Rekaz closes $5 million seed to expand AI-driven SMB platform
Founded by Abdulrahman Alomran and Abdulaziz Alkharashi in 2017, Rekaz offers an all-in-one platform for service-based SMBs—including gyms, salons, clinics, and home service providers—covering scheduling, payments, subscriptions, and customer engagement.
The new capital will be used to deepen product development, enhance AI capabilities, and expand across GCC markets.
Press release:
Rekaz, the Saudi-based software platform transforming how service businesses operate, has raised $5 million in seed funding to scale its product and expand across the region. The round was led by COTU Ventures, with participation from Impact46, Shorooq, Numrah Capital and angel investors
Rekaz offers an end-to-end system for service-based businesses such as gyms, salons, and mobile providers. From scheduling and subscriptions to payments and client management, Rekaz replaces fragmented workflows and manual coordination with a streamlined, intelligent platform. Businesses can also launch their own branded booking websites and mobile apps to grow online.
Over 7,000 businesses have used Rekaz to process more than 1 million appointments and subscriptions, showing strong traction among single-location operators and growing multi-branch businesses.
'Our mission is to do for service SMBs what Shopify did for e-commerce,' said Abdulrahman Alomran, CEO and co-founder of Rekaz. 'Most service businesses are still operating through scattered tools, spreadsheets, and manual work. We're building the infrastructure they've been missing.'
Rekaz combines a purpose-built internal system with AI-powered insights and personalised onboarding flows that adapt to each business type. This approach allows merchants to get started quickly and run more efficiently, with less friction and fewer moving parts.
'Rekaz is solving a massive and overlooked problem,' said Amir Farha, General Partner at COTU Ventures. 'Service businesses are the economic backbone of the region, and they've been left behind by traditional software. Abdulrahman and Abdulaziz are building the right platform at the right time.'
'We've designed Rekaz to be flexible, intelligent, and deeply aligned with how service businesses actually work,' added Abdulaziz Alkharashi, CTO and co-founder.
'Rekaz is a game-changer for the service economy in MENA — bringing digitisation, operational efficiency, and data-driven growth to thousands of businesses that have historically been left behind,' said Yousef Albabtain, Partner at Shorooq. 'We believe Rekaz has the potential to become the foundational layer for service-based SMBs across the region.'
The company will use the funding to deepen product development, enhance AI capabilities, and grow its presence across the GCC and wider markets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
3 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
New BenQ PD Series Monitors Empower Designers with Color Precision from Concept to Creation
BenQ, a global leader in visual display technology, has introduced two additions to its PD Designer Monitor Series, purpose-built to meet the exacting demands of 3D artists, VFX animators, concept designers, and game designers. The 27' 5K PD2730S and 32' 4K 144Hz PD3226G deliver industry-leading color accuracy, exceptional dark tone reproduction, and advanced color management solutions to enhance workflow efficiency for intricate scene design and character concept development, empower creators to produce photorealistic scenes and develop character concepts with unmatched detail, clarity, and visual fidelity.'Our new PD Series models are designed to make visual creations easier for creative professionals with 'Always Accurate and Consistent Colors,'" said Manish Bakshi, Managing Director, BenQ Middle East. "By addressing color inconsistencies, shadow precision, and workflow efficiency, our groundbreaking monitors deliver unmatched accuracy and performance for 3D rendering, VFX production, and game design to bring your vision to life.'Engineered to be the ultimate 5K color accuracy monitor for 3D artists, PD2730S offers 5K resolution, 218 PPI pixel density and 2000:1 high contrast ratio to deliver unmatched clarity and refined shadow details for pixel-perfect workflows. Featuring exclusive dark tone reproduction, PD2730S and PD3226G provide vivid clarity with richly nuanced shadows, offering gaming visuals with unprecedented depth and professional monitors often compromise refresh rate for color accuracy, PD3226G features 144Hz high refresh with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology for motion clarity to overcome the limitation without sacrificing color fidelity. As the world's first 4K 144Hz color accuracy monitor, PD3226G is a game-changer for gaming character designers and studios, instantly displaying every stroke on a tablet precisely to enable seamless scrolling, fluid animations, and pristine color fidelity. PD Series also benefits from BenQ AQCOLOR technology, delivering out-of-box color accuracy and comprehensive color management solutions tailored for professional addition to its exceptional display performance, PD2730S and PD3226G are equipped with advanced Mac-compatible features designed to elevate productivity and streamline creative workflows. As a trusted monitor expert for Mac users, BenQ ensures seamless integration and intuitive operation across Mac devices. Thunderbolt 4 connectivity transfers data, images, and video at ultra-fast 40Gbps speeds, supporting one 8K or dual 5K displays Series users can extend their workspaces with dual 4K or 5K 60Hz monitors via daisy chaining for multitasking, rendering precision, and enhanced productivity. Their integrated KVM switch enables convenient control of dual systems for switching between PC and Mac-specific workflows or managing GPU- and CPU-intensive tasks. As a finishing touch, BenQ Display Pilot 2 software allows interface customization with smart tools like ICCsync and Desktop Partition to streamline tasks and enhance workflow flexibility. The ultimate solution for 3D artists, BenQ PD Designer Monitor Series offers precise color rendering and tailored color management for long-term accuracy and consistency in creative workflows. From initial collaboration to final delivery, PD Series empowers creators to achieve visual precision by maintaining color fidelity and streamlining processes, setting a new benchmark for design professionals. To learn more about BenQ monitors, please visit
Al Bawaba
4 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Volkswagen Oman announces exclusive benefits for Certified Used Car buyers at Premium Motors
Volkswagen Oman, represented by Premium Motors, is making the purchase of a pre-owned Volkswagen more rewarding than ever with a series of exclusive benefits for customers. With a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and durability, Volkswagen Certified Used Cars offer exceptional value, and now, buyers can enjoy added perks when purchasing from official Volkswagen showrooms in part of this offer, customers who purchase a used Volkswagen from Premium Motors will receive free registration, free insurance for the first year, and free window tinting, enhancing both convenience and cost savings. Additionally, every customer will enjoy free paint protection, ensuring their Volkswagen retains its pristine look for longer.A wide variety of certified used Volkswagen models are currently available, catering to different preferences and budgets. Among the available selections is the elegant 2021 Passat, with an affordable monthly EMI of OMR 55, combining classic design with premium comfort. Sportier options include the 2022 GTI P2, available at an EMI of OMR 99, and the high-performance 2023 Golf R, available for OMR 127 per month, both delivering exhilarating driving experiences for those seeking a practical yet stylish SUV, several Tiguan variants are offered, including the 2023 Tiguan 1.4 Life, with two models available at an EMI of OMR 58 each, and the more powerful 2023 Tiguan 2.0 Life, offered at a monthly EMI of OMR 57. Families in search of space and comfort may gravitate toward the 2023 Teramont RL, which comes with a manageable EMI of OMR 107, or consider stepping up to the refined 2023 Touareg at OMR 125 per month. For the ultimate in sophistication, the 2024 Touareg Elegance, with a monthly EMI of OMR 163, represents the pinnacle of Volkswagen's luxury SUV about the advantages of buying a Volkswagen Certified Used Car from an official dealership, Mr Christian Nehme, General Manager of Premium Motors, emphasized the reliability and trust that comes with purchasing from an authorised showroom. 'Every Volkswagen is built with high-quality German engineering, making it a durable and safe choice. When you buy a Certified Used Car from our showroom, you get the added peace of mind that the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and meets our high standards. Along with these exclusive benefits, customers get even more value from their purchase.'Volkswagen Oman continues to provide unmatched value and peace of mind for customers looking to own a pre-owned Volkswagen. The special benefits ensure that every customer enjoys a high-quality, worry-free ownership experience. For those interested in purchasing a used Volkswagen, visiting a Volkswagen Oman showroom is the best way to explore the available options and take advantage of these limited-time benefits.
Al Bawaba
4 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
NTT DATA appoints Vinesh Maharaj as the Director of Smart Manufacturing & Industry for the Middle East Africa Region
NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and technology services, has announced the appointment of Vinesh Maharaj, as the Director of Smart Manufacturing & Industry for the Middle East Africa Region. This appointment marks NTT DATA's continued commitment to doubling down in key verticals, with Manufacturing being the third, following the successful launch of its Retail and FSI practice in brings 30 years of experience in industrial automation, IT/OT integration, Manufacturing Execution Systems, and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Predictive AI technologies. A professionally registered engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and a Certified Director with the Institute of Directors of South Africa (IoDSA), he has held a variety of leadership roles and extensive experience across the energy, automotive, consumer goods, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Most recently, he served as a Management Consultant at a Big 4 firm. He also serves on the Exco and advises the Board of Directors of the Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC).Alan Turnley-Jones, CEO of NTT DATA Middle East and Africa, said: 'This appointment underscores our commitment to strengthening leadership in high-potential growth markets, while I continue to drive our broader strategic expansion across the MEA region.'Manufacturing represents one of the most promising frontiers for digital transformation. Globally, the industry is valued at more than $16 trillion and plays a critical role in driving GDP. In South Africa, manufacturing contributes around 13% to GDP, led by sub-sectors such as automotive, food and beverages, and machinery. Across the African continent, the sector currently makes up roughly 10% of GDP, but this figure is expected to rise as localisation strategies, industrial policy reforms, and digital investment begin to take many manufacturing organisations face persistent challenges in their digital transformation journeys. From legacy infrastructure and fragmented systems to evolving cybersecurity risks and talent shortages, the path to Industry 4.0 is complex and often constrained by siloed decision-making. At the same time, the opportunity for transformation is immense. Manufacturers now have the tools to unlock greater operational efficiency through automation and predictive AI, build more resilient and connected supply chains, and integrate IT and OT environments to enable real-time, data-driven is also rising up the agenda, as companies look to embed environmentally responsible practices into their operations through smart, data-led insights. With Maharaj's leadership and NTT DATA's proven global capabilities, the company is well positioned to help manfacturers navigate these challenges, accelerate their digital maturity, and strengthen their competitiveness on the world stage.
