HALA Ventures Q2 Newsletter: A Quarter of Innovation and Impact

Quarterly Overview

As we step into the second half of the year, HALA Ventures is thrilled to share the remarkable progress and achievements from Q2. This newsletter highlights our key milestones, strategic initiatives, and the exceptional accomplishments of our portfolio.

HALA Ventures: Q2 in a nutshell

Events and talks: Engaging Minds, Building Connections,

Forging Connections and Inspiring Innovation

• KFUPM Consulting Club (KCC): Ali Abussaud visited KFUPM and talked openly about investment and entrepreneurship.
• Rally Accelerate Mentorship Bootcamp: Nada Helmy, our Value Creation Manager, shared insights on the importance of market-grounded valuations at the "From Local to Global" panel by AAST Entrepreneurship Center.
• Spectrum Investment Forum 2024: Our Founding Managing Partner, Hussain Almarhoon, participated in a panel discussing the VC landscape.
• Techne Summit Cairo: Hussain Almarhoon spoke on the "Expanding Horizons: Strategies for Penetrating New Markets" panel, offering advice to Egyptian startups on expanding to KSA and engaging with professionals from Asia and Europe.
• Qatar Economic Forum: Hussain Almarhoon shared insights on navigating the Gulf business landscape.
• Startups Without Borders: Nada Helmy moderated a panel on navigating investments during challenging economic climates.
• AIM Congress, Abu Dhabi: Nada Helmy represented HALA Ventures in a global panel discussing "Securing Funding without Sacrificing Focus on Product."
• SaudiPreneur: Ayat Al-Sabbagh, our Senior Investment Associate, served as a trainer, contributing to the spread of entrepreneurship education in the kingdom.

These events highlight HALA Ventures' active role in fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem in MENA.

Interviews

• Techne Summit Cairo: Our Founding Managing Partner, Hussain Almarhoon, shared valuable insights on market expansion strategies and emphasized on HALA Ventures' support for startups in an exclusive interview. Watch the full interview here.
• Ali Abussaud was featured in another interview with Al Arabiya. Watch the interview

Research and Insights

• Tech Scene Analysis: Discover the dynamic tech landscape in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region through an in-depth report by MBA students at Alliance Manchester Business School, mentored by HALA Ventures. This comprehensive analysis delves into growth and investment trends, providing a clear picture of the sector's evolution.

Portfolio Companies: We share pride of Remarkable Achievements in Q2

Sarwa: Achieves Record Profit and Growth Milestones in 2024

Sarwa hit its first-ever profit milestone in the first quarter of 2024 with a net profit margin of 33%, making it a big win for the company. Sarwa additionally surpassed 10 billion AED in cumulative trading volume, and grew quarterly revenues by more than 5x compared to 2 years ago. Despite industry challenges and global economic fluctuations, Sarwa’s landmark milestone demonstrates adaptability in navigating evolving market dynamics.

Telfaz11: Expanding Horizons and Local Content

Telfaz11, has partnered with Metis Films Ltd to bring the award-winning Saudi thriller-drama MANDOOB (Night Courier) to the UK and Ireland, following its success in Saudi Arabia and global festivals. Additionally, Telfaz11 Studios has signed a cooperation agreement with Malahi to integrate the popular Saudi film "Star: The Return of the Legendary Five" into various amusement park games, enhancing the entertainment experience for all ages.

VUZ: Revolutionizing Digital Entertainment and Fan Engagement

VUZ has partnered with Hungama and Al Shabab Football Club. VUZ and Hungama aim to reach over 200 million users with immersive digital experiences. Additionally, the three-year partnership with Al Shabab FC will drive the new SuperFans Subscription plan, offering exclusive 360-degree content for football fans. These collaborations promise exciting and immersive experiences for both digital entertainment enthusiasts and football fans.

Democrance: Award-Winning Innovations in Insurance Technology

Democrance has been recognized with two prestigious awards by World Business Outlook: Best Insurance Distribution Platform UAE 2024 and Leading Insurance SaaS for Emerging Markets UAE 2024. Additionally, Democrance received the "Best InsureTek Supporter" award at the 9th InsureTek Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2024.

Torod: Enhancing Hajj Services Through Innovation

Torod was honored to be selected as a partner in this year's Creative Industry Summit. CEO Faisal Almaklas showcased Torod's innovative services and solutions designed to facilitate Hajj for pilgrims. His Highness Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, presented Mr. Faisal with honors, emphasizing the crucial role of entrepreneurs in improving the Hajj experience through creative and effective solutions.

Intella: Advancing Customer Experience with AI Technology

Intella has partnered with WE Telecom and Ooredoo to bring intellaCX, an AI-driven Arabic contact center solution, to businesses in the region. This partnership with WE enhances customer experiences through advanced AI technology. Ooredoo Business held a virtual workshop with Intella to showcase features like call transcription, summarization, and keyword identification to improve call center efficiency.

Subsbase: Empowering Financial Services Through Collaboration

Subsbase has partnered with Synapse Analytics to deliver fresh content addressing consumer needs in the finance sector. Both innovative startups share a unified goal of empowering clients with tools that enhance customer experiences. This collaboration will provide insightful content, starting with their piece on the shift from product-centric to customer-centric approaches in financial services and banking.

Rize: Achieving Major Milestones in Rent Now, Pay Later

Rize has reached a significant milestone with the value of "Rent Now, Pay Later" requests surpassing 100 million SAR. This achievement underscores the success and growing adoption of Rize's innovative rental solutions.

Nearpay: Selected for Prestigious Mastercard Program

Nearpay has been selected as one of the six global startups to participate in the esteemed Mastercard program. This recognition highlights Nearpay's innovative approach and its potential to make a significant impact in the financial technology sector.

Omniful: Enhancing E-commerce Fulfillment with Aramex Partnership

Omniful has formed a strategic partnership with Aramex, a global leader in logistics and transportation. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in enhancing e-commerce fulfillment globally through the integration of Omniful’s advanced Order Management System (OMS).

Stay Connected with HALA Ventures

We couldn't be prouder of the accomplishments of our portfolio companies. As we continue to support and celebrate their successes, we invite you to join us in applauding their dedication and spirit.

Stay tuned for our upcoming newsletters, where we'll share more inspiring stories, valuable insights, and exciting opportunities within the investment landscape. Subscribe now to keep up with the latest updates and achievements from HALA Ventures.

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