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CheckRewards Secures $1.2 Million Mitgo Investment
The cashback service uses machine-learning technology to help consumers access promotions and track their expenses.
CheckRewards, a cashback service that uses cutting-edge machine learning technology, is entering the MENA region after successfully launching Android and iOS apps in the UAE. Backed by a $1.2 million cash injection from the Mitgo Group, CheckRewards is set to redefine the cashback experience for shoppers and businesses in the Middle East and North Africa.
CheckRewards works as a smart shopping companion that assists with budget management. The app provides access to promotions, cashback rewards, and features receipt scanning and expenditure tracking to help users keep up with their finances. The startup plans to onboard 50 major retail and food brands, including Noon, Amazon, Sharaf DG, Samsung, Dyson, Starbucks, and H&M.
For businesses, CheckRewards allows better engagement with customers and the quick launch of promotions without complex technical integrations. Brands can precisely target specific audiences based on their preferences, boosting sales volumes and customer loyalty.
Alexander Bachmann, CEO of Mitgo Group, commented: “We recognize the immense potential within CheckRewards and firmly believe in their vision for the MENA market. This strategic collaboration is well-positioned to reshape the cashback landscape in the region, offering unparalleled opportunities for both consumers and businesses”.
Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2023
Artem Ostapenko, CEO of CheckRewards, added: “We are thrilled to introduce CheckRewards to the MENA region, where the demand for cashback services is on the rise. CheckRewards stands as a unique solution, presenting remarkable advertising opportunities, including geo-targeting and customer preference-based targeting. We are eager to transform the cashback experience for users and foster business growth in this dynamic region”.
The MENA region presents a tremendous opportunity for the new solution as the popularity of cashback services continues to grow. According to a Statista report, retail sales in the UAE alone were estimated at around US $74 billion and are forecasted to pass US $114 billion by 2026.
News
UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.