ORA Technologies, a fast-growing Moroccan startup aiming to build a comprehensive super-app, has acquired Casablanca-based last-mile delivery company Cathedis for an undisclosed amount. This strategic move marks a significant step in ORA’s mission to create a fully integrated digital platform that combines e-commerce, financial services, and logistics under one roof.
Founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Omar Alami, ORA Technologies has quickly gained traction in Morocco’s digital economy. The company’s flagship app, ORA, offers a wide array of services, including:
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfers
- An e-commerce marketplace
- On-demand services
- Chat and social networking features
One of ORA’s standout offerings is its food delivery service, Kooul, which has attracted over 15,000 active users in just ten months. Meanwhile, its mobile wallet solution, ORA Cash, has surpassed 50,000 registered accounts within five months of launch. The wallet is also being adopted by delivery riders to digitize Morocco’s traditionally cash-heavy delivery system, particularly in the booming cash-on-delivery segment.
ORA’s rapid growth has been fueled by strong investor backing. In March, the startup secured $1.9 million in a pre-Series A round, followed by a $7.5 million Series A round in July. These funds have been earmarked to expand ORA’s last-mile delivery capabilities and enhance its digital payment infrastructure.
The acquisition of Cathedis, which itself had recently completed a Series A funding round, gives ORA direct control over a vital part of the logistics chain. By internalizing delivery operations, ORA aims to streamline the entire customer journey, from placing an order on the Kooul platform to making a digital payment via ORA Cash, and finally receiving the product through Cathedis’ delivery network.
This move positions ORA Technologies as a formidable player in Morocco’s digital transformation, offering a unified platform that bridges fintech, e-commerce, and logistics in a way few regional startups have achieved.
