Press Release
ILLA: Egypt’s FMCG-focused logistics startup raises $500k seed funding to further expand its operations
ILLA, a FMCG delivery logistics marketplace has successfully raised a $500,000.00 seed fund with participation from Averroes VC, AUC Angels and a consortium of local and regional strategic angel investors with follow-on funding from Flat6Labs Cairo.
ILLA launched officially in March 2019, through Flat6Labs Cairo accelerator, where they got great business support enabling them to truly take off, after running their operations in beta mode for 8 months, getting robust feedback from their pilot clients who remained on their portfolio ever since and continue to grow alongside other household name clients.
ILLA caters to the big corporates and SMEs alike, with full-fledged transportation and logistics solutions tackling major pain points unique to the FMCG industry. While innovating around logistics is challenging, it’s even more so within an ever-growing industry, and that’s why ILLA is uniquely poised to capture considerable market share both locally and regionally for their exclusive focus and innovation around this industry. The Outcome of such focus is that they operate within 24 Governorates across Egypt, delivering 7 million cases so far and spanning more that 3 million Kilometers.
The new investment round will enable ILLA to further capitalize on its position as a leader in FMCG Delivery Logistics industry in Egypt, where delivery logistics is being constantly disrupted with new technology and market dynamics. ILLA is striving to maintain its leadership positioning as the delivery logistics arm to FMCG companies as well as SMEs while enriching the customer journey and deepening relationships within the value chain. Tech transformation is a key area of focus for ILLA, which enables its clients to manage their existing and outsourced fleets seamlessly and provide them with elaborate analytics and market insights, to make better decisions and deliver superior quality to their customers. The funding will also drive further local expansion and exploration of regional markets to operate in next.
Mahmoud El- Zomor CEO & Co-founder, comes from a family deeply rooted in the distribution industry, whereas he held several positions in multinational FMCG corporates like CocaCola and Clorox, he then sought to innovate around traditional logistics with technology disruption and began the journey of ILLA with his three childhood friends who span a diverse range of experiences across the FMCG Industry as well. With Alaa Jarkas, Commercial Director & Co-Founder who used to work as an Account sales manager at juhayna as well as past experiences in overseas in saudi arabia as an operation officer in oil and gas service company, and Ahmed Sakr, COO & Co-Founder, used to work as an account manager at Coca-Cola Egypt, and as a financial advisor in the foreign exchange market before that and lastly the one in charge of the tech innovation that’s at the very core of ILLA, Hossam Saraya CTO & Co-Founder, a software engineer with over a decade of experience, who has been leading multinational software teams to deliver scalable, usable, highly available and data driven software products.
Here’s what the investors had to say about the team and the company.
“We at Averroes are always on the quest of backing up exceptional startups and we have established this earlier in the logistics technology domain. We believe in ILLA’s vision in providing high quality customized distribution solutions and in the value of its offering in serving FMCGs in an innovative and effective manner. ILLA’s exceptional team of diversified backgrounds are surely capable and well equipped in becoming a key player in the future of the logistics technology industry.” Dr. Ahmed Alsharif, Founding Partner and CEO, Averroes Ventures.
“The ailing logistics and delivery sector is at a turning point, with Illa well-positioned due to their solid team, unique market know-how, and the strength of their solution. We are really pleased to support their growth and be a part of this round.” – Mariam Kamel, AUC Angels.
“ILLA joined FLat6Labs Cairo Spring 2019 Accelerator Program. As early stage investors, Flat6Labs primarily invests in people, ILLA’s founding team demonstrated from day one that they are an A team. Their dedication, extensive experience in the logistics & Multinational FMCG industries and more importantly their insightful vision were assuring signs of great success ahead.FLat6Labs is reinforcing its belief in ILLA and the team by joining a second round of investment in the company, in order for ILLA to continue to grow their business operations, to serve new markets/segments and introduce new technologically-enabled solutions.
Flat6Labs Cairo is confident in ILLA’s future plans and their ability to fulfil them. We wish the team continued success, says Marie-Therese Fam, Managing Partner of Flat6Labs Cairo.”
ILLA may only be beginning the journey but in such short period of time they managed to gain the trust and support of major local companies and multinational household names, the likes of CocaCola, P&G, Nestle and Pepsico while also empowering big local ones alike, and the road ahead continues to be ever so promising for the company.
Visit: ILLA
Novotel Director Sales and Marketing Joesph Kimondo, PR and Marketing Manager Ivy Irungu, General Manager Fabio gonsalves, During the Media Briefing at the hotel (L-R).
Novotel, one of Accor’s flagship brands and a champion of balanced living, is proud to announce the opening of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, Kenya.
Situated in the vibrant Westlands area, the new hotel seamlessly balances moments of adventure, relaxation, business, and pleasure, offering a truly reenergising experience just 20 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Guests can explore multiple attractions with ease such as the Nairobi National Park, modern shopping malls, entertainment spots, the Giraffe Centre, and the Maasai traditional Market. The hotel caters to business travellers and families eager to share quality moments.
Novotel Nairobi Westlands offers 347 stylish rooms and suites, all featuring the brand’s signature design concept by RF Studio, which emphasises adaptability and sustainability, creating a comfortable, modern atmosphere. For business travellers, the hotel offers 13 versatile, intuitive meeting and event spaces, including a ballroom that can host over 100 guests – ideal for conferences, corporate functions, and social gatherings.
For guests seeking relaxation, the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa offers a range of curated signature massage therapies, designed to provide the ultimate rejuvenation experience. Each treatment is crafted to melt away stress and restore balance. For those looking to stay active, the fitness centre provides expert-led individual and group training sessions, offering a mix of tailored workout routines to suit all fitness levels.
“We are excited to introduce Novotel to Nairobi, a city that beautifully blends rich cultural heritage with modern dynamism,” said Fabio Gonsalves, General Manager of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, Kenya. ‘’Our goal is to create a welcoming space for business travelers and families alike, where quality moments lead to a more balanced life. At Novotel Nairobi Westlands, where modern living meets the pulse of cultural fusion, we offer flexible workspaces and relaxed dining options to suit everyone. It’s a place where guests can truly unwind, connect, and leave feeling invigorated.
The hotel’s four distinct dining concepts take guests on a culinary journey. The rooftop Trunk & Tandoor Gastro Bar offers Indian-inspired cuisine paired with breathtaking views of Nairobi’s skyline, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed evening. Gemma’s Italian Kitchen & Bar provides an all-day dining experience with rich Italian flavours in a welcoming atmosphere. Located at the heart of the lobby, the Safari themed Social Hub coffee lounge and bar adds a unique local flair, inviting guests to connect and unwind. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, the rooftop Pool Bar serves light bites and refreshing drinks, perfect for unwinding under the sun while enjoying the stunning panoramic city views.
Whether complementing a safari adventure or enjoying a family getaway, Novotel Nairobi Westlands offers travellers and locals the perfect environment to connect with family, friends, and colleagues and share quality moments.
“With the opening of Novotel Nairobi Westlands, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to Africa. The hotel offers a gateway to Nairobi’s vibrant experiences and marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy, as we continue to expand our footprint in key markets across the continent while enriching local communities.” said Paul Stevens, Chief Operating Officer Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East & Africa for Accor.
Following a longstanding commitment to support its guests’ pursuit of balance in their lives, Novotel announced a three-year agreement with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to champion the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans, the greatest source of balance for the planet’s climate, through science-based action and conservation projects. Novotel has built a three-year Positive Impact Plan, rooted in three of the United Nations’ priority ocean-related actions, namely: reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, particularly from land-based activities; fighting overfishing and promoting sustainable fishing models; and increasing scientific knowledge and research for ocean health.
To celebrate the opening, Novotel Nairobi Westlands is offering rates from Kes 20,000, including breakfast. True to the Novotel Family Promise, up to two children under 16 can stay for free in their parents’ room.
Members of the brand’s ALL loyalty programme, can unlock 4X Reward Points when booking on all.com until 24/11/2024, for stays up until 12/01/2025. Guests can join the loyalty programme for free and earn points towards a number of benefits, including free hotel stays.
Novotel Nairobi Westlands is Safe Hotels Certified, ensuring our guests peace of mind with globally recognized safety standards. This certification highlights our commitment to a secure, comfortable, and welcoming stay.
FOO, the award-winning B2B Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions provider, has partnered with eNovate (formerly known as eCards), Egypt’s premier provider of cutting-edge digital payment solutions, to build upon eNovate’s existing portfolio of products and services.
eNovate is an independent subsidiary of eFinance Investment Group (EFIG), Egypt’s leading investment management firm. Originally established in 2009 as EFIG’s card services division, it has since evolved to deliver comprehensive, integrated digital payment solutions for a range of clients, including fintechs and financial institutions; ministries and governmental entities; transportation authorities; and NGOs.
With more than 55 million cards issued to date, and millions of transactions processed annually for Meeza, VISA and Mastercard, eNovate continues to position itself at the forefront of Egypt’s digital payment ecosystem.
eNovate has strategically partnered with FOO to enhance its portfolio by leveraging FOO’s expertise, extensive range of services, and innovative approach to product development. FOO’s modular platform, built on a customizable suite of micro-services, enables the delivery of SaaS products across the financial services spectrum – from digital onboarding to digital banking – with unparalleled levels of flexibility, scalability and security.
Through this partnership, eNovate will also deliver Fintech as a Service (FaaS) solutions. Designed to help fintechs rapidly launch and scale their operations, FOO’s advanced ‘out-of-the-box’ FaaS solution streamlines the development process. This approach drastically reduces the time and resources needed to bring fintech products to market, enabling companies to move from concept to deployment within months, rather than years. By providing a comprehensive, scalable platform, this collaboration empowers fintechs across Egypt to focus on innovation and growth, accelerating their path to success in the country’s dynamic financial sector.
Both companies share a strong commitment to driving digital transformation, both within Egypt and the broader payment ecosystem. This collaboration will build on eNovate’s success to date, to further the delivery of fully compliant, end-to-end solutions that meet the diverse needs of its clients and their customers.
This ongoing partnership between FOO and eNovate includes several key projects, the first of which is an end-to-end digital solution for universities across Egypt. Integrated with each university’s learning management system, it will enable students to complete a range of actions – from payments to identity verification – via one easy-to-use app.
Further significant projects are to be announced in due course.
Ghady Rayess, Co-founder and Managing Director at FOO, commented: “At FOO, innovation is integral to our approach. We are proud to partner with eNovate, a true industry trailblazer, to contribute to the remarkable transformation taking place in Egypt’s financial services sector. With the support of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), we are committed to delivering robust financial solutions that will not only strengthen eNovate’s position as a leading innovation hub, but also further digital transformation across Egypt.”
Nashwa Kamel, CEO at eNovate, commented: “We are delighted to be working with FOO. Their commitment to cutting-edge technology and innovation aligns with our vision for providing digital payment solutions in Egypt and across the region. This partnership represents a milestone in our mission to revolutionize the financial landscape, providing our clients and their customers with unparalleled opportunities and enhanced experiences. By combining eNovate’s expertise with FOO’s pioneering solutions, we are positioned to set new benchmarks in the industry, driving forward digital transformation and reinforcing our role as a leader in the global payment ecosystem.”
SME Unwind, led by founder Seyi Olaniyan, is excited to bring Lagos’s first Black Friday Trade Fair to Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, on November 24, 2024. This exciting event will connect small and medium-sized businesses with buyers, creating a marketplace where businesses can clear inventory and shoppers can enjoy unbeatable Black Friday deals.
Some prestigious brands showcasing their offerings include Burger King, Uncover Skincare, Oriki Spa, and Zoho, along with other local and international brands. Shoppers can explore an array of products, from food and drinks to fashion, beauty, tech and lifestyle items—all at significant discounts.
The Black Friday Trade Fair will feature:
- Big Discounts – Shoppers can access exclusive Black Friday deals across various products and services.
- Fun Games and Activities – Engaging games, activities, and prize giveaways will keep attendees entertained throughout the day.
- Live Performances – A series of live shows will bring a lively atmosphere to the park.
- Networking Opportunities – Business owners and brand representatives can connect, network, and expand their reach in a dynamic environment.
“We’re thrilled to launch Lagos’s first Black Friday Trade Fair, giving local businesses a platform to reach a large audience while providing shoppers with exciting discounts in a lively, enjoyable environment,” says Seyi Olaniyan, Founder of YellowLyfe. “This event is about creating value for everyone involved, from exclusive deals and live entertainment to meaningful new connections.”
The Black Friday Trade Fair is a unique opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their products, gain exposure, and build valuable connections. With a variety of brands participating, visitors will discover an extensive range of high-quality items at great prices.
Join us on November 24th at Muri Okunola Park from 2 p.m. for an unforgettable Black Friday experience! Admission is free for all shoppers. This event is brought to you by YellowLyfe and powered by Zoho Africa, with additional sponsorship from Lasavannah, Kora, Bumpa, Chowdeck, Wallure, SoMe Solutions, TraceTv, SellwithAb, and many more.
SMEUnwind was created for business owners to relax and connect, but Mega Black Friday (by YellowLyfe Hq) is designed to be different, bringing Black Friday shopping live in person with a sprinkle of experiences to connect both consumers and business owners.
For more information, press inquiries, or to register your business for the Black Friday Trade Fair www.unwindfest.com/sme
Please contact:
Call: +234 904 902 7698
Email: sme.unwind@thelyfe.co or brands@yellowlyfe.com @smeunwind across all platforms
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