As Kuwait continues to foster a dynamic and evolving startup ecosystem, 2024 brings a new wave of innovative companies set to make their mark. These startups, spanning various industries from technology to healthcare, are not only driving economic growth but also positioning Kuwait as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence. This list highlights the top startups to watch this year, showcasing the talent and ingenuity propelling Kuwait into the future.

Baims

Baims is an ed-tech startup providing top academic instructors and a wide range of educational content tailored to university curricula, enabling flexible and affordable learning for students. Founded by Bader Al-Rasheed and Yousef Alhusaini, Baims has raised $6.2M in funding, with their latest Series A round completed in 2023. The platform is designed to help students study anytime and anywhere, focusing on exam-specific questions for effective preparation.

Bookr

Bookr is a Kuwaiti cloud-based platform that allows users to easily find and book appointments with beauty salons, spas, and freelance beauty service providers. Founded by Zaina Al Bader, the platform also offers a comprehensive SaaS solution to help beauty service providers manage appointments, inventory, and financial data. Bookr has raised $1M in funding, with the latest round completed in 2024.

COFE

COFE App redefines coffee ordering with its online marketplace and mobile app, offering users a smarter way to satisfy their caffeine cravings. Founded by Ali Al Ebrahim, the platform provides beverages from chain coffee houses and specialty roasters, alongside coffee beans and accessories. Backed by a diverse group of investors including KISP Ventures and Cedar Mundi, COFE App has raised $28.2M across four funding rounds, with its latest Series B round completed in 2023.

Dawrat

Dawrat is an ed-tech marketplace specializing in Arabic-taught online courses, serving users across the MENA region. Founded by Mohamed Al Srayea and Yousef Bonashi in 2011, the platform offers over 10,000 courses and has recently expanded to Saudi Arabia. Despite challenges such as traditional learning biases and accreditation issues, Dawrat aims to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in the region, particularly among young entrepreneurs.

Enabill

Enabill, a Kuwait-based fintech startup founded by Faisal and Fawaz Almerri in late 2020, provides innovative payment solutions for restaurants. It raised $1.2 million in seed funding from the Taken Seat and angel investors. Enabill aims to enhance its technology, grow its team, and expand in the GCC region.

FIZ

Fiz is an e-commerce startup offering 15-minute grocery delivery services, providing a wide range of products including groceries, baked goods, fresh produce, cleaning, and personal items. It raised $2.5 million in a pre-seed funding round on January 5, 2022. Fiz aims to deliver approximately 1,500 stock-keeping units (SKUs) rapidly to its users.

Kem

Kem, a Kuwait-based fintech startup founded in 2021 by Seth Sadeq, Zane Chichua, and George Chichua, offers a P2P instant payment platform using QR codes for seamless money transfers. It raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Maqamees Holdings to develop its app and expand across the Gulf region. Kem aims to simplify financial transactions, particularly for the unbanked and underserved, by leveraging AI, machine learning, and secure banking infrastructure.

Mojo

Mojo, a Kuwait-based social commerce startup founded in 2022 by Abdulaziz Al-Bahar and Nadia Al-Hamad, helps beauty enthusiasts discover and buy beauty, skincare, and wellness products. The platform combines social networking with shopping, allowing users to explore products, earn rewards, and share reviews. Mojo recently raised a seven-figure Seed round to enhance its technology and expand into Saudi Arabia.

OptimizeApp

Founded in 2017 by Bader Alkazemi and Eid Almujaibel, OptimizeApp provides marketers with a one-stop platform to intuitively launch, manage, and track all their social media campaigns in one app. The company acquired Panda Media, a Kuwait-based online education platform focused on entrepreneurs with the goal of offering educational marketing courses and materials designed to help local small and medium-sized enterprises focus on e-commerce growth and digital advertising.

Raha

Founded in 2022 by Saleh Al-Tunaib, Raha is a technology and automation provider that initially launched an e-grocery platform with an automated robotic fulfillment center called ShopRaha. Raha quickly expanded its multi-sector offerings after raising $6.7 million in a Seed round led by regional and international investors. Recently, the company raised an additional $7 million in a pre-Series A round, led by Soor Capital and the PIF-backed private equity fund eWTP Arabia Capital.

Teeela

Teeela is the GCC’s fastest-growing gifting platform, offering an easy, quick, and personalized gifting and toy-buying experience. Founded by Abdulwahab Alkhulaifi, Ibrahim Al-khulaifi, and Yahya Al Refaei, Teeela raised a $3.8 million Seed round in 2022. The platform aims to streamline finding and purchasing personalized gifts and toys.

Ubuy

Ubuy, an international shopping platform founded in 2012 by Abdulwahab AlOthman and Dhari AlAbdulhadi in Kuwait, offers access to over 100 million products from top global brands across 180+ countries. Customers can browse a wide selection of deals on electronics, apparel, mobile phones, beauty products, and more, with worldwide shipping available. The platform also provides a shopping app for convenient access to premium and luxury products at competitive prices.

Kuwait's entrepreneurial landscape is vibrant, with various innovative ventures making waves. From pioneering payment solutions to reshaping social commerce, these endeavors showcase Kuwait's potential for growth and innovation in various sectors. Keep an eye on the evolving entrepreneurial scene as it drives economic progress and innovation in the region.