Egyptian B2B SaaS startup Qme has just raised $3 million in a seed funding round led by AHOY—a multisector technology company from the GCC—marking a significant milestone in the region’s digital transformation. As a forward-thinking, AI-driven platform, Qme is on a mission to tackle one of MENA’s persistent problems: inefficient queuing systems and outdated appointment booking methods that cost people precious time.
For many in the region, long queues and cumbersome phone bookings are everyday challenges. Studies have shown that individuals in MENA can lose up to six months of their lives waiting in line. With 92% of appointments in key sectors still made by phone, the no-show rate soars to 31%, causing widespread inefficiencies. Qme’s innovative solution promises to cut through these inefficiencies by digitizing the queuing and booking process, thus streamlining customer interactions and significantly reducing wait times.
Since its commercial launch in Q4 2023, Qme has already served over 100,000 customers across healthcare, banking, and government sectors. The impact has been nothing short of transformative: average waiting times have plummeted from 116 minutes to just 14 minutes. Furthermore, the platform has slashed phone booking no-show rates to below 1% and replaced cumbersome paper-based systems, saving an estimated 50,000 square meters of paper in the process.
The partnership with AHOY is more than just a financial boost. AHOY, known for its advanced solutions in logistics, aviation, and traffic management, brings with it a wealth of technological expertise and market insights. “Our partnership with AHOY is a major milestone,” said Maged Negm, CEO and Co-Founder of Qme. He further added that AHOY’s operational excellence and robust tech stack are invaluable assets as Qme scales in dynamic markets. Adding to the excitement, Jamil Shinawi, CEO of AHOY, has joined Qme’s Advisors Committee, signaling a deep commitment to the startup’s long-term success.
Beyond immediate operational enhancements, Qme is set to benefit from AHOY’s Startup Builder Initiative—a program aimed at empowering 10,000 entrepreneurs and supporting 30,000 software developers across MENA by 2030. This initiative not only accelerates innovation across critical sectors like transportation, aviation, and smart city development but also positions Qme to become a decacorn in the making.
With the new funding, Qme plans to further enhance its technology stack, expand its operational reach, and forge deeper partnerships within the region. For civil society, businesses, and governments alike, Qme’s innovative approach could redefine customer interactions and service delivery, turning a daily headache into a streamlined, efficient process that saves time, reduces waste, and boosts economic productivity across MENA.
