UAE's YallaMarket Eyes Expansion After USD 2.3 Million Pre-Seed Round

UAE-based on-demand grocery delivery startup YallaMarket has raised USD 2.3 million in a pre-Seed round led by Wamda and a number of angel investors in Dubai, with participation from various MENA-focused angel investors. The freshly-acquired funds will fuel the startup’s growth by establishing 100 new dark stores in Dubai and Adu Dhabi, and support its expansion into Qatar next year. Along with its local and regional operational expansion, the last-mile delivery service will also launch a line of ready-to-eat meals that can be ordered through the app.

Founded in 2021, YallaMarket currently operates in Dubai in select areas, and offers an expedited delivery time of 15 minutes. The startup is able to achieve this through its complex network of strategically located dark stores and warehouses. It has also adopted a hyper-localized approach supported by an environmentally-friendly network of its own E-scooters and bicycles. With quick commerce leading the new retail revolution, YallaMarket looks to capitalize on the untapped potential of this burgeoning market.

Currently, YallaMarket offers 3000 SKUs that are optimized based on customer projections. Along with building its own fleet of couriers and transport, the startup brings costs margins even lower by purchasing items directly from brands and distributors, increasing the revenue margin opportunities per item.