Egyptian start-up Shatablee raised $1.2 million in new funding, which is expected to help it to expand its operations and its product portfolio.
Founded in 2021, Shatablee is a digital finishing and financing platform. It lets customers select their own interior designs and build customised packages with a real time budget calculator.
The new funds will be used to scale operations as the company seeks to “optimise and fully digitise the interior finishing journey” the start-up said. The company did not disclose the source of funding.
“The sheer size and fragmentation of the market play to our advantage,” said Moustafa Amer, founder and chief executive of Shatablee.
“We believe that Shatablee is best suited to address the asymmetries faced by customers as well as professionals in the market, be it the lack of financing, the prolonged time to deliver that may take up to 12 months, the limited price transparency or the inadequate quality of houses created across many segments, specially within [the] gated communities.”
In 2020, the real estate industry contributed nearly $62 billion to the Egyptian national economy, while the design and build industry accounts for 30 per cent, said Shatablee, citing official data.
Shatablee intends to digitally transform the traditional home finishing process. It offers solutions enabling home owners in gated communities to have access to cost effective quotes with different financial solutions under one digital platform.
Through Shatablee, users start by selecting their unit type to browse through a gallery of design packages. They can customise the designs for each space within their unit to their preference, choosing from financing plans, and submit their order.
Once the order is confirmed, Shatablee starts the build phase and completes the entire process in 90 days. Shatablee also enables digital payments through its partnership with financial institutions.
"We leverage a wide base of suppliers that helps us source the best materials … [there is a] team of designers, architects and technicians, driven by the latest resource planning technologies, who work to demonstrably deliver the best quality and customer experience with reduced costs and time," Mr Amer said.
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
