News

Lebanon’s Beirut Digital District (BDD) Partners With Zoho

The collaboration will help entrepreneurs and startups in the BDD community during uncertain economic times, offering full access to Zoho’s comprehensive suite of cloud applications.

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

Nour Nasir

lebanon's beirut digital district bdd partners with zoho

Leading cloud software provider Zoho has announced that it will be teaming up with Beirut Digital District (BDD), a unique digital and creative community hub in Lebanon, to support local entrepreneurship during a time of increased economic disruption.

For those unaware of the current situation in Lebanon, an unprecedented series of events has led to a collapse of the local banking system and a rapid devaluation of the national currency, leaving the nation in a state of turmoil. Despite the bleak outlook, Beirut Digital District has remained a beacon of hope for startups and entrepreneurs, and continued to champion innovation and winning growth strategies.

As part of the collaboration, BDD network member businesses will gain access to Zoho’s complete suite of digital solutions, including accounting, marketing, communication, and other productivity software, using a complementary digital wallet loaded with up to $1,000 of credit.

“We are thrilled to kick off this partnership with BDD […] helping them improve efficiency, reduce costs and quickly adapt to changing market needs. Through this partnership, we aim to digitally empower Lebanon’s businesses with our latest, scalable, and cost-effective solutions, as well as serve the community by sharing our expertise,” says Ali Shabdar, Regional Director, MEA at Zoho.

Also Read: The UAE Has Launched A Program To Assist 100 Startups

So what are the benefits of the Zoho collaboration for Beirut Digital District members? First and foremost, Zoho’s cloud platform offers a comprehensive suite of services, allowing businesses to run their entire operation from a central interface, with seamless integration and without multiple vendor contracts and compatibility hassles. User experience is a high priority for Zoho, along with a privacy-centric approach and a welcome lack of advertising.

If you’re a Lebanese reader keen to learn more about eligibility for the Zoho deal, the company has built a registration page containing further information and a form for businesses to submit their applications.

News

Mamo Completes $3.4M Funding Round To Enhance Fintech Services

The startup will use the influx of cash to expand into Saudi Arabia and across the wider GCC while improving its product offering.

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Nour Nasir

Mamo

UAE-based fintech Mamo has announced the completion of a $3.4 million funding round that will help the startup extend its market presence and improve its product offering. Investors included 4DX Ventures, the Dubai Future District Fund and Cyfr Capital.

Mamo’s platform offers “payment collection, corporate cards and expense management” to help small and medium-sized businesses consolidate and streamline their operations. With the latest influx of capital, Mamo will further develop its comprehensive suite of services and begin testing its product lines in Saudi Arabia, further extending its footprint across the GCC.

Imad Gharazeddine, co-founder and CEO of Mamo, stated: “We’ve been in the market for a while now and are incredibly proud of what our team has achieved. The holistic and expansive nature of our product offering has helped us continue to grow sustainably. This additional funding will allow us to reach our medium-term goals even faster. The support from new and existing investors is a testament to our strong expertise and the ability to deliver on our customer promise”.

Daniel Marlo, General Partner of lead investor 4DX Ventures, added: “We have immense trust in Imad’s vision, leadership and Mamo’s innovative approach to provide a user-friendly and comprehensive financial solution for SMEs that makes financial management more accessible and efficient. We are proud to partner with them and support their mission”.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

Amer Fatayer, Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund’s investment team, also commented: “Mamo’s localized product lines serve as an infrastructure for SME payments and spend management in UAE, a segment that is underserved by the country’s current banking infrastructure. The team has taken a product-first approach to consolidating SMEs’ financial journeys and building a fintech solution deeply embedded in a business’s core operations”.

To date, Mamo has raised around $13 million in investment funding and now boasts a team of 30 people. The company’s intuitive financial services platform has allowed over 1,000 businesses to consolidate their financial operations and significantly reduce payment fees.