📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

With Fetchr Closing A US$41 Million Series B Round, Co-Founder Joy Ajlouny Turns The Tide For Female 'Treps Globally With Fetchr closing US$41 million in its Series B round, co-founder Joy Ajlouny is turning the tide for female entrepreneurship.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Fetchr announced today that it has raised US$41 million in a Series B funding round led by US-based VC firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with other investors including Majid Al Futtaim Holding, Nokia Growth Partners, Raed Ventures, Iliad Partners, BECO Capital, YBA Kanoo, Venture Souq and Swicorp. This announcement comes two years after Fetchr's last funding round in 2015, which also had NEA lead a $11 million Series A investment in the tech startup.

While the funding by itself is something for the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem to cheer about, Fetchr's achievement is particularly noteworthy when you consider that it's a company co-founded by a female entrepreneur, Joy Ajlouny. A report by PitchBook earlier this year had noted that in 2016, the percentage of global VC deals for companies with at least one female founder was just 16.8%- which makes Ajlouny a key figure in turning this tide around for women entrepreneurs around the globe, a cause that she is particularly passionate about.

Entrepreneur Middle East talked to Ajlouny about this topic a few weeks ago for #EntMETalks—check out excerpts from the conversation in the video above.

Related: Infographic: Female Entrepreneurship In The Middle East

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

News and Trends

PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs, and Partners Come Together To Launch The Mega Green Accelerator With Eight Startups From The MENA Region

At the end of the program later this year, one winning company will be awarded US$30,000 in funds to continue its expansion.

Entrepreneurs

"We Got Funded!" UAE-Based Keyper Raises US$4 Million In A Pre-Series A Round, And An Additional $30 Million In Sukuk Financing

With this influx of funds, Keyper is set to further digitize the UAE's rental ecosystem, while also allocating some amount towards innovating its rent-now-pay-later solution.

News and Trends

UAE-Based Param Labs Secures US$7 Million In A Funding Round Led By Animoca Brands, With Support From Delphi Ventures, Mechanism Capital, And Others

Strategic investments were made by Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu and FaZe Clan co-founder Richard "FaZe Banks" Bengtson as well.

Starting a Business

From The UK To The GCC: The Journey Of Aramas International Lawyers Founder Samara Iqbal

"Once the business is set up, it is then marketing the brand, and then networking, to make sure you are getting the work. Also, working with local agencies, officials, other lawyers and the government- it is all challenging, but truly rewarding!"

Leadership

How to Harness the Power of Authentic Storytelling to Become a More Effective and Inspiring Leader

Storytelling enhances business leadership by inspiring a culture of authenticity and trust through sharing relevant personal stories.