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.
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
NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency
The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.
Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl
— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024
The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.
Also Read: Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network
During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.
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