- Qme’s $3M seed funding, led by AHOY, will enhance its AI queuing platform, expand operations, and drive partnerships across MENA and Africa.
- The startup reduces wait times by 88% (from 116 to 14 minutes) and cuts no-show rates to 1%, digitizing paper-based systems in key sectors.
- AHOY’s partnership provides tech expertise and market access, aligning with a 2030 initiative to support 10,000 entrepreneurs in MENA.
Egyptian B2B SaaS startup Qme has secured $3 million in seed funding. The round was led by AHOY, a multisector technology company, with participation from several GCC-based angel investors, marking a crucial step in revolutionizing customer service management across the Middle East and North Africa.
Founded in 2020 by Maged Negm, Qme has developed an AI-powered digital queuing solution already making waves in the region. The platform addresses a critical issue in MENA, where inefficient queuing systems result in people losing an average of six months standing in line. Traditional appointment booking methods, particularly phone bookings which account for 92% of appointments in key sectors, have historically led to a staggering 31% no-show rate.
Since its commercial launch in Q4 2023, Qme has demonstrated remarkable success in transforming customer experiences. The platform has served over 100,000 customers across healthcare, banking, and government sectors, achieving impressive results by reducing average waiting times from 116 minutes to just 14 minutes. Perhaps more notably, the company has managed to slash phone booking no-show rates to less than 1%, while simultaneously contributing to environmental sustainability by eliminating the need for paper-based queuing systems.
The partnership with AHOY brings more than just capital to the table. As a regional tech pioneer with ambitions of becoming a decacorn, AHOY offers Qme access to cutting-edge technology and extensive market expertise. Jamil Shinawi, AHOY’s CEO, will join Qme’s Advisors Committee, bringing valuable insights to guide the company’s expansion strategy.
“Our partnership with AHOY is a major milestone,” said Maged Negm, CEO and Co-Founder of Qme. “It strengthens our ability to optimize movement in dynamic, real-world scenarios while transforming customer experiences. AHOY’s operational excellence and robust tech stack are invaluable as we scale in vibrant markets.”
The collaboration extends beyond traditional investment boundaries. Qme has been integrated into AHOY’s Startup Builder Initiative, an ambitious program aimed at empowering 10,000 entrepreneurs and supporting 30,000 software developers across the MENA region by 2030. This initiative focuses on driving innovation in critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation, aviation, and smart city development.
With the new funding, Qme plans to enhance its technology stack, expand its operational reach, and forge deeper partnerships across the region. The company’s success in digitizing queue management systems has already saved an estimated 50,000 square meters of paper, demonstrating its commitment to both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
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