Egypt-Based Nowlun Secures US$1.7 Million In Seed Funding

Egypt-based Nowlun, a digital freight forwarding platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has raised US$1.7 million in seed funding. The round was led by the KSA-headquartered Nama Ventures and A15, with participation from Sanabil 500 Global and prominent angel investors. 

Founded in 2021 by Moataz Khamis (CEO), Mahmoud Khaled (CTO), and Ahmed Emara (COO), Nowlun has quickly become a prominent name in the MENA logistics market. The platform seamlessly connects with leading shipping lines, offering businesses instant access to real-time pricing and empowering them to make swift, data-driven decisions. With its shipment management system, Nowlun provides a centralized control tower that enables users to monitor their cargo in real-time, receive instant alerts, and address issues proactively. 

This investment will propel Nowlun's ambitious expansion strategy and fast-track enhancements to its technology platform.

Mohammed Alzubi, founder and managing partner of Nama Ventures, said, "We were impressed by their deep domain expertise, strong traction in the Saudi market, and clear vision for disrupting the logistics space. We have no doubt that Nowlun has the right team to lead this transformation." 

Bassem Raafat, principal at A15, added, "We are thrilled to partner with Nowlun in their mission to revolutionize the freight forwarding industry. Their unique combination of deep domain expertise and cutting-edge technology positions them to make a transformative impact. We have great confidence in Nowlun's team and their vision to drive efficiency, transparency, and innovation across the supply chain ecosystem.” 

In an exclusive interview with Inc. Arabia, Moataz Khamis, CEO of Nowlun, said, “The $1.7 million seed funding will be directed towards three key areas. First, the product development which is enhancing Nowlun's platform with advanced features like shipment management systems and proactive risk management tools. This includes expanding service offerings to include Bulk, Less-than-Container Load (LCL), and Air Freight to cater to diverse client needs. Second, the market expansion, through strengthening presence across new MENA markets by scaling sales and commercial teams, aiming to outpace traditional competitors using Nowlun’s digital logistics expertise.” Lastly, the company will use the funds to boost operational excellence, or “streamlining and automating operations to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, aiming to set new industry standards.” 

Khamis told us that Nowlun also plans to scale its operations and expand its market reach with this funding. “Nowlun plans to deepen its footprint in the MENA region, leveraging its expertise in digital logistics to penetrate new markets. Saudi Arabia has already been a success story, showcasing the robustness of the model in competitive markets. With this funding, the focus is on bolstering commercial teams and expanding into additional MENA countries. The long-term vision also includes scaling operations to compete globally.” 

Reflecting on the specific gaps in the shipping industry that Nowlun aims to solve, Khamis explained, “The shipment industry faces critical challenges, including lack of visibility and transparency, where traditional methods often leave shippers with little visibility on market rates. And second, latency in processes, where obtaining sea freight rates or tracking your shipments on different shipping lines can be slow and inefficient.” 

For Khamis, Nowlun’s digital platform directly addresses these issues by integrating over 30 lines through a shipment management system and delivering immediate notifications.  

“This streamlined approach saves time, enhances transparency, and simplifies the shipping process, positioning Nowlun as a leader in transforming the logistics landscape.”