Nowlun, a digital freight forwarding platform operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has raised $1.7 million in seed funding. The investment round was co-led by Nama Ventures and A15, with additional participation from Sanabil 500 Global and a group of angel investors.
The fresh capital will enable Nowlun to expand its operations and further develop its proprietary technology platform, which offers businesses instant access to transparent ocean freight rates, streamlined shipment management tools, and real-time cargo tracking.
Freight forwarding, a critical component of global trade, involves coordinating shipments across carriers to ensure efficient delivery. Traditionally, this process has been plagued by inefficiencies, lack of transparency, and outdated systems. Nowlun aims to disrupt this landscape by leveraging technology to simplify and optimize freight operations.
The startup’s platform provides businesses with real-time pricing from major shipping lines, advanced shipment management capabilities, and proactive cargo tracking features. This integration enables clients to make faster and more informed decisions while maintaining full control over their logistics operations.
Since its founding in 2021, Nowlun has quickly established itself as a rising player in the MENA logistics sector. The company was co-founded by Moataz Khamis (CEO), Mahmoud Khaled (CTO), and Ahmed Emara (COO), who together bring deep expertise in technology and logistics.
Over the past two years, Nowlun has integrated its platform with leading global shipping lines, allowing businesses to access instant and accurate freight rates. Its tools for shipment management include features such as instant notifications, real-time cargo tracking, and proactive issue resolution, which have helped the company build a strong reputation among clients.
The investment in Nowlun reflects growing confidence in the digital transformation of MENA’s logistics industry. Nama Ventures’ General Partner Mohammed Alzubi highlighted the startup’s significant traction, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and its potential to scale across the region. “Nowlun’s team has demonstrated remarkable expertise and execution capabilities in addressing the logistical challenges businesses face in MENA,” he noted.
A15’s Investment Manager, Bassem Raafat, emphasized the broader implications of Nowlun’s technology. “By introducing transparency and efficiency into freight forwarding, Nowlun has the potential to redefine how businesses in the region manage their logistics. This funding marks a key milestone in their journey toward industry transformation.”
Meanwhile, CEO Moataz Khamis reiterated the company’s mission to simplify shipping processes and resolve inefficiencies in freight forwarding. “Our goal is to empower businesses by making logistics smarter, faster, and more transparent. This funding allows us to expand our footprint and deliver even greater value to our clients,” Khamis stated.
With the global logistics sector undergoing rapid digitalization, Nowlun is positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for efficient and technology-driven solutions. The MENA region, characterized by its strategic trade routes and growing e-commerce market, offers significant growth opportunities for innovative freight-forwarding platforms.
Nowlun plans to use the seed funding to deepen its presence in key markets, enhance its technology stack, and scale its team to meet the rising demand for its services. As businesses in the region continue to seek modern logistics solutions, Nowlun’s progress will be closely watched as a bellwether for the digital transformation of MENA’s freight industry.
This milestone marks an important step not only for Nowlun but also for the broader MENA logistics sector, as the region increasingly embraces innovation to address long-standing inefficiencies.