Automotive
Saudi Wealth Fund Leads Fundraising for Online Used Car Trader
(Bloomberg) — A unit of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is leading a $35 million funding round for SellAnyCar.com as the Dubai-based online car trader plans to expand in the kingdom.
Sanabil Investments is backing the start-up’s latest fundraising, along with Gulf Investment Corp. and Olayan Financing Co., Chief Executive Officer Saygin Yalcin said in an interview. Evercore Inc. is advising SellAnyCar.com, he said.
“Expansion in Saudi Arabia is going to be the number one use for these funds, and this will really accelerate growth,” said Yalcin. “We will be twice as big in Saudi Arabia as we are in the United Arab Emirates in the next 18 months.”
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is investing in regional tech start-ups as the kingdom seeks to diversify its economy and draw firms to the country. The fund has invested in Uber Technologies Inc. and Dubai-based business-tycoon Mohamed Alabbar’s e-commerce firm Noon. It also set up a $1.1 billion fund of funds to invest in venture capital and private equity.
Tech Deals
SellAnyCar.com, an online marketplace for used cars, has seen a pick up in activity after a regional economic slowdown led to a drop in new car sales. The company is already profitable, Yalcin said, declining to give details.
The fundraising follows a record year for venture capital in the Middle East and North Africa. Almost 600 start-ups in the Middle East received more than $700 million in funding last year, according to a MAGNiTT report.
Uber agreed to buy Middle East rival Careem Inc. for $3.1 billion last year. Music streaming app Anghami is considering hiring JPMorgan Chase & Co. to raise fresh capital, and online baby shop Mumzworld is also weighing a new funding round, people familiar with the matter have said.
-
OER Magazines1 month ago
OER, September 2024
-
Alamaliktistaad Magazines2 months ago
Al-iktisaad, September 24
-
Uncategorized4 weeks ago
Oman Oil Marketing Company partners with Ihsaan Association to support its activities
-
Commodities1 month ago
Gold Rangebound as Investors Brace for Key US Economic Data
-
Banking & Finance1 month ago
Apple Pay Officially Launched in Oman
-
Oil & Gas4 weeks ago
OQEP Appoints United Securities as Liquidity Provider Ahead of Landmark MSX Listing
-
Investment1 month ago
With Over RO600M in Foreign Investments, Future Fund Oman Unveils the First Batch of Investment Projects with an Overall Value of RO830M+
-
Lifestyle1 month ago
Royal Opera House Muscat Welcomes First Shows of its 2024/25 Season