Qme, an Egyptian B2B SaaS startup, has raised US$3 million in a seed funding round with participation from AHOY, a leading multi-sector technology company, alongside a group of strategic angel investors in the GCC region.
Qme is an AI-driven platform addressing a critical issue in MENA, where inefficient queuing systems and outdated appointment booking methods cause individuals to lose an average of six months of their lives standing in line. Moreover, the reliance on phone bookings, which account for 92% of appointments in key sectors, leads to a no-show rate of 31%, creating further inefficiencies.
“Our partnership with AHOY is a major milestone, as it strengthens our ability to optimize movement in dynamic, real-world scenarios while transforming customer experiences. AHOY’s operational excellence and robust tech stack are invaluable as we scale in vibrant markets,” said Maged Negm, CEO and Co-Founder of Qme. “I’m super excited to have Jamil Shinawi, AHOY’s CEO, joining Qme Advisors Committee. Our partnership with AHOY marks a pivotal moment in our journey.”
Since its commercial launch in Q4 2023, Qme has made remarkable strides. The company has already served over 100,000 customers in the healthcare, banking, and government sectors, reducing waiting times from 116 minutes to just 14 minutes. Qme has also slashed phone booking no-show rates to below 1%, while transitioning paper-based queuing systems to digital alternatives, saving an estimated 50,000 square meters of paper.
“Qme’s platform aligns perfectly with our ethos of reducing friction in everyday processes,” said Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-Founder of AHOY. “Their ability to streamline the customer journey resonates with AHOY’s mission of solving real-world inefficiencies through innovation. The collaboration leverages AHOY’s multi-sector expertise and visionary approach to help Qme penetrate complex markets across the GCC and African regions and advance globally.”
The new funding will allow Qme to enhance its technology stack, expand its operational reach, and forge deeper partnerships. Together with AHOY, Qme aims to redefine how businesses and governments interact with customers, paving the way for a future where inefficiencies are a thing of the past.
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