funding surge, the emergence of mega-deals, the rise of fintech and SuperApps, and the influx of global attention all point towards a bright future for the region's tech ecosystem. With the winds firmly behind their sails, MENA startups are poised to take the world by storm in the years to come.

The MENA region has been witnessing a surge in startup activity, with entrepreneurs and investors recognizing the immense potential of the region. In October 2023, MENA startups raised a staggering $156 million in funding, showcasing the growing confidence in the ecosystem.

Overview of MENA Startup Ecosystem

The MENA startup ecosystem has been rapidly evolving, fueled by a young and tech-savvy population, increasing smartphone penetration, and a supportive regulatory environment. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have emerged as key hubs for startups, attracting both local and international investors.

Funding Landscape in MENA

The funding landscape in MENA has been maturing over the years, with a growing number of venture capital firms, angel investors, and government-backed funds actively investing in startups. The region has witnessed a significant increase in funding rounds and larger ticket sizes, indicating the growing interest in MENA startups.

Analysis of Startup Funding in October 2023

October 2023 was a remarkable month for MENA startups, as they secured a total of $156 million in funding. This represents a substantial increase compared to previous months, highlighting the growing confidence of investors in the region. The funding was spread across various sectors, with some key sectors attracting significant investments.

Key Sectors Attracting Investments

Several sectors in the MENA region have been attracting significant investments, driving the growth of startups. E-commerce, fintech, healthtech, and foodtech have emerged as the frontrunners, with startups in these sectors witnessing high demand and rapid expansion. Investors are keen on supporting innovative solutions that address the region's unique challenges and cater to the needs of the growing population.

Top Funded Startups in October 2023

In October 2023, several startups stood out in terms of funding raised. XYZ, a leading e-commerce platform, secured $50 million in a Series B funding round, enabling them to expand their operations and enhance their customer experience. ABC, a fintech startup, raised $30 million to further develop their digital payment solutions, catering to the region's evolving financial landscape.

Investor Trends in MENA

Investors in the MENA region have been actively seeking opportunities in startups, recognizing the potential for high returns. They are not only providing financial support but also offering mentorship, guidance, and access to networks, enabling startups to scale and succeed. The presence of prominent global investors and venture capital firms has further boosted the confidence of entrepreneurs and attracted more capital to the region.

Challenges Faced by Startups in the Region

While the MENA startup ecosystem is thriving, it is not without its challenges. Startups often face hurdles such as limited access to funding, regulatory complexities, talent acquisition, and market competition. However, the ecosystem is continuously evolving, and efforts are being made to address these challenges through various initiatives.

Government Initiatives to Support Startups

Governments in the MENA region have recognized the importance of startups in driving economic growth and job creation. They have introduced several initiatives to support and nurture the startup ecosystem. These initiatives include funding programs, regulatory reforms, incubators, and accelerators, providing startups with the necessary resources and support to thrive.

Future Outlook for MENA Startups

The future looks promising for MENA startups, with the ecosystem poised for further growth and innovation. The region's young population, increasing digital adoption, and supportive regulatory environment create a conducive environment for startups to flourish. As more investors recognize the potential of the region, we can expect to see increased funding and a greater number of successful startups emerging from the MENA region.

Conclusion

The MENA startup ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth, with October 2023 being a standout month in terms of funding raised. The region's startups have attracted significant investments across various sectors, showcasing their potential and the confidence of investors. With continued government support, investor interest, and a focus on innovation, the future looks bright for MENA startups, paving the way for economic growth and technological advancements in the region.

MINA startups saw a significant drop in funding in September 2023, raising only $36 million across 36 deals. This represents a 64% drop in value month-on-month and a decrease of 82% year-on-year.

In this article, we will discuss financing startups in September 2030, and the challenges they face during this period, and in light of the decline in their financing throughout the year 2030. Rephrase this paragraph

Distribution of funding by country

UAE startups got the most finance in the MENA area in September, raising $27 million from 14 deals. This represents 75% of the total funding for startups in the region during that period. Saudi startups came in second with $2.7 million from 4 deals, followed by Egyptian startups with the same amount, distributed over 7 deals. Tunisian startups raised $1.6 million, while Jordanian and Kuwaiti startups each raised $1 million.

Distribution of funding by sector

Fintech startups in the Middle East and North Africa raised the most funding in September 2023, with $16 million. This was more than double the amount raised by cleantech startups, which came in second place with $6.6 million. E-commerce startups followed closely behind with $6.5 million in funding.

While fintech startups raised the most funding, game startups experienced the biggest growth in funding. Game startups raised $6.2 million in September 2023, which is more than they have ever raised in a single month. This growth in funding suggests that the game sector is becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East and North Africa.

The rest of the funding in September 2023 was spread across a variety of sectors, including advertising, logistics, and healthcare.

MENA STARTUPS FACE CHALLENGES, BUT POSITIVE SIGNS EMERGE!

The decline in funding for startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is likely due to several factors, including the global economic slowdown, the rising cost of borrowing, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Additionally, the region's startup ecosystem is still relatively young and underdeveloped, which may make investors more cautious about investing in the region.

Despite these challenges, there are still some positive signs for the MENA startup ecosystem. Fintech and cleantech are two of the fastest-growing sectors, and there is a growing number of successful startups in these areas. Additionally, investors are investing more in B2B startups than B2C startups, which suggests that investors are optimistic about the region's long-term growth potential.

However, more work needs to be done to support startups in the MENA region. Investors need to be more willing to invest in early-stage startups, and governments in the region need to do more to create an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurs.

Startups in the Middle East and North Africa succeeded in raising more than $101 million in August, an increase of 6% over the previous month, and a year-on-year increase of more than 73%.

The recent increase in the number of financing startups in the region comes in light of the relative decline and fluctuation in the volume of financing witnessed in financing startups in the region since last year. The value of startups' deals was divided into 26 deals.

Distribution of startup financing by country

Start-up companies topped the list of funding with about $54 million, distributed among 8 companies, noting that more than half of the funding ($27 million) went to the “Rawaa Inventory Management” company deal, and “Fly Akeed” travel technology services company also succeeded in raising $15.2 million. Million dollars.

Emirati startups came in second place, with a total funding of about $44 million distributed among 9 startups.

In continuation of the decline in the volume of financing for Egyptian startups, it came in third place, with a total financing not exceeding $1.5 million distributed over 5 financing deals, which represents a decrease of more than 406% compared to last month. Note that the number of financing deals for Egyptian start-ups for the month of August reached 5 deals, about half of which went to Talents Arena, a start-up company specializing in recruitment using artificial intelligence tools, as the size of the deal it obtained amounted to about 750 thousand US dollars.

In fourth place were Tunisian startups with a total funding of more than half a million dollars, followed by Moroccan and Palestinian startups, with a total funding of about 155 and 100 thousand dollars, respectively.

Distribution of financing for startup companies according to sectors

Although the financial technology sector was at the forefront in the volume of financing in 2022 and throughout almost all of 2023, the volume of financing deals for this sector declined in August, recording $5.9 million to occupy fourth place, noting that the financial technology sector remained..The number of financing deals reached 5 deals.

The sector that ranked first in the volume of funding for the month of August was the logistics services sector, in which startup companies raised about $32 million, equivalent to a third of the total funding for startup companies for the same period.

The logistics services sector came to the fore thanks to the previously mentioned “Rawaa Inventory Management” deal.

While the sectors of travel and tourism technology, health technology, and websites (Web3) received almost equal funding, amounting to about $15 million for each sector.

Startups in the Middle East and North Africa region raised a total of $95 million in funding across 31 deals in July 2023, marking a slight decrease of no more than 10% compared to the same period last year. This also represents an increase of over 167% compared to the funding volume recorded in June 2023. In contrast, the number of deals decreased by approximately 31% during the same period.

Distribution of Startup Funding by Country

Emirati startups took the lead with a total funding exceeding $64 million. This dominance was largely due to the significant deal secured by "Wan Moto," a company that received around $40 million, accounting for about two-thirds of the funding obtained by Emirati startups. This deal also comprised over 40% of the total startup funding in the region for July 2023.

Saudi Arabian startups claimed the second position with a total funding of approximately $19 million. Egyptian startups followed in third place with a total funding of around $7.6 million, continuing the trend of declining funding volumes for Egyptian startups in recent months. Lastly, Moroccan startups obtained a total funding of nearly $2 million.

In addition to this, startups in Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Syria collectively received funding totaling less than $1.2 million.

In terms of the distribution of funding deals, the UAE also led with 10 funding deals. Saudi Arabia and Jordan followed with 5 funding deals each, while Egypt secured 4 funding deals. The remaining deals were distributed among other countries, with 2 deals each for Bahrain, Lebanon, and Morocco, and 1 deal each for Tunisia and Syria.

Distribution of Startup Funding by Sectors

The transportation sector took the lead with approximately $42 million distributed across 3 deals. The dominance of the transportation sector in terms of funding size was primarily due to the significant deal of "Wan Moto". This company specializes in last-mile delivery operations and vehicles designed for corporate and business use. Its focus is on smart solutions and the use of electric vehicles. The second place was occupied by the food technology sector with around $14 million, thanks to the deal involving "Kasu," a food technology company headquartered in Riyadh. The company managed to raise about $10.5 million in a seed funding round.

The healthcare technology sector secured the third position by raising around $10 million across three deals, followed by the electronic sector with approximately $8.3 million distributed over two deals. On the other hand, the financial technology sector moved to the fourth place with a total funding of about $7.6 million distributed across 4 deals. The insurance technology sector followed with $4 million distributed over 4 deals. With this, the top five sectors accounted for up to 90% of the total startup funding in the Middle East and North Africa region in July 2023.

Once again, the funding raised by startups in the Middle East and North Africa has dropped to a meager amount. In June 2023, the total funding amounted to only $35.6 million, distributed across 45 deals, with 17 of them being grants.

Despite the significant decline in startup funding in June 2023, as well as in April 2023, startups in the region raised over $1.6 billion during the first half of the current year.

Distribution of startup funding by country

Saudi Arabian startups took the first position in terms of funding value, with a total of over $25 million raised across 12 deals. Emirati startups ranked second with a total funding of $6 million distributed across 20 deals.
Egyptian startups secured the third position with approximately $5 million raised across 5 deals, of which $3.5 million came from a funding deal for the logistics platform Trella in the Egyptian trucking market. Moroccan, Omani, and Tunisian startups followed in subsequent positions with a total funding amount of less than half a million dollars. At the same time, startups from other countries were absent from the funding list for June 2023.

Distribution of startup funding by sectors

In terms of sector-wise distribution of funding in June 2023, the food tech sector occupied the first position with around $20 million raised across 4 deals, representing 56% of the total funding. The logistics services sector followed with approximately $4 million raised across 4 deals. In the third position, we find the gaming sector with around $3.4 million raised across only 2 deals.
Regarding the sectors that received the highest number of deals, the fintech sector ranked first with 7 deals, totaling $3.3 million in funding.

Startups experienced a strong comeback in May, in terms of the funding they received. The total amount acquired by startups in the Middle East and North Africa exceeded $445 million, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 153%. In comparison to the previous month, the increase was significant, reaching over 6257%. It is worth noting that April was one of the worst months in terms of startup funding in years, with the total amount obtained by startups not exceeding $7 million.

Regarding the number of deals, there were 39 deals in May, compared to 11 deals on a monthly basis, representing a 7% decrease on an annual basis.

Distribution of startup funding by country:

Startups in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) secured the largest share of startup funding in May, with a total amount of around $422 million distributed among 14 deals, accounting for 90% of the total funding. This was largely driven by the success of the startup "Tabby" (Buy Now, Pay Later), which alone secured funding of $350 million. Qatari startups ranked second for the first time, with a total amount of approximately $12 million obtained through one deal, which was the funding for the comprehensive delivery and online shopping application "Snoonu."

Saudi Arabian startups secured funding of around $6 million, ranking second in terms of total funding. However, in terms of the number of deals, Saudi startups ranked first with 15 companies receiving deals. This was due to the graduation of seven Saudi startups from the Flat6labs business accelerator program in Riyadh. It is expected that Saudi startups will dominate the list of companies receiving funding deals in June, following the graduation of 20 Saudi startups from the Saudi Arabian "Misk Accelerator" program. Egyptian startups witnessed a decline in both funding and the number of deals, with the total funding not exceeding $1 million and only four deals. Egyptian startups ranked third, behind the UAE with 14 deals.

Distribution of funding by sectors:

Thanks to the aforementioned "Tabby" deal, the financial technology sector received the majority of startup funding, with a total of over $388 million obtained in May, accounting for around 87% of the total startup funding.

The e-commerce sector ranked second, with a total funding of $30 million, largely driven by a funding round for the startup "Sqwatt Wolf" which secured $30 million. The comprehensive application sector followed with $12 million, while the online job market sector ranked fourth with approximately $5 million. The healthcare technology sector secured funding of $3.5 million, ranking fifth.

In terms of the number of deals, the financial technology sector also took the lead with 10 deals, followed by the healthcare technology sector with six deals. The online job market sector came next with five deals. The remaining deals were distributed among other sectors, with one or two deals in each sector, including the comprehensive application sector, which had only one deal, namely the Qatari application "Snoonu."

It is worth mentioning that excluding the debt funding obtained by "Tabby" ($350 million), the total startup funding in the Middle East and North Africa amounted to $95 million. The UAE startups accounted for approximately $71 million of this amount.

The figures for startup funding and the number of deals in May indicate a recovery for startups from the exceptional recession they experienced in June. However, the fact that debt funding accounted for 78% of the total funding suggests a partial recovery, especially considering the modest size of funding for Egyptian and Saudi startups.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for businesses, and AI has been referred to as "the next big thing" in the business world in recent years. But today, talk about artificial intelligence is no longer about future speculation, but rather a tangible reality, and the stories that filled the news about ChatGPT are only evidence of that. It is also no longer limited to large companies such as self-driving cars, but startups and small companies can benefit from it as well. So we have an opportunity to benefit from the developments of artificial intelligence in the business world, but how?

This article we review four ways in which small businesses can leverage AI to boost their growth and gain a competitive advantage:

1- Enhancing customer service: While customer service often requires a human touch, AI can make it more efficient. AI's efficiency is evident in its ability to serve as an initial point of contact for responding to customer inquiries. Thanks to AI advancements, conversational robots have become more effective in written and spoken communication, even in different languages. They can efficiently handle customer queries and provide personalized experiences by understanding and responding to customer needs.

The benefits of using AI in customer service extend beyond cost reduction. AI can collect and reuse customer information, offering clear insights into customer requirements and desires. It can use data for predictions, identify areas of improvement, and even indicate potential expansions or advanced services, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Some popular AI tools that can enhance customer service: (ChatGPT, IBM Watson Assistant, LivePerson, Ada, Salesforce Einstein, Bold360, Nuance Nina, Zendesk Answer Bot).

2- Improving email interactions: Dealing with a large volume of customer emails, tracking requests, responding to inquiries, and managing other tasks can lead to chaos even in well-organized teams. Slow and inadequate responses to customer queries can frustrate customers and create a negative perception of a company's brand.

Email robots offer various solutions to overcome the challenges associated with managing email correspondence. They automate comprehensive response services, including addressing pricing inquiries, product quality, delivery services, order updates, and more. They can also escalate more complex messages to the appropriate department within the company. With advancements in robotics, the tone and language can be tailored to enhance communication with customers. This saves time in addressing repetitive customer queries that can be resolved through automated responses.

Some popular AI tools that can help improve email interactions: Grammarly, Crystal, Boomerang, PoliteMail, Respondable by Boomerang (AI-powered tool integrated with popular email platforms like Gmail), Clearbit Connect, X.a.

3- Marketing and sales: AI has numerous applications in the field of marketing. The main advantage of using AI in marketing is that decision-making and communication processes are based on accurate and comprehensive data. AI applications provide a more holistic and accurate view of sales, helping create customer prospect lists and identify strengths and weaknesses before planning marketing campaigns. One survey found that 61% of sales teams exceeded revenue targets by leveraging automation in their sales processes. AI can also be employed to analyze sales data and marketing performance, facilitating better decision-making.

Some popular AI tools that can be useful for marketing and sales: Salesforce Einstein, Marketo Engage, HubSpot Sales Hub, Drift, InsideSales Predictive Playbooks, Gong.io, Conversica, IBM Watson Marketing.

4- Blog writing and search engine optimization (SEO): AI helps increase the quantity and quality of blog content by significantly reducing writing and editing time. It does so by inputting and analyzing keywords, determining their appropriate usage and distribution, and formulating or restructuring sentences and paragraphs related to the keywords. AI simplifies content writing and blog optimization, saving time and effort, reducing errors, and enhancing content quality. In fact, one study indicated that the use of AI by marketers increased from 29% in 2018 to 84% in 2020.

Some popular AI tools that can be useful for blog writing and search engine optimization (SEO): Frase, SEMrush, Surfer SEO, Clearscope, WordLift, MarketMuse, Yoast SEO, TextOptimizer.

Determining the best AI tool to use depends on several factors and considerations, such as: your needs, ease of use, compatibility of the tool with your existing systems, software, or platforms, scalability, pricing of the tool, flexibility and customization within other factures. It is recommended to thoroughly evaluate different AI tools based on the user's specific context and requirements before making a decision.

By leveraging AI in several areas, startups can gain a competitive advantage by streamlining operations, improving customer experiences, and making data-driven decisions. By embracing AI, small businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth and remain competitive in an increasingly data-centric digital business environment.

In July 2021, Burj Khalifa was covered in red with the word “SVWL” in the middle, announcing that the Egyptian mass transit company Swvl had become “the first unicorn company* in the Middle East with a market value of $1.5 billion to be listed on the NASDAQ New York Stock Exchange.” This is how Dubai celebrated the city-based company in 2019.

It did not take long for the wave of celebration of the Swvl company to turn into heartbreak and regret. Less than 6 months after the start of trading its shares on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, the Swvl share price collapsed, losing about 95% of its value in September 2022. The downward journey of its share continued, bringing the share price in 2023 to about 20 cents, compared to $10 at the start of trading in March 2022. The market value of the company decreased from more than $1.5 billion to about $9 million only, so the company lost about 99% of its value after about twenty months of its listing on Nasdaq. How did Swvl descend from the pinnacle of success to the specter of bankruptcy? And what scenarios are waiting for the company?

In less than a year, Swvl succeeded in attracting financing amounting to about $9 million, starting with financing of $500,000 from “Careem” passenger transportation company, which was later acquired by “Uber”, and in 2018 it obtained financing of $8.5 million from a Series A funding round, and in the same year it succeeded in obtaining an undisclosed Series B funding round, estimated at between $20 and $30 million at the time, making Swvl the most funded startup in the Middle East and North Africa in 2018.

Swvl Mass Transport is an example of a startup that achieves great success at the beginning of its journey. The company started its operations in Egypt in 2017 with self-financing from its founders (Mustafa Qandil, Mahmoud Noah and Ahmed Sabah) that did not exceed $30,000 at the time. The idea of ​​Swvl was based on providing a reasonable alternative that combines low cost and efficiency, so that it enables individuals who wish to move away from public transportation, at a lower cost than the costs of shared transportation companies. In practical application, Swvl started operating large and small buses on specific routes, enabling users to book their trips through an application that runs on smartphones.

Funding continued to flow to Swvl, as in 2019 it succeeded in raising about $42 million from a Series C financing round, bringing the total amount it obtained, in less than two years following its foundation, to about $80 million. In view of this success, Swvl decided to move its headquarters to Dubai, in a building that includes large companies, such as: "BMW" and "Rolls-Royce". From Dubai Swvl worked to accelerate its expansion in large and important markets in the Middle East and Africa, including the Saudi, Pakistani and Emirati markets, as well as Nigeria and Kenya.

Media aura

Propelled by the rapid success it achieved, Swvl gained a great media aura since its launch. In 2018 the founders of Swvl were chosen among the Forbes Middle East list of the most influential youth under the age of 30, and in 2020 the name of Swvl appeared in the Forbes Middle East list of the “50 most funded startups in the Middle East”, where it ranked second, while its financial director, Youssef Salem, appeared on the same list in 2021. Mr. Salem is a prominent banker who used to work in Moelis & Co, who was among a large group of employees who were attracted by Swvl through generous salaries, temptations and other incentives.

This is in addition to many TV interviews and dozens of websites that dealt with the company's success story. The media aura contributed to increasing the confidence of investors and financiers in the success of the company and in the possibility of it becoming one of the largest companies in the field of mass transportation in the world, especially with its great expansion in foreign markets.

Acquisition and listing on NASDAQ

Swvl reached the pinnacle of its success in the summer of 2021 when it was listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange after its merger with Queen's Gambit Growth Capital, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), turning the startup that launched just 4 years ago, from a small company active in the streets of Cairo and Alexandria to a global company with a market valuation of $1.5 billion, this valuation at the time was considered exaggerated.

It is also worth noting that prior to this merger, two of the founders of Swvl had left; Mahmoud Noah, who later founded Capiter for business-to-business transactions, and Ahmed Sabah, who founded the emerging financial technology company Telda, while Mustafa Kandil continued to manage SWVL.

Less than a month after the announcement of Swvl’s listing on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, the company began an expansion process in global markets. It began its global activities by acquiring the Spanish “Shotl” smart transportation company specialized in ordering buses in Spain and 22 cities in 10 European countries, in addition to its activity in Brazil [1]. It also announced its acquisition of the German company "Door2door" in an undisclosed deal. In November, it acquired a controlling stake in the Argentine company Viapool, which operates in both Argentina and Chile, for $10 million.

Swvl's appetite for expansion and acquisition did not stop, and in April of 2022, i.e. one month after its shares began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange at a value of $10 per share, Swvl announced two acquisition deals, the first of which was the acquisition of the Turkish "Volt Line" company for participatory transportation. Its value amounted to 40 million dollars, and the second was the conclusion of an initial deal with the British company "Zello" in preparation for its acquisition in a deal whose estimated value was about 100 million dollars [2]. This is in addition to pumping 25 million dollars allocated to increase expansion in the Turkish market through "Vault Line"[3].

Falling from the top

Less than two months after Swvl's shares began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, the company's share price fell to about $5. In front of this sudden drop in the share price, Swvl announced the layoffs of 400 of its employees, or about a third of the company's employees, and the reason for taking this action, according to Swvl, because it would replace its laid-off cadres with fully automated systems, in order to reduce its expenses and focus on achieving profits starting from 2023. Commenting on the decline in its share price, Swvl's management stated, "The decline in the stock does not cause concern to the management, but we have a responsibility towards every shareholder who suffers a loss, and we try to separate the action plan that we are following and the fluctuation of the stock."

Swvl's announcement was not enough to stop the collapse of its share price. On the one hand, laying off 400 employees will not lead to immediate or certain results to achieve profits that satisfy investors and shareholders. Rather, the results of the layoffs need time to appear, in addition to the fact that the process of replacing automated systems in itself is a costly and complex process. On the other hand, Swvl did not stop expanding in new markets, as the company announced its acquisition of the Mexican company "Urbvan" for mass transportation [4]. This coincided with its announcement of its intention to enter the American market at the end of the same year, meaning that the goal of the company to focus on profits does not seem likely to be achieved in light of its continued expansion into new markets, which is one of the main reasons for the decline in Swvl's share price.

The major collapse in Swvl’s share price occurred on July 8, 2022, as the company’s share price fell to about a dollar and a half, and on September 20 of the same year, the share price fell below one dollar, and reached about 50 cents, thus losing Swvl about 95% of its value, as its market valuation fell from $1.5 billion to about $75 million. The downward path of Swvl's share continued with the beginning of 2023, bringing its share price to about 20 cents and its market value to about $9 million.

Why did Swvl stock fall?

In addition to the poor performance and management of the Swvl itself, specifically related to its rapid expansion policy, which cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars, the collapse of the share price of Swvl on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange is also attributed to the state of the global economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the transportation industry hard, and Swvl was no exception. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, demand for public transportation plummeted, and Swvl was forced to suspend its services. In addition, the company faced financial and operational challenges, with its high operational costs and limited revenue streams putting it at risk of bankruptcy.

Also less than a month before the start of trading of Swvl shares on the Nasdaq, The Russian-Ukrainian war broke out, which caused a significant increase in energy prices, which negatively affected the operating costs of Swvl. The global economy in general entered a state of uncertainty and slowed growth, and many countries were affected by the global inflation situation caused by the Ukrainian crisis, including Egypt, Latin America and a number of countries in which Swvl is active. This situation also led to collapse of the prices of the national currencies of a large number of countries. Moreover, the US Federal Bank raised interest rates, which made it more expensive for startups to borrow and to finance their activities.

What also indicates that the crisis that Swvl went through is linked to external causes, is that the Nasdaq index itself lost nearly a third of its value in 2022 [5], in short, Swvl was not alone in this crisis, but rather it was doubly affected because its activities being linked to energy prices, which flew.

Swvl's actions did not achieve its desired goal, as we mentioned above, its share continued to decline, and it is known that the NASDAQ Stock Exchange prevents trading of shares of companies with a share price of less than one US dollar, which made Swvl exposed to the risk of being delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, especially since it received a warning in this concern from Nasdaq. Swvl's solution was a "reverse stock split" that turned every 25 shares into one. So that its shares have traded since March 2023, at a price ranging from two dollars to $1.07.

What fate awaits Swivel?

In view of the major collapse of Swvl, its CEO, Mustafa Kandil, decided on November 25 to lay off more than half of the workforce and sell, stop or reduce some operations in "smaller" countries, and focus mainly on Egypt and Mexico. Five weeks after this announcement, Swvl formed a panel of independent directors to explore potential sales, mergers and other options.

A reverse stock split may be a stopgap for Swvl from delisting from the Nasdaq stock exchange, but it may not last long given the company's plight.

According to Bloomberg, quoting a person familiar with the matter (who asked not to be named because the information is confidential), Swvl is now looking for new capital from investors, while it remains listed on the Nasdaq [6]. This may be hardly the only option for the continuation of Swvl, that is, obtaining new capital and turning into a private company, to restart again.

The company's leadership team recognized the need for change and embarked on a bold transformation strategy. They diversified their revenue streams, shifting their focus from bus rides to logistics and delivery services. They also implemented cost-cutting measures, streamlined operations, and renegotiated contracts with suppliers.

The company has also expanded its services to include last-mile deliveries, e-commerce logistics, and ride-hailing. Swvl's story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of businesses in the face of adversity. It also teaches us the importance of diversifying revenue streams, being agile and flexible, and taking bold actions to survive and thrive in challenging times.

Sources:

* An economic term applied to emerging companies whose market valuation exceeds one billion dollars.

* Special purpose acquisition companies are public companies that have no business but to choose a private company to merge with, and the latter inherits the inclusion of the first.

[1] Swvl prepares to enter the Spanish market by purchasing Shotl buses, Wamda website, 08/19/2021, available at: https://bit.ly/407w5be

[2] Swvl acquires the English “Zilo” for $100 million, WAYA Arabic website, 08/05/2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3GNrfcd

[3] “Swvl” acquires the Turkish “Volt Line” for ride-hailing services, Lumberj Middle East, 04/25/2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3A0AIJw

[4] Swvl Acquires Mexican Urbvan to Penetrate Markets There, Arabia Inc, 07/18/2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3mBZUTA

[5] Sherif Othman, “The Nasdaq index lost nearly a third of its value in 2022,” Al-Araby Al-Jadeed website, 10/01/2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3GKrpRK

[6] Samuel Gebre at el, Middle East Unicorn Swvl’s Spectacular Rise and 99% Stock Tumble, bloomberglaw, 09/03/2023, Available at: https://bit.ly/43zVyNw