Ever experienced horrible shipping here in the region? We all have and that's what CamelShip is trying to change!
Launched in August, CamelShip Proprietary Shipping API aims to make shipping in the region so much easier. Its first product to be released under this proprietary API was the B2BC service CamelShip.com, allowing both consumers and small businesses to send orders, documents and gifts from the UAE to countries abroad, all at discounted shipping services.
StepFeed caught up with CamelShip co-founder Fares Nimri, and got a few facts about the awesome startup:
1. It was around the holiday season when the founders of CamelShip realized how big a problem shipping in the region actually was
2. Since its launch, CamelShip has experienced a 25% weekly growth in the number of shipping labels created through the API
3. In the first 60 days after launching, it received more than 1,000 quote requests
4. Partners include Aramex, SkyNet & Parzel
5. Biggest challenge is high operational costs in both Dubai & Amman
Fares Nimri told StepFeed that funding was not a problem: "There are funds in MENA region that that are actively investing. What the ecosystem is lacking are the exit opportunities, which in turn attract more investments & funds, create angels and ultimately perpetuates a positive cycle."
6. CamelShip launched in the UAE because of where the e-commerce retail market stands in the region ($5B+) and growing 15% annually
7. Deploying API in markets other than the UAE a matter of time
8. The company's mascot is this cute little fellow, going along with their slogan "We Give a Ship"
The startup's flagship product, CamelShip for e-commerce, centered around a B2B model designed for online marketing places, seller platforms, and online shops, is set to launch in January. Payfort reports that "28% of online retailers agree that shipping is the biggest challenge to them," only second after customer acquisition. CamelShip is trying to offload this pain from sellers with its service.