Quiqup, is a tech scale-up building a decentralized, AI-powered last-mile logistics infrastructure. This is designed to power same-day delivery services for retailers and restaurants of all sizes and across all industries.
The existing investor, JOBI Capital, with participation from strategic investor Cedar Mundi Ventures, the Beirut based VC firm part of Kuwait Holding Group are leading the funding round. Quiqup will build on its current operations in Dubai to expand into two cities in the GCC, with others to follow as part of its expansion plan. To support its regional expansion, Quiqup will set up its regional tech hub in Beirut with a development team drawing on the existing local tech-savvy and cost-efficient talents.
Quiqup’s services were launched in the region in September 2017, with its expansion into Dubai seeing tremendous success and levels of growth delivered well ahead of expectations. The company continues to see double-digit growth there, with a long list of over 125 clients including some of the region and the world’s best-known brands.
Quiqup quotes
Dani El Zein – GM
Dani El-Zein, GM of Quiqup UAE, said, “The tremendous growth that we have seen in Dubai proves that the GCC region and MENA more broadly, are exceptional opportunities for Quiqup. We are looking forward to building on the success that we are having in Dubai as we expand regionally.”
Bassel El Koussa – CEO
Bassel El Koussa, CEO and co-founder of Quiqup, said, “The opportunity in the MENA region is like nothing we see elsewhere. Just as in many parts of the world, mobile leapfrogged wired telephony or desktop computers, we see the same potential for game-changing innovation in the GCC and beyond. Our technology is second to none in the region and our obsession with industry-leading technology and on customer experience is putting us at the forefront of innovation. We look forward to creating a last-mile infrastructure that serves as a model for the rest of the world.”
There are a number of factors that make expansion into the region very attractive. E-commerce in the region is in its early stages compared with the rest of the world and growth rates of e-commerce there are among the highest in the world. Delivery will be fundamental to the growth of this sector, providing attractive market conditions for the expansion. Consumer expectations around service and convenient delivery are also advanced compared with the rest of the world, with a strong service culture and a spirit of innovation, driving customer and business adoption of tech-enabled, same-day delivery services.
Quiqup advantages
Quiqup is transforming the way goods move about the city – for better cities, better business and better living. Large enterprises benefit from bespoke delivery solutions built using its modular, proprietary technology. Smaller businesses benefit from speedy integrations that help them turn on fast last-mile delivery in cities at the click of a button.
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector.
Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC).
She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book.
She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter.
Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler.
It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
