News

The Cloud Secures $12M For GCC And European Expansion

The startup is affiliated with Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, and has ambitious plans to evolve the global food tech sector.

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2024

Nour Nasir

The Cloud

The Cloud, a startup in the food technology sector affiliated with Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, has revealed the successful initial closure of its Series B funding round, securing $12 million out of its total target of $30 million with the help of Aluna Partners and a fresh investment from MENA Moonshots.

The Cloud has also initiated a strategic takeover of KBOX, a leading food tech startup based in the UK. The move gives The Cloud access to an additional 200 UK establishments, and the firm also has ambitious plans to reshape the virtual dining domain across the UAE, the broader GCC region, and Europe.

georges karam ceo the cloud

Georges Karam, CEO of The Cloud, was enthusiastic about the funding round, stating: “Our Series B funding and the KBOX acquisition reinforce our position as innovators in the global food tech landscape. Having raised a total of $22 million, we are now focused on enhancing our market presence in the UAE and beyond”.

Meanwhile, Stefano Sciacca, Managing Director at Aluna Partners, added, “The online food delivery market is a megatrend that is here to stay. We believe that The Cloud will gain significant market share in the UK market through the acquisition of KBOX. Having looked at many food tech business models, we believe The Cloud is emerging as a global market leader and are excited to support such a fast-growing venture”.

Also Read: Fintech In The UAE Is Set To Add $900 Per Capita By 2030

The additional capital secured from the Series B financing will play a pivotal role in expediting growth for The Cloud, which already boasts a strong presence in seven countries and 91 cities, coupled with aspirations to extend to 8,000 locations by the close of 2027.

The Cloud is now on course for a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, heralding a new phase of expansion for the virtual chain in the EMEA region. As the company progresses along this growth trajectory, it remains committed to revolutionizing the global dining landscape, empowering restaurateurs, and setting new standards for excellence and innovation in the food sector.

News

Foodics Acquires Online-Ordering Specialist & Invests In 3 Startups

The deal with UK-based Solo Venture was made at LEAP 2025, and will help create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants.

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

foodics acquires online-ordering specialist and invests in 3 startups

MENA-based restaurant and payments technology provider Foodics has fully acquired Solo Venture, a UK-based company specializing in self-ordering kiosks and white-label online ordering solutions. The deal was reached at this year’s LEAP 2025 event in Riyadh and is part of Foodics’ strategy to create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants and catering firms.

Solo’s technology includes AI-driven self-service solutions, simplifying ordering and increasing profit margins. By integrating Solo into its platform, Foodics will soon be able to offer restaurants a comprehensive suite of tools covering everything from dine-in management to payments and analytics.

Ahmad Al-Zaini, CEO and Co-Founder of Foodics explained: “This acquisition is a significant step in our mission to build the most comprehensive restaurant management platform in MENA and beyond. To further support our ecosystem and the future of tech in the F&B sector, we are allocating $100M in strategic acquisitions and investments in Fintech, AI, and other transformative technologies over the coming three years”.

Beyond the Solo acquisition, Foodics is also backing three startups as part of its wider expansion plan:

Norma: A Greek AI-powered data analytics firm that enables business professionals to generate insights instantly, eliminating the need for technical expertise.
Add: A specialized accounting platform designed for small and medium-sized restaurants to simplify financial reporting and payroll management.
Arzaq Plus: A smart food and beverage supply chain platform that optimizes sourcing and logistics while introducing a “Buy Now, Pay Later” feature to the Foodics platform.

Also Read: Taager Secures $6.75M To Expand Social eCommerce In MENA

Anas Alghanim, Foodics’ Director of Corporate Development, emphasized, “At Foodics, every investment we make is aimed at creating valuable solutions that drive growth and deliver tangible success, ensuring that we empower our partners and customers to shape the future of the industry”.

The LEAP 2025 announcement coincides with the celebration of Foodics’ 10th anniversary. After supporting over 30,000 food and beverage businesses across 30 countries, Foodics continues to push the boundaries of restaurant management technology, helping companies streamline operations and enhance customer experience.