Kuwait's economy is seeing a rise in new companies across various sectors. These businesses range from modern technology platforms to companies in established fields like petrochemicals and air travel.
Companies in the consumer space are attracting significant investment, such as beauty e-commerce platform Boutiqaat with $45M in funding. Newer fintech players like Kem App are also emerging, alongside food delivery services like COFE App, which has raised $28.2M.
Below is our list of 50 Kuwait startups worth keeping an eye on.
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Get the Sheet for $50Kuwait Petroleum Corporation manages the full spectrum of Kuwait's oil and gas operations, from exploration and production to refining and international marketing. Through its various subsidiaries, the corporation maintains a significant presence in the global energy market and is pursuing a strategic transition towards renewable energy sources.
| Headquarters | Safat, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 1980 |
| Founders | Sudhakar Kamalanathan |
| Funding Amount | KWD300M |
| Startup Size | Enterprise Organization (5,001+) |
| Last Funding Status | Debt Financing |
| Top Investors | — |
COFE App operates a mobile marketplace that brings together international brands and local artisanal coffee shops. The app allows users to order for delivery or pickup, manage subscriptions, and purchase coffee beans and equipment.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Ali Al Ebrahim |
| Funding Amount | $28.2M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series B |
| Top Investors | Wa’ed Ventures, EWTP Arabia Capital, Cedar Mundi Ventures, KISP Ventures, Towell Holding International |
EQUATE Petrochemical Company is a global producer of petrochemicals that serve as essential building blocks for various consumer and industrial goods. The company is the world’s second-largest producer of Ethylene Glycol (EG), a key component in products like polyester fibers and antifreeze.
| Headquarters | Safat, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 1995 |
| Founders | — |
| Funding Amount | $750M |
| Startup Size | Major Organization (1,001-5,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Debt Financing |
| Top Investors | — |
Kem App built a payments application for the Kuwait and GCC market that combines instant payments with cryptocurrency services. The app allows users to spend digital assets via a crypto card and earn returns through a dedicated savings feature.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2022 |
| Founders | George Chichua, Ghadeer Faleh, Seth Sadeq, Zane Sadeq |
| Funding Amount | $4M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Seed |
| Top Investors | Tether, Maqamees Holdings |
Sakan builds a real estate technology platform for the Kuwaiti market that simplifies finding rental properties. Their marketplace features listings for both long-term and vacation rentals, along with property management tools.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | Ahmed Al Saleh |
| Funding Amount | $12M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series A |
| Top Investors | — |
Boutiqaat operates a leading e-commerce platform for cosmetics and beauty products catering to women in the Middle East. The marketplace is recognized for its vast selection of items from both international and local brands.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Alessa Abdulwahab |
| Funding Amount | $45M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series B |
| Top Investors | Boubyan Petrochemical Company |
Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways offers flights to destinations throughout the Middle East, Central & South Asia, and Europe. As the country's first non-government owned airline, it has become a leading low-cost carrier in the region.
| Headquarters | Safat, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2004 |
| Founders | — |
| Funding Amount | — |
| Startup Size | Major Organization (1,001-5,000) |
| Last Funding Status | — |
| Top Investors | — |
ZAD created a digital investment platform that makes trading and investing more accessible. The platform specializes in Sharia-compliant products, offering users access to local and US stocks through a mobile app.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2021 |
| Founders | Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Abdullah Alansari, Abdulrahman Al-Kharafi |
| Funding Amount | $2.4M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Seed |
| Top Investors | — |
Baims provides an educational technology platform that gives students access to specialized university courses from top instructors. Their service offers a comprehensive learning experience through recorded video lectures, notes, and live sessions.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2018 |
| Founders | Bader Al-Rasheed, Yousef Alhusaini |
| Funding Amount | $6.2M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series A |
| Top Investors | Rasameel Investment Company, AlWazzan Education, Seeds Partners, AK Holding |
Circle runs a quick commerce platform for delivering groceries and other essentials to customers in about 15 minutes. Their service uses a mobile app and a network of micro-fulfillment centers to provide an ultra-fast retail experience.
| Headquarters | Kuwait, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |
| Year Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | Abdullah Al-Watayan, Altaf AlThekair |
| Funding Amount | $6M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series A |
| Top Investors | — |
40 Additional Kuwait Startups Worth Following
Those top 10 companies are just a small part of what's happening in Kuwait. Founders are building all sorts of businesses, especially in finance and media, and have raised hundreds of millions of dollars.
Some of these startups are just getting started, while others are well established. Here’s a look at more of the companies shaping Kuwait's startup ecosystem.
