News

Egyptian Digital Lending Platform Blnk Raises $32 Million

Blnk, an Egyptian fintech startup that enables access to instant consumer credit, has raised millions in equity and debt funding.

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2022

Nour Nasir

Blnk

Launched in October 2021 by Amr Sultan and Tarek Elsheikh, Blnk is an Egypt-based digital lending platform that “empowers merchants of all sizes to instantly underwrite and finance their customer’s purchases at the point of sale”. In a recent round of funding, the company managed to raise $23.7 million in equity and a further $8.3 million in securitized bond issuance. The funding will help support the ongoing development of the company’s AI-powered lending platform and aid with future expansion efforts.

For those unfamiliar with Blnk, the company offers credit for a wide range of products and services, with only a national ID required for application and decisions made in as little as 3 minutes. So far, Blnk has handed out over $20 million in loans, with installments ranging from 6 to 36 months.

“Our mission is to make it easier for more Egyptians to purchase the products and services they desire by offering inclusive and convenient consumer credit at the point of sale. We are delighted to have the backing of a great cohort of investors early in our journey. With their support, we believe we can drive financial inclusion in Egypt, as well as the wider Middle East and North Africa region,” says Amr Sultan, Co-founder, and CEO of Blnk.

Also Read: Pyypl Growth To Accelerate After $20 Million Investment

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Egypt is soon expected to become the second-largest economy in the MENA region by the end of this year. However, with only 4% of Egyptians having credit cards, consumers and businesses are unable to take full advantage of economic opportunities, with many finding it difficult to realize their full potential.

By providing inclusive access to financing for consumers across Egypt, Blnk is helping to drive growth and development in the Egyptian economy that would otherwise be difficult.

News

chatlyn Unveils Hospitality Chatbot At Arabian Travel Market 2024

The advanced AI software sets new industry standards and can understand and respond to detailed customer queries.

Published

21 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Nour Nasir

chatlyn

chatlyn, a leading provider of guest experience software for the travel and hospitality sector, has unveiled its latest AI chatbot at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 as part of a strategic expansion into the Middle East.

The new chatbot demonstrates exceptional proficiency in understanding natural language nuances and grammatical structures, and can accommodate various languages, including Arabic. The AI bot’s capability ensures prompt, accurate responses, benefiting hotels with diverse international guest lists and significantly reducing response times.

According to chatlyn, its latest creation has “the capacity to process up to 4,000 tokens and a doubled data capacity,” and is able to outperform competitors in depth and responsiveness during every interaction. Moreover, users can upload business PDFs to receive precise answers instantly, showcasing the chatbot’s effectiveness as a dynamic knowledge repository.

“During the BETA phase, we saw customers increase their success rate in resolving queries by fifteen times simply by uploading a PDF with their information and integrating the chatbot into their main communication channels,” explained Michael Urbanek, chatlyn’s CTO.

Also Read: Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE

Since its inception in late 2022, chatlyn has experienced rapid expansion, and now serves over 1,000 properties globally, including numerous renowned brands in the travel and hospitality sector.

The company’s product suite is focused on improving customer engagement in hospitality, featuring an omnichannel inbox, AI assistants, and Automation Studio, for seamless interaction across web chat, WhatsApp, email, and social media. This AI-powered platform enhances customer interactions, prioritizing satisfaction and operational efficiency.

chatlyn has already established a strong foothold in the Middle East, and now collaborates with various hospitality companies and properties, including GoMosafer, La Quinta by Wyndham, Luxury Bookings, and Amsaan Tours.