Qme, an emerging B2B SaaS startup from Egypt, has successfully raised US$3 million in a seed funding round with participation from AHOY, a leading multi-sector technology company, alongside a group of strategic angel investors in the GCC region. This strategic partnership is set to transform how businesses and governments manage customer interactions across Africa and the GCC through innovative AI-driven solutions.
The MoU signing took place on 12 February 2025 at LEAP 2025, at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre, Malham.
The collaboration with AHOY extends beyond funding. Known for its agility and vision, AHOY is a regional tech pioneer aiming to become a decacorn by offering advanced solutions in logistics, aviation, traffic management, and beyond. Its support provides Qme with access to cutting-edge technology and deep market expertise.
Qme is part of AHOY’s Startup Builder Initiative, a programme designed to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs and support 30,000 software developers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by 2030. The strategic technological framework for the Startup Builder Initiative aims to catalyse exponential innovation across critical infrastructure sectors such as transportation, aviation, and smart city development.
“Our partnership with AHOY is considered a major milestone. This collaboration strengthens our ability to optimise movement in dynamic, real-world scenarios while transforming customer experiences. AHOY’s operational excellence and robust tech stack are invaluable as we scale in vibrant markets,” said Maged Negm, CEO and Co-Founder of Qme. “I’m extremely excited to have Jamil Shinawi, AHOY’s CEO, joining Qme’s Advisory Committee. Our partnership with AHOY marks a pivotal moment in our journey.”
Qme’s AI-driven platform addresses a critical issue in MENA, where inefficient queuing systems and outdated appointment booking methods cost individuals an average of six months of their lives standing in line. Moreover, the reliance on phone bookings, which account for 92% of appointments in key sectors, results in a no-show rate of 31%, creating further inefficiencies.
Since its commercial launch in Q4 2023, Qme has made remarkable strides. The company has already served over 100,000 customers in the healthcare, banking, and government sectors, reducing waiting times from 116 minutes to just 14 minutes. Qme has also cut phone booking no-show rates to below 1%, while transitioning paper-based queuing systems to digital alternatives, saving an estimated 50,000 square metres of paper.
AHOY sees transformative potential in Qme’s solutions. “Qme’s platform aligns perfectly with our ethos of reducing friction in everyday processes,” said Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-Founder of AHOY. “Their ability to streamline the customer journey resonates with AHOY’s mission of solving real-world inefficiencies through innovation. The collaboration leverages AHOY’s multi-sector expertise and visionary approach to help Qme penetrate complex markets across the GCC and African regions and advance globally.”
With this funding, Qme plans to enhance its technology stack, expand its operational reach, and forge deeper partnerships. Together with AHOY, Qme aims to redefine how businesses and governments interact with customers, paving the way for a future where inefficiencies become a thing of the past.
