FJ Labs

iMENA Group is a venture capital investment firm established in 2013 and headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The firm focuses on the consumer Internet market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, targeting the hyper-growth phase of this sector. iMENA invests in and collaborates with promising founders and organizations across various industries, leveraging globally proven technology and business models. Additionally, the company provides strategic and operational support to help address the challenges of developing and scaling online businesses in the MENA region.

Alerzo is a B2B e-commerce retail company based in Ibadan, Nigeria, that focuses on transforming the operations of informal retail stores. Founded in 2019, Alerzo provides a technology and services platform that facilitates on-demand inventory distribution and financial services tailored for small retailers. Its platform enables these stores to easily discover, purchase, and manage their inventories, while also delivering valuable insights such as real-time market trends, customer feedback, and consumer purchasing data. By bridging the gap between retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), Alerzo enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of informal retail operations.

AI Clearing is a technology company that focuses on improving the construction industry through artificial intelligence. Established in 2020 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, the company offers an AI-driven platform that automates construction progress reporting and quality control. Its AI Surveyor tool enables fully automated tracking of construction activities and facilitates real-time identification of potential issues, enhancing project oversight. By processing inputs from various construction projects, AI Clearing generates accurate measurements that aid in payment approvals and provide insightful analysis and reports. Its solutions are designed to foster trust and increase productivity among construction businesses, and the technology has been adopted by industry leaders across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

Cymbio is an Israel-based company founded in 2015 that specializes in an end-to-end drop ship and marketplace automation platform designed to enhance digital sales for brands. The platform integrates and streamlines data between brands and their retail partners, allowing brands to optimize sales opportunities while maintaining control over merchandising, pricing, and product visibility. By automating time-consuming processes, Cymbio facilitates real-time connections between brands and retailers, helping clients to create new business opportunities and strengthen partnerships. Retailers benefit from Cymbio’s offerings as they can provide consumers with a broader selection of products without incurring additional inventory risks.

Moove is a mobility fintech company focused on providing revenue-based vehicle financing to mobility entrepreneurs across Africa. By leveraging embedded alternative credit-scoring technology, Moove integrates its services within ride-hailing, logistics, and last-mile delivery platforms. This innovative approach allows the company to assess the performance and revenue of mobility entrepreneurs, enabling it to underwrite loans for individuals who have been historically excluded from traditional financial services. Through its unique model, Moove aims to democratize vehicle ownership and enhance access to financial resources for a growing number of mobility operators in the region.

Alerzo is a B2B e-commerce retail company based in Ibadan, Nigeria, that focuses on transforming the operations of informal retail stores. Founded in 2019, Alerzo provides a technology and services platform that facilitates on-demand inventory distribution and financial services tailored for small retailers. Its platform enables these stores to easily discover, purchase, and manage their inventories, while also delivering valuable insights such as real-time market trends, customer feedback, and consumer purchasing data. By bridging the gap between retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), Alerzo enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of informal retail operations.

UNIPaaS is a payment solution that enables digital platforms and marketplaces to own, manage, and monetize from financial services. Digital marketplaces and B2B platforms can now own their payment experience and control their funds' flow. They are transforming how businesses integrate and handle payments, reducing financial operations costs, and accelerating the implementation of new growth engines powered by payments and financial services. By monetizing these activities and providing these new services to customers in the right context, digital platforms can effectively increase stickiness, and lifetime value, and generate additional revenues. UNIPaaS was founded in 2020 and is based in Israel.

Yassir is a leading super app based in Algiers, Algeria, that offers a range of on-demand services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and financial services. Founded in 2016, Yassir has developed a mobile application that allows users to book drivers at any time and place, along with options for ordering food and groceries. The company operates in 45 cities across multiple countries and aims to enhance daily services through its technology-driven platform. Recently, Yassir has expanded its offerings to include digital payment solutions, enabling users to pay, save, and borrow online, thereby contributing to the digital economy in the region. With significant backing from notable investors, Yassir is focused on creating a marketplace that meets various consumer needs while embedding social values in its operations.

Sendbox is a platform that offers infrastructure for shipping and escrow payments, specifically designed to support e-commerce activities on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The service enables merchants and customers in North America, Europe, and Africa to engage in secure online transactions. By identifying trustworthy merchants and utilizing an escrow system for payments, Sendbox ensures a safe purchasing environment. Additionally, the platform provides shipping solutions that allow users to send items to both domestic and international destinations at discounted rates through partnerships with various delivery services. This comprehensive approach facilitates convenient e-commerce operations for businesses and consumers alike.

Elmenus is a food discovery platform based in Cairo, Egypt, founded in 2011. The company operates a digital application that allows users to explore nearby restaurants and discover popular dishes, enhanced by community-generated content including photos, reviews, and ratings. Catering to over one million monthly users, Elmenus combines a social and visual experience to facilitate food discovery and ordering. It has expanded its presence with offices in several Egyptian cities, including Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh. The platform's focus on personalized recommendations helps users find and enjoy the food they love, making it a significant player in Egypt's food tech landscape.

Alerzo is a B2B e-commerce retail company based in Ibadan, Nigeria, that focuses on transforming the operations of informal retail stores. Founded in 2019, Alerzo provides a technology and services platform that facilitates on-demand inventory distribution and financial services tailored for small retailers. Its platform enables these stores to easily discover, purchase, and manage their inventories, while also delivering valuable insights such as real-time market trends, customer feedback, and consumer purchasing data. By bridging the gap between retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), Alerzo enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of informal retail operations.

Baraka is an investment application founded in the UAE that aims to democratize access to the stock markets. The platform provides users with educational resources, concise market news, and comprehensive stock analysis to build their confidence as investors. It facilitates commission-free investing in a wide range of stocks and exchange-traded funds, allowing individuals to easily explore various investment opportunities. Baraka's mission is to empower everyone to participate in the financial markets, making investment accessible and straightforward for all.

OpenSooq is an online classified platform that facilitates the trading of property, cars, products, and services primarily in the Middle East and North Africa region. This platform allows sellers to directly offer their goods and services to millions of potential buyers without the need for intermediaries. Users can explore a diverse range of categories, including automotive, real estate, and electronics, making it easier for buyers to find what they need. By aggregating various marketplaces, OpenSooq enhances the connection and interaction between buyers and sellers, simplifying the process of commerce in the region.

Baraka is an investment application founded in the UAE that aims to democratize access to the stock markets. The platform provides users with educational resources, concise market news, and comprehensive stock analysis to build their confidence as investors. It facilitates commission-free investing in a wide range of stocks and exchange-traded funds, allowing individuals to easily explore various investment opportunities. Baraka's mission is to empower everyone to participate in the financial markets, making investment accessible and straightforward for all.

UNIPaaS is a payment solution that enables digital platforms and marketplaces to own, manage, and monetize from financial services. Digital marketplaces and B2B platforms can now own their payment experience and control their funds' flow. They are transforming how businesses integrate and handle payments, reducing financial operations costs, and accelerating the implementation of new growth engines powered by payments and financial services. By monetizing these activities and providing these new services to customers in the right context, digital platforms can effectively increase stickiness, and lifetime value, and generate additional revenues. UNIPaaS was founded in 2020 and is based in Israel.

MUNCH:ON is a food tech startup that has cracked the subscription space in the UAE & KSA, focusing on offering meals from the best restaurants at a significant discount and with free delivery. The company has invested heavily in its scheduling, bundling and order prediction software which has enabled it to achieve massive cost savings for its restaurant partners that they then pass on to their users, often offering up to a 55% discount vs. restaurants' regular price. Whether it's employees ordering from their company's curated menu or users ordering for their families at home, the platform takes the usual hassle and cost out of food delivery in a financially (and environmentally) sustainable manner for all stakeholders

Yassir is a leading super app based in Algiers, Algeria, that offers a range of on-demand services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and financial services. Founded in 2016, Yassir has developed a mobile application that allows users to book drivers at any time and place, along with options for ordering food and groceries. The company operates in 45 cities across multiple countries and aims to enhance daily services through its technology-driven platform. Recently, Yassir has expanded its offerings to include digital payment solutions, enabling users to pay, save, and borrow online, thereby contributing to the digital economy in the region. With significant backing from notable investors, Yassir is focused on creating a marketplace that meets various consumer needs while embedding social values in its operations.

MUNCH:ON is a food tech startup that has cracked the subscription space in the UAE & KSA, focusing on offering meals from the best restaurants at a significant discount and with free delivery. The company has invested heavily in its scheduling, bundling and order prediction software which has enabled it to achieve massive cost savings for its restaurant partners that they then pass on to their users, often offering up to a 55% discount vs. restaurants' regular price. Whether it's employees ordering from their company's curated menu or users ordering for their families at home, the platform takes the usual hassle and cost out of food delivery in a financially (and environmentally) sustainable manner for all stakeholders

Borzo is a global delivery service specializing in same-day intracity delivery. The company employs advanced algorithms to optimize numerous parallel deliveries by analyzing factors such as geographical routes, package contents, and available couriers. This technology allows Borzo to efficiently manage and execute deliveries within the same day, catering to a diverse clientele that includes small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger corporations. Operating in several countries, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey, Borzo serves millions of customers, providing a reliable solution for their delivery needs.

Vivense is a Turkish online furniture retailer that connects customers with various furniture manufacturers. The company offers a diverse range of products, including sofas, chairs, tables, beds, and cupboards, through its e-commerce platform and physical showrooms. By providing an extensive selection of interior design products, Vivense enables customers to enhance their living spaces. Additionally, the company supports convenience by allowing clients to order their desired furniture items online and offers free delivery for select products.

Lori Systems is a logistics platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, that connects transporters with cargo owners across Africa. Founded in 2016, the company also has offices in Mombasa, Uganda, and Lagos. Lori addresses a significant challenge in the African logistics sector, where up to 75% of product costs can be attributed to logistics, compared to only 6% in the United States. The platform provides a tech-enabled and operations-driven marketplace that enhances transparency, flexibility, reliability, and cost efficiency, achieving savings of over 18% for users. It offers real-time tracking of cargo, automated documentation, and streamlined payment processes, facilitating smoother goods transportation across the continent. Since its product launch in May 2017, Lori has experienced rapid growth, with a compounded monthly increase of 30%. The demand for its services continues to rise, supported by recent investments from prominent institutional and strategic investors. The company has also received recognition, including winning Techcrunch Battlefield Africa.

OpenSooq is an online classified platform that facilitates the trading of property, cars, products, and services primarily in the Middle East and North Africa region. This platform allows sellers to directly offer their goods and services to millions of potential buyers without the need for intermediaries. Users can explore a diverse range of categories, including automotive, real estate, and electronics, making it easier for buyers to find what they need. By aggregating various marketplaces, OpenSooq enhances the connection and interaction between buyers and sellers, simplifying the process of commerce in the region.

Bulk MRO Industrial Supply Pvt. Ltd. is a Mumbai-based distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations products. Founded in 2016, the company provides a comprehensive range of items, including abrasives, adhesives, cleaning equipment, electrical equipment, fasteners, hand tools, lighting products, office supplies, and safety products. It serves a diverse array of sectors such as automobile, chemical, FMCG, hospitality, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and power. As a global B2B platform, Bulk MRO caters to numerous large corporations and government clients across North America, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for millions of products sourced from thousands of manufacturers.

OpenSooq is an online classified platform that facilitates the trading of property, cars, products, and services primarily in the Middle East and North Africa region. This platform allows sellers to directly offer their goods and services to millions of potential buyers without the need for intermediaries. Users can explore a diverse range of categories, including automotive, real estate, and electronics, making it easier for buyers to find what they need. By aggregating various marketplaces, OpenSooq enhances the connection and interaction between buyers and sellers, simplifying the process of commerce in the region.