Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – August 7, 2024 – Blend, a Saudi Arabian startup founded in 2023, has successfully raised SAR 5 million in a Pre-Seed investment round. This funding, backed by a group of angel investors, is set to propel the development of innovative tech solutions tailored for the restaurant, cafe, hypermarket, and cloud kitchen sectors.
Pioneering Integration Technology
Blend, established by Omar bin Sultan Al-Lihyan, offers a groundbreaking system that integrates multiple food delivery platforms into a single, streamlined interface. This allows restaurant owners to manage orders and items more efficiently while tracking reports with ease. Currently, Blend has successfully integrated with five local delivery applications.
Founder and CEO’s Vision
In a press release, Omar bin Sultan Al-Lihyan, Founder and CEO of Blend, emphasized the transformative developments within the Saudi market. He stated, “As the only local Saudi company serving this sector, we have a deep understanding of the real challenges and technical needs that business owners face when dealing with delivery applications.”
Ambitious Expansion Plans
Al-Lihyan also outlined Blend’s ambitious expansion plans. The company aims to extend its services to other Gulf countries, including Kuwait and Bahrain, by the end of next year, with a goal of reaching all beneficiaries in the region by the end of 2026.
Sectoral Changes and Vision 2030
These advancements align with significant changes in the restaurant and cafe sector, driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This initiative seeks to attract tourists and boost the population in the Riyadh region to 15 million people. Al-Lihyan noted the market’s potential for new entrants, revealing that 30% of Blend’s customers have not yet commenced their operations.
Support and Acceleration Programs
Blend’s journey has been bolstered by its participation in several support programs for startups. The company has graduated from the Misk Accelerator and the MVPLab Accelerator under the National Information Technology Development Program. Additionally, Blend maintains a presence at the Zaka Center under Monsha’at.
This substantial investment and Blend’s strategic direction underscore its potential to revolutionize the food service industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
