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Dubai is the heart of the United Arab Emirates with its increasingly prosperous market of global companies and promising startups. Many can boast about their international success and noteworthy products. This market is very interesting and that’s a good reason to take a closer look at it.
The topic of startups, especially those with technology-based products, is very close to me. Recently, I came across an
interesting report that presented the sum of investments in startups that operate in Dubai. Interestingly, the amount
increases every year. For example, 2017 recorded 84 equity deals for UAE-based tech startups. The next year it reached
110. It appears that the local market creates splendid conditions for development.
I took a closer look at the companies and startups from Dubai that are worth our attention in 2020. I selected 10 that
stand out in terms of product offer, growth progression or financing. They undoubtedly deserve the recognition.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Identity and Access Management, Blockchain
Founded: 2018
About Uqodo: The platform was developed to address the past limitations in the Identity and Access Management space.
It is a digital transformation company with a unique set of products and services that enable the organization to
achieve a seamless and fully digital transformation. This is possible thanks to their thorough understanding of the
Identity and Access Management area.
Uqudo solves the identity dilemma by providing a platform that validates online digital transactions both of national,
cross-border, cross-enterprise nature and those driven/managed/instigated by the end user.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Advertising, Real Estate
Founded: 2007
About Property Finder: it is the UAE’s leading real estate and rental marketplace dedicated to connecting consumers
with their perfect property. Launched in 2007, the propertyfinder.ae domain is owned and operated by The Property Finder
Group, which also owns and operates other real estate portals across the Gulf and the Middle East. Their advertisers are
property professionals, such as estate agents, letting (rental) agents and new homes developers. They have the probably
most popular property mobile app in the region.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Fintech, BNPL
Founded: 2019
About Postpay: the aim of the company is to transform the existing retail status-quo by offering straightforward and
accessible financial products to the customers. They offer one very simple product which allows the customer to split
their online payments into four equal parts, seamlessly, without leaving their online basket. The first instalment is
processed immediately, and the customer receives their products as usual. The three remaining instalments are due
fortnightly (every two weeks) thereafter. Most importantly, the customer pays no interests and additional fees as long
as all payments are made on time.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Transportation
Founded: 2012
About Careem: it is the leading technology platform for the greater part of the Middle East. A pioneer of the
region’s ride-hailing economy, Careem is expanding its services across the platform to include online payments, delivery
and mass transportation. Careem’s mission is to simplify and improve the lives of people and build a lasting
organization that inspires. Established in July 2012, Careem operates in more than 120 cities across 15 countries and
has created over one million job opportunities in the region.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Transportation
Founded: 2012
About Fetchr: Fetchr helps local merchants and global brands build, launch and grow profitable e-commerce businesses
across the Middle East. Their easy-to-use app and logistics platform allows for seamless delivery, eliminating the
common nuisance of annoying phone calls and forwarders asking for directions. With their patented technology, they can
locate and deliver a more reliable service.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Entertainment
Founded: 2014
About STARZPLAY: this company allows you to watch your content anytime, anywhere on an iOS or Android device. It
also supports Mac and Windows browsers, and streams via Apple TV, Chromecast, a PS4 console or directly to Samsung and
LG smart TVs. The service is available on regional IPTV services and is continually adding support for numerous other
gaming and smart devices. It also enables downloads for offline playback.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: E-commerce
Founded: 2005
About Souq: It is the largest e-commerce site in the Arab world. Every month, Souq.com attracts more than 41 million
visits to its catalog of more than 8.5 million unique products in 35 different categories, including, books, automotive,
consumer electronics, household goods, fashion, watches, perfumes, toys, and baby products. Established in 2005,
Souq.com today operates both as an award-winning retail business and an online marketplace that allows SMEs, merchants,
brands and distributors to distribute their products online.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Travel
Founded: 2013
About Holidayme: this online travel portal, under the registered trademark of Traveazy DMCC, has its offices in the
UAE, India and KSA. Created to be an easy-to-use platform that would enable travelers to plan & book a holiday
experience completely online, HolidayMe’s innovative approach gave rise to the first of its kind holiday planning &
booking engine that allows the users to customize, plan and book their entire holiday, online.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: Health Care
Founded: 2008
About Altibbi: It is the no.1 Digital Health Platform in the Arab World. The company provides the tools to access
health advice via its website and apps available 24/7. Altibbi connects millions of users with licensed and certified
doctors in real-time, anywhere, at any time. Altibbi customers can subscribe for an unlimited number of live
consultations with doctors via their “Call Doctor” service on Android and iPhone at a monthly fee.
Location: Dubai
Specialization: International movers, home cleaning
Founded: 2013
About Service market: it is probably one of Dubai’s fastest-growing startups. It is the largest portal in the UAE
that connects residents with professional and licensed moving, insurance and home service companies. Customers can
discover service providers, read verified reviews, book or request quotes for any service they need around the house. To
this moment, they are offering over 35 different home services. They also have an Android and iOS app that allows their
customers to directly book services on their phones whenever it is convenient.
As you can see, the list is impressive. Some of these companies are already well-recognized brands, while others are
just entering the phase of dynamic growth. Truth be told, I have no doubt that the market in Dubai will regularly grow
in strength; it is especially the case for tech startups, which are boldly moving towards becoming unicorns. Fingers
crossed!
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