Qatar-Based ShipBee Raises US$235,000 To Fuel Growth

ShipBee, a Qatar-based artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital logistics marketplace, has secured QAR855,000 (US$235,000) in a pre-seed funding round led by GrowthX, a Qatar-based venture capital firm established by Hamad Al Hajiri (founder of Qatari super app Snoonu), alongside contributions from two angel investors, which values the early-stage startup at QAR3.57 million ($960,000).  

The investment will support ShipBee’s mission to innovate the way businesses and consumers handle shipping, delivery, and logistics—both within Qatar and across international markets. 

Founded by Tamer Raafat and Amer Azani in Qatar in 2024, ShipBee is a digital logistics platform powered by AI, offering end-to-end solutions through a unified system.  

In an interview with Inc. Arabia, Raafat, who is also the CEO of ShipBee, said that his company is transforming the logistics sector through a tech-first model. “ShipBee is revolutionizing the logistics industry with a first-of-its-kind, pure logistics technology platform," he said. "This one-stop shop marketplace seamlessly connects businesses and consumers with logistics service providers. We don’t own fleets or trucks; instead, we empower both the demand and supply sides through cutting-edge technology.” 

According to Raafat, what sets ShipBee apart from traditional logistics platforms is its marketplace-first model and end-to-end digital experience. The platform offers businesses and consumers a streamlined digital platform where they can quickly compare, book, and schedule logistics services, with real-time information on availability and pricing.  

“Unlike traditional logistics platforms, ShipBee is the first on-demand, end-to-end logistics marketplace in the region," Raafat said. "Think Booking.com, but for shipping, real-time booking, and price comparison for all logistics services, from first mile to last mile. Most platforms just connect supply and demand. ShipBee goes further by using AI to make the entire shipping process faster, smarter, and more efficient.”

Raafat also highlighted the company’s customer-centric approach. “Others focus on filling trucks," he noted. "We focus on better delivery outcomes—faster, more affordable, and more eco-friendly, no matter who handles the job.” Meanwhile, on the supply side, ShipBee helps logistics providers modernize their operations and scale more efficiently. “We’re essentially ‘Uber-ing’ the logistics industry, providing the tools for logistics providers to modernize and scale,” Raafat said. 

Central to ShipBee’s appeal is its strong value proposition: enabling partners to expand their customer base and streamline operations through digital tools. “We’re not trying to replace logistics providers; we’re here to empower them with tech that scales their business,” he said. This collaborative mindset reflects ShipBee’s broader mission—leveraging technology and partnerships to transform traditional logistics into a more agile, data-driven infrastructure. “[These tools] expand our service coverage and delivery capacity, they boost customer trust and credibility, and they help us build a smarter, more reliable logistics ecosystem,” Raafat explained. 

The ShipBee team. Courtesy ShipBee.

Raafat said that ShipBee first validated its solution through competitions like the Qatar Development Bank Innovation Hackathon in July 2023, after which it raised funds and received support from QDB as well. It also won the Idea Camp Hackathon from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s Digital Incubation Center in Qatar.

The company also established early partnerships with major players, including the Al Hajiri-founded Snoonu, Qatar Post, the country’s official postal service, and DHL, a global logistics leader, which significantly bolstered confidence in its solution and fueled its growth. “Partnering with top players like Snoonu, Qatar Post, DHL, and more big and government players early on came down to one thing: solving real problems with the right solution, even before scratching a single line of code,” he said.  

Commenting on the new investment, Raafat said that the company will deploy the funding to accelerate both technology development and regional expansion efforts. “With our pre-seed funding secured, our immediate priorities are focused on scaling both technology and reach,” he explained. On the technology side, the team is focused on enhancing ShipBee’s AI engine to improve real-time matching, pricing, and route optimization. It is also working on building a more intuitive user experience tailored for both shippers and logistics providers. In addition, ShipBee plans to expand its platform integrations to support a broader range of delivery modes and logistics partners. 

ShipBee’s growth strategy is deeply connected to Qatar’s ambition of becoming a leading global logistics hub as outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030. This alignment also underscores the company’s dedication to sustainable innovation. “Our AI-driven approach promotes greener, more efficient logistics in line with Qatar’s goals for sustainability and smart infrastructure,” Raafat stated. 

At the same time, Raafat revealed that the company is preparing to expand beyond Qatar, with an initial focus on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Efforts will also include onboarding more logistics partners to strengthen supply across the region and launching targeted campaigns to grow its user base of businesses and consumers. “Our goal is to make ShipBee the go-to logistics platform across the region; smart, simple, and scalable,” he added. 

Central to the company’s operations, he explained, is its use of AI, which he described as fundamental to ShipBee’s technology and operations. “At ShipBee, AI isn’t just an add-on; it’s built into our core. While others patch it onto old systems, we designed ShipBee to be AI-native from day one,” he said, noting that ShipBee utilizes AI to drive smarter, real-time logistics by matching demand with available carriers, optimizing routes and pricing, and keeping everything moving smoothly without manual coordination. 

Looking ahead, Raafat noted that the company has a clear vision for its future. “The future of logistics is digital, on-demand, and data-driven,” he shared. “We stay ahead by building AI-first tech, focusing on real-time booking, and working closely with partners to adapt fast and keep improving.” 

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