ICEP 4.0 Startups
ICEP encourages the generation of problem-solvers towards utilizing innovation and disruptive technologies to shape lucrative and sustainable companies that will support the future of a strong digital economy.
Day 01
Startup Pitches [Main Stage]
Nov 1st
Museum of the Future- Dubai
Vatrin
Sector: E-commerce/SaaS
Startup inspiration
During the pandemic, we were approached by small-business owners (offline stores) and Instagram shops because they needed help to sell online. They didn't have a cloud POS nor an online store. So, with our experience running the marketplace we saw a need in creating a platform for these business owners to digitize their businesses as the current cloud platforms such as Shopify and marketplaces are more suited for well-established stores and brands.
Target audience
Vatrin will provide an easy way for small-business owners with little technical know-how to set up a simple website to facilitate online orders, payments and a direct connection to WhatsApp for managing and tracking the final order.
Requirements to grow
Expanding to Egypt
Startup ask
USD 750k
Gamiphy
Sector: Retail-Tech
Startup inspiration
We spotted the need for a retail-growth platform that focuses on the consumer-end of the retail value chain as opposed to the back-office, logistics, fulfilment and other areas. customer loyalty, gamification, and personalization impact sales directly and play a major role in the success of a retail brand in the digital world
Target audience
Online retailers
Requirements to grow
Increase marketing & sales spend
Startup ask
Series-A
HAAT Delivery
Sector: Food delivery
Startup inspiration
The whole inspiration for the startup started when I moved to my hometown in 2018 and realized that ordering food to my home is impossible since there is no street address to my house, can't pay in cash, no digital menus, and poor food delivery solutions.
Target audience
My target audience is everyone who lives in an infrastructure-less city around the world.
Requirements to grow
To hire top talented people from marketing, sales, operation, and tech.
Startup ask
We ask for $10M to extend our activity to other infrastructure-less cities in Africa and around the world.
Kenz
Sector: E-commerce
Startup inspiration
Kenz is a multibrand ecommerce platform selling women's intimatewear, and we founded Kenz in order to empower women to feel more confident and beautiful by shopping from our products.
Target audience
Our target audience are women ages 25-40 who are working or recent mothers looking for intimate-wear products to make their lives easier and more comfortable.
Requirements to grow
We want to expand and dominate our market, estimated at over $4B across the GCC, in order to do so we need to be on the ground and have more of a presence and partner with influencers and malls to spread awareness about our brand and products.
Startup ask
We are raising $1.5M to build brand awareness on the ground, grow our team with experienced leaders, and further expand across the KSA and the Gulf.
Tawazon
Sector: Health-Tech
Startup inspiration
The inspiration comes from Arab world mental health, and family members mental health.
Target audience
We want to help individuals and families to reach their best state of mind and being.
Requirements to grow
We need to understand what really works, we listen to clients and adjust content and tech to bring the best meditation and mindfulness practices along with awareness practices.
Startup ask
$450K
to be able to reach 1 million users
Mashvisor
Sector: PropTech
Startup inspiration
Mashvisor was founded with the intention of providing real estate investors with data analysis related to their investments.
Target audience
Real estate investors
Requirements to grow
We need human capital. We need to new recruit a high performing team in different areas of the business. We've been able to accomplish so much with a small high performance team but in order to continue our great we need more leaders.
Startup ask
We're currently looking for $10m to continue our growth.
Algebra Intelligence
Sector: Energy, Technology, AI, IoT
Startup inspiration
Integration of artificial intelligence solutions into the Energy Sector to usher smart technology into sustainable development.
Target audience
The energy sector.
Requirements to grow
The second stage will be working on intelligent solutions using AI to reduce electricity consumption through our recommendations and notifications.
Startup ask
N\A
Xina AI
Sector: AI and Machine Learning
Startup inspiration
It all started with inspiration from J.A.R.V.I.S, the legendary Iron Man’s voice assistant.
Recognizing a yawning market gap for Arabic voice assistants globally, Sari Hweitat resolved to create one. He sensed that technology firms, such as Google and Apple, were merely focusing on classical Arabic rather than the different dialects spoken in the Middle East.
Target audience
Xina is an Arabic Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA) that allows organizations to automate customer service with conversations driven by Natural Language Understanding (NLU) across multiple Arabic dialects, languages and channels; ultimately providing a true omnichannel journey for the end consumer. The AI app additionally combines Arabic speech recognition and speech synthesis into one system.
Requirements to grow
In order to further boost its intellectual property system, Xina plans to improve the algorithm’s accuracy and increase the vernacular languages of Arabic from the MENA region with a particular focus on Levant, Egyptian, GCC dialects. Xina benefits from a wealth of previous knowledge in customer service, capitalizing on over 15 years of call recordings in various Arabic-neutral dialects and other languages.
Startup ask
N\A
GoMake
Sector: Manufacturing Technology
Startup inspiration
The idea inspired while we are attempting to improve our family printing businesses. our team of engineers consists of second generation owners of printing factories and global experts in IT, transformed their knowledge to structured data, and their expertise to AI driven workflows and simulations that solves the problem. GoMake intelligent algorithms help manufacturers provide a cost effective plan that includes maximum utilization of raw materials and machinery within the most efficient way to produce each product according to the appropriate timelines, qualities and prices, That’s how our clients increase productivity rate and achieve faster KPIs in all production phases and they managed to increase revenue up to 200%.
Target audience
Printers, Print producers, and Graphic designers
Requirements to grow
To work on intelligent algorithms that allow us to develop the next level of its roadmap which includes advanced eCommerce solutions and the B2B marketplace to enable seamless collaboration between factories in the production processes which significantly expands their production capabilities and product offerings.
Startup ask
We are rising $5M to accelerate R&D, boost Sales and expand into new markets.
360Moms
Sector: Health-Tech
Startup inspiration
I founded 360Moms in 2016, What inspired the concept was that I experienced challenges with my children's wellbeing and I felt very frustrated since I couldn’t find any credible sources to give me answers, especially in the Arab Region. I realized that this is a huge problem that not only I’m facing, but millions of mothers around the Arab region. That’s how I found my vision…. Building 360Moms; the personal digital tool that answers mothers’ everyday health concerns and challenges.
Target audience
We are targeting 65 Million young mothers in the Arab region.
Requirements to grow
The support we need would be access to market, and funding, which will be used on technology (integrating AI into the app), and marketing (to reach our target audience).
Startup ask
We are currently fundraising $1,000,000 to reach our goals in the next 18 months.
JobifyGLO
Sector: Artificial Intelligence
Startup inspiration
Working as a crowdsourcing agency with tech giants; we’ve noticed that big-data is nearing the peak of its hype. As more and more companies reach maturity in their collection and usage of big datasets, they will begin to ask, “What’s Next?” we believe more and more companies will be looking towards automation using small datasets as the next phase of their data strategy.
Target audience
Technology, Automotive, Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, and Government.
Requirements to grow
The most important key for our growth is the expansion of our crowd base. In addition, to developing our technology by introducing more AI machine assisted modules to help our crowd in their annotation process.
Startup ask
We want to work with a supportive investor to further accelerate our efforts towards a more prosperous future within the AI industry. The rapid growth of the AI industry over the past years has clearly illustrated the ever-growing demand for innovative solutions, and we seek to witness first-hand how our products will solve real problems in the industry; by offering the best data solutions the world has seen to date. We are looking for $1 million to accelerate our vision in reshaping the AI industry, and help solidifying our presence in the market.
Day 02
Angel Investors Networking [Speed dating]
Nov 2nd
DIFC Fintech Hive
Open Screenplay
Sector: Screenwriting, Entertainment, & Ed-Tech
Startup inspiration
Global demand for entertainment content is higher than ever. To fill this demand, you need screenwriters and screenplays. In the global market, screenwriters are in very short supply. Open Screenplay is solving the global shortage of screenwriter supply by creating a multilingual online screenwriting platform, community, and marketplace that develops screenwriters to meet the demands of streaming service industries around the world. We have launched in English and Arabic and we have amassed a community of 54,000 screenwriters, out of which 17,000 Arab screenwriters have joined in a span of 8 weeks! See www.openscreenplay.com/ar for Arabic.
Target audience
As a two sided marketplace, we target asipiring screenwriters on one hand, and entertainment companies & educational institutions on the other. Our business customers include Royal Bank of Canada (Canada's largest bank), Muslim Kids TV, and our education customers including public schools in Canada and MBC Academy in the Middle East.
Requirements to grow
Growth in the Arab world and expansion to more languages.
Startup ask
$3M USD
Safra
Sector: Travel-Tech
Startup inspiration
Safra is a travel technology company that connects travel businesses together through it’s high end travel platform, offering a variety of solutions that helps every travel business to grow, expand and achieve their business goals.
Target audience
Travel companies, Agencies and travel professionals.
Requirements to grow
N/A
Startup ask
N/A
Jeelcode
Sector: EdTech
Tawfeeq Saad Eddin
Vice President of Business DevelopmentVice
Contact
Startup inspiration
I started teaching my kids computer coding to prepare them for future jobs and I have discovered that many parents share the same pain.
Target audience
We are targeting parents with kids between age 9-14 who live in the GCC, Jordan and Palestine
Requirements to grow
We need to perfect the product market fit and scale the B2C sales process through automation to lower the cost of acquisition and increase the conversion rate
Startup ask
US$ 500K
SAFE Agreement
Naviatx
Sector: Insurtech, Smart mobility
Startup inspiration
We founded Naviatx to fight against the leading cause of death around the world, car accidents. Our mobile app, Maslak, converts driving behaviors into risk scores that are then used to reward safe drivers.
Target audience
Maslak steers away from bulky and pricy hardware and uses only your smartphone to offer granular understanding to insurance companies, fleet owners, delivery and logistics companies and ride-sharing companies on a B2B model.
Requirements to grow
Introductions to regional insurance companies & ride-sharing companies' executives.
Startup ask
$350,000
Modesta
Sector: Fashion, E-commerce
Startup inspiration
Young women in their '20s and '30s are influenced by the fashion sense on social media platforms; where they actively search for modest but modern and fashionable clothing online. As a woman who adopts modesty in my lifestyle and with a great passion for fashion, I decided to start Modesta.
Modesta's vision is to be leading modest fashion e-commerce for women to express their individuality. We are creating our own modest movement by aggregating special collections from various vendors and brands, aiming to make finding modern modest fashion for everyday easy and enjoyable experience.
Target audience
Our target audience is women in their '20s and '30s.
Requirements to grow
Modesta is deploying the latest funding for expansion and reaching a wider base of customers in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain along with the growth of the technology to aggregate more brands and vendors.
Startup ask
Our ask for this round is $2M
Nabeeh
Sector: Home services
Startup inspiration
7 years ago as a co-founders we faced a big problem with services providers when we wanted to renovate our home, there is a long waste time and a lot of process to contract with providers, we Had taken a lot of vacations to follow the work in our home, there’s no commitment in the time, No References for prices, not easy to find trusted and verified providers and contract with them, no guarantees no quality and it’s a random market. We are interested in the business as well, we had studied the local market and we saw most of people struggle from the same problems, we built network of providers and launched the first company as MR. Fix and received the orders and create a new model. Sine 2018 we have followed up the startups in the MENA region and the global, we decide to move into startup scale to serve many of people through our Nabeeh Platform, So, we launched our operation in west bank in 2021.
Target audience
• People who want home services done. • People who are short on time. • People who are on the go. • Elderly or disabled people who can't really perform their services. • Ages above 25 years. • Often married • Both gender female and male. • Usually lives in cities centers.
Requirements to grow
1- Develop a highly efficient work flow on platform (Web/Mob). 2- Build digital call center open for 24 hours/7 days a week. 3- Build a wide network of providers and companies specialized in Health and Home care services. 4- Launch our operation in KSA markets. 5- Maximize Sales target.
Startup ask
3,000,000$ - Safe Note Agreement
Tadamon
Sector: Humanitarian, NGO
Startup inspiration
Tadamon is the brainchild of three proactive entrepreneurs: Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury who co-founded Souq and Maktoob, as well as Amir Shihadeh, founder of YARA.
Tadamon organizes fragmented charity cases by verifying them and making them available on a single online platform for donors to easily support. These cases support underprivileged people in various areas of need, from health aid, education, nutrition, housing, environment, and more.
Target audience
N/A
Requirements to grow
N/A
Startup ask
N/A
ERPMax
Sector: Tech
Startup inspiration
What inspired us to go for ERPMax is the huge gap between what businessmen want in the region (by firsthand experience) in systems and what actually exist and the incapability of the existing systems to be optimized and easily customized per a customer need. Hence, two brilliant minds came together to offer that solution. They started from the point everyone is at and developed it further more per the regional needs and thirst for solutions that are always expressed but not met.
Target audience
ERPMax is for all business owners who realized the need to automate and maximize their business.
Requirements to grow
Grow our team of professionals, reduce our product's time-to-market, and escalate our marketing and sales efforts.
Startup ask
Being a part of our strategic goals, we are looking for $3M in investment, as ERPMax is relentlessly working to grow exponentially, both in its team of professionals and in reach to regional and international markets.
Olivery
Sector: Logistics
Startup inspiration
Logistics high demand in the MENA , we know the demand is high for online business , and online business can not operate without a delivery/logistics company , unfortunately these companies need the right technology with affordable price , which usually either expensive or outdated. Olivery a SaaS platform let them manage all their operations with subscription based.
Target audience
Small to medium Logistics companies , and any company with their own fleet.
Requirements to grow
We already in 7 countries but we need to expand faster into specific regions focusing on Market and Sales.
Startup ask
N/A
Cymetricx
Sector: Cybersecurity
Startup inspiration
Cymetricx was born from years of seeing organization trying to manage and gain better situational awareness about their overall security.
Target audience
Organizations looking for better visibility across a wide range of security areas and disciplines.
Requirements to grow
N/A
Startup ask
1M USD
Booklet
Sector: Fintech
Startup inspiration
In 2020, KSA authorities (zatca.gov.sa) had announced the concept of e-Invoice in KSA by 2022. By that time, we were selling our ERP and invoicing solution in the Saudi market. A quick review of the market volume in KSA, 1.45 million SMEs are registered in Saudi Arabia, most of them are not automated or use legacy systems or use desktop applications. The idea came up by providing Cloud ERP solution using subscription model (SaaS) that is compliant with ZATCA regulations and provide a solution for the SMEs in KSA as first market. We thought of Cloud to be able to reach more markets in future. Early 2022, ZATCA came up with the mandate of invoicing signature and integration with ZATCA as a must for large businesses in the first time, and then for SMEs. Another opportunity sparked then! We will provide APIs for any third-party application to integrate their system -without changing it- with ZATCA and insert our selves in this layer between merchants and ZATCA. The idea successes and we are now in the testing phase which represents another revenue generation stream.
Target audience
Small Medium sized businesses in Saudi Arabia whom should meet ZATCA compliance.
Requirements to grow
We need to perform nationwide marketing efforts to achieve the market share we look for, and to develop Booklet online payment services to complete the invoicing processes. This will be through Booklet APP over POS machines using currently payment gateways in the market.
Startup ask
4.7 M$
Flare
Sector: Streaming, Gaming, AdTech
Startup inspiration
The whole idea started when Bilal (the Co-Founder & CTO) started streaming the call of duty warzone game in our dorm, it took us hours to make highlights, and hiring an editor wasn't a choice due to the unreasonable cost, we realized how immature the live streaming industry is although it generates Billions of $, also we have realized that our solution also solves the issue of showing ads in live streams which is considered the most important revenue channel for the platforms and the streamers.
Target audience
We are targeting live streamers and streaming platforms.
Requirements to grow
To reach the next big milestone we need to hire more talented devs, recruit a sales team and invest more in expanding our operations to cover more sectors in the streaming industry.
Startup ask
We are seeking $2M