FJ Labs

FJ Labs, established in 2015 and headquartered in New York, is a stage-agnostic investment firm focusing on marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. It invests in seed and series A rounds, with a typical investment range of $50,000 to $5,000,000. The firm's portfolio includes notable companies such as Alibaba Group, Beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, Adore Me, and Earnest, spanning sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and ad tech.

Matias Barbero

Venture Capital

Zineb Belghiti

Operations Associate

William Guillouard

Operating Partner

Arne Halleraker

Partner

Christopher Keshian

Investor

Ariel Lebowits

CFO

Jose Marin

Founding Partner

Güimar Vaca Sittic

Venture Partner

Jeff Weinstein

Partner

Past deals in Africa and Middle East

iMENA Group

Funding Round in 2025
iMENA Group is a venture capital investment firm established in 2013 and headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The firm focuses on the consumer Internet market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, targeting the hyper-growth phase of this sector. iMENA invests in and collaborates with promising founders and organizations across various industries, leveraging globally proven technology and business models. Additionally, the company provides strategic and operational support to help address the challenges of developing and scaling online businesses in the MENA region.

Alerzo

Venture Round in 2024
Alerzo is a B2B e-commerce retail company based in Ibadan, Nigeria, that focuses on transforming the operations of informal retail stores. Founded in 2019, Alerzo provides a technology and services platform that facilitates on-demand inventory distribution and financial services tailored for small retailers. Its platform enables these stores to easily discover, purchase, and manage their inventories, while also delivering valuable insights such as real-time market trends, customer feedback, and consumer purchasing data. By bridging the gap between retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), Alerzo enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of informal retail operations.

AI Clearing

Series A in 2023
AI Clearing is a company focused on enhancing the construction industry by integrating artificial intelligence into its operations. Established in 2020 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, AI Clearing offers a construction progress reporting platform that facilitates fully automated tracking of construction progress and real-time quality control. The platform processes inputs from various construction projects to generate accurate payment approvals and deliver insightful analyses and reports. By leveraging a combination of AI, geographic information systems, and computer-aided design, AI Clearing aims to improve trust and productivity within construction businesses. Its solutions have been adopted by industry leaders across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

Cymbio

Secondary Market in 2022
Cymbio is an Israel-based company founded in 2015 by Gilad Zirkel, Roy Avidor, and Mor Lavi, specializing in digital sales acceleration for brands through its comprehensive drop ship and marketplace automation platform. The platform connects brands and retailers by unifying data streams, which helps capitalize on sales opportunities and enhances visibility over merchandising and pricing. By automating time-consuming processes, Cymbio enables brands to increase sales across various retail partners while allowing retailers to offer a broader product selection without incurring additional inventory risks. This innovative approach strengthens partnerships and creates new business opportunities in the retail landscape.

Alerzo

Series B in 2022
Alerzo is a B2B e-commerce retail company based in Ibadan, Nigeria, that focuses on transforming the operations of informal retail stores. Founded in 2019, Alerzo provides a technology and services platform that facilitates on-demand inventory distribution and financial services tailored for small retailers. Its platform enables these stores to easily discover, purchase, and manage their inventories, while also delivering valuable insights such as real-time market trends, customer feedback, and consumer purchasing data. By bridging the gap between retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), Alerzo enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of informal retail operations.

UNIPaaS Payments Technologies

Seed Round in 2021
UNIPaaS is a payment solution that enables digital platforms and marketplaces to own, manage, and monetize from financial services. Digital marketplaces and B2B platforms can now own their payment experience and control their funds' flow. They are transforming how businesses integrate and handle payments, reducing financial operations costs, and accelerating the implementation of new growth engines powered by payments and financial services. By monetizing these activities and providing these new services to customers in the right context, digital platforms can effectively increase stickiness, and lifetime value, and generate additional revenues. UNIPaaS was founded in 2020 and is based in Israel.

Yassir

Series A in 2021
Yassir Inc. is a leading super app based in Algiers, Algeria, that offers a range of on-demand services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and last-mile logistics. Founded in 2016, the company enables users to book rides and order food through its mobile application, Yassir Go. Operating in 45 cities across multiple countries, Yassir aims to transform daily service delivery while fostering a digital economy. In addition to transportation and food services, Yassir is expanding its offerings to include financial services, allowing users to manage payments, savings, and loans digitally. The company focuses on integrating technology into everyday activities to enhance consumer lifestyles and create a marketplace that meets diverse needs.

Sendbox

Seed Round in 2021
Sendbox operates a platform facilitating e-commerce transactions on popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp across North America, Europe, and Africa. The company offers infrastructure for shipping, secure escrow payments, and merchant discovery services, enabling merchants and customers to engage in safe and convenient online shopping experiences.

Elmenus

Series C in 2021
Elmenus is a food discovery platform based in Cairo, Egypt, founded in 2011. The company serves over 1 million monthly users by providing a comprehensive application that helps people identify nearby restaurants and explore popular dishes as rated by fellow users. Elmenus combines a social and visual experience, allowing users to browse digitized restaurant menus and engage with a community of food enthusiasts who share photos, reviews, and ratings. The company also maintains offices in several Egyptian cities, including Alexandria, El Mansoura, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna, El Ain El Sokhna, Ras Sudr, and North Coast. Through its platform, Elmenus aims to facilitate an enjoyable and personalized food discovery experience for its users.

Alerzo

Series A in 2021
Alerzo is a B2B e-commerce retail company based in Ibadan, Nigeria, that focuses on transforming the operations of informal retail stores. Founded in 2019, Alerzo provides a technology and services platform that facilitates on-demand inventory distribution and financial services tailored for small retailers. Its platform enables these stores to easily discover, purchase, and manage their inventories, while also delivering valuable insights such as real-time market trends, customer feedback, and consumer purchasing data. By bridging the gap between retailers and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), Alerzo enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of informal retail operations.

Baraka

Seed Round in 2021
Baraka is an investment application based in the UAE that aims to democratize access to stock markets for all individuals. The platform provides users with educational resources, market news, and comprehensive stock analysis to enhance their investment knowledge and confidence. Baraka enables commission-free investing in a wide range of stocks and exchange-traded funds, allowing users to explore diverse investment opportunities. By focusing on accessibility and empowerment, Baraka seeks to cultivate a new generation of informed investors.

OpenSooq

Venture Round in 2021
OpenSooq is an online classified platform that facilitates the trade of property, cars, products, and services across the Middle East and North Africa region. It enables sellers to list their offerings directly to millions of users without the need for intermediaries, fostering a direct connection between buyers and sellers. The platform features a diverse range of categories, including automotive, real estate, and electronics, allowing users to easily browse and access a variety of goods and services. By aggregating multiple marketplace offerings, OpenSooq enhances the user experience, making it straightforward for individuals to engage in commerce within their local communities.

Baraka

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Baraka is an investment application based in the UAE that aims to democratize access to stock markets for all individuals. The platform provides users with educational resources, market news, and comprehensive stock analysis to enhance their investment knowledge and confidence. Baraka enables commission-free investing in a wide range of stocks and exchange-traded funds, allowing users to explore diverse investment opportunities. By focusing on accessibility and empowerment, Baraka seeks to cultivate a new generation of informed investors.

UNIPaaS Payments Technologies

Seed Round in 2021
UNIPaaS is a payment solution that enables digital platforms and marketplaces to own, manage, and monetize from financial services. Digital marketplaces and B2B platforms can now own their payment experience and control their funds' flow. They are transforming how businesses integrate and handle payments, reducing financial operations costs, and accelerating the implementation of new growth engines powered by payments and financial services. By monetizing these activities and providing these new services to customers in the right context, digital platforms can effectively increase stickiness, and lifetime value, and generate additional revenues. UNIPaaS was founded in 2020 and is based in Israel.

MUNCH:ON

Series B in 2020
MUNCH:ON is a food tech startup that has cracked the subscription space in the UAE & KSA, focusing on offering meals from the best restaurants at a significant discount and with free delivery. The company has invested heavily in its scheduling, bundling and order prediction software which has enabled it to achieve massive cost savings for its restaurant partners that they then pass on to their users, often offering up to a 55% discount vs. restaurants' regular price. Whether it's employees ordering from their company's curated menu or users ordering for their families at home, the platform takes the usual hassle and cost out of food delivery in a financially (and environmentally) sustainable manner for all stakeholders

Yassir

Seed Round in 2019
Yassir Inc. is a leading super app based in Algiers, Algeria, that offers a range of on-demand services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and last-mile logistics. Founded in 2016, the company enables users to book rides and order food through its mobile application, Yassir Go. Operating in 45 cities across multiple countries, Yassir aims to transform daily service delivery while fostering a digital economy. In addition to transportation and food services, Yassir is expanding its offerings to include financial services, allowing users to manage payments, savings, and loans digitally. The company focuses on integrating technology into everyday activities to enhance consumer lifestyles and create a marketplace that meets diverse needs.

MUNCH:ON

Series A in 2019
MUNCH:ON is a food tech startup that has cracked the subscription space in the UAE & KSA, focusing on offering meals from the best restaurants at a significant discount and with free delivery. The company has invested heavily in its scheduling, bundling and order prediction software which has enabled it to achieve massive cost savings for its restaurant partners that they then pass on to their users, often offering up to a 55% discount vs. restaurants' regular price. Whether it's employees ordering from their company's curated menu or users ordering for their families at home, the platform takes the usual hassle and cost out of food delivery in a financially (and environmentally) sustainable manner for all stakeholders

Borzo

Series A in 2018
Borzo is a global delivery service specializing in same-day intracity delivery. The company employs advanced algorithms to optimize numerous parallel deliveries by analyzing factors such as geographical routes, package contents, and available couriers. This technology allows Borzo to efficiently manage and execute deliveries within the same day, catering to a diverse clientele that includes small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger corporations. Operating in several countries, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey, Borzo serves millions of customers, providing a reliable solution for their delivery needs.

Vivense London

Series D in 2018
Vivense is a Turkish online furniture retailer that connects customers with various furniture manufacturers. The company offers a diverse range of products, including sofas, chairs, tables, beds, and cupboards, through its e-commerce platform and physical showrooms. By providing an extensive selection of interior design products, Vivense enables customers to enhance their living spaces. Additionally, the company supports convenience by allowing clients to order their desired furniture items online and offers free delivery for select products.

Lori Systems

Seed Round in 2017
Lori Systems Corp. is a logistics platform founded in 2016 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in Mombasa, Kampala, and Lagos. The company specializes in connecting cargo owners with vetted transporters, addressing the significant logistics costs that account for up to 75% of product expenses in Africa. By leveraging technology, Lori's platform enhances supply chain management through real-time cargo monitoring, electronic documentation, and automated payment processes, thereby improving operational efficiency. Since its launch in May 2017, Lori has achieved substantial growth, boasting a compounded monthly growth rate of 30%. The increasing demand for its tech-enabled logistics solutions reflects the company's success in providing transparency, flexibility, and cost savings to businesses across the continent.

OpenSooq

Seed Round in 2017
OpenSooq is an online classified platform that facilitates the trade of property, cars, products, and services across the Middle East and North Africa region. It enables sellers to list their offerings directly to millions of users without the need for intermediaries, fostering a direct connection between buyers and sellers. The platform features a diverse range of categories, including automotive, real estate, and electronics, allowing users to easily browse and access a variety of goods and services. By aggregating multiple marketplace offerings, OpenSooq enhances the user experience, making it straightforward for individuals to engage in commerce within their local communities.

Bulk MRO Industrial Supply

Seed Round in 2017
Bulk MRO Industrial Supply Pvt. Ltd. is a Mumbai-based distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations products. Established in 2016, the company offers a wide range of items including abrasives, adhesives, cleaning equipment, electrical and electronic products, fasteners, hand tools, and safety products. Serving various sectors such as automobile, chemical, FMCG, hospitality, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and power, Bulk MRO acts as a global B2B platform for large corporations and government customers across North America, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa. The company positions itself as a one-stop shop for millions of products sourced from thousands of manufacturers.

OpenSooq

Convertible Note in 2016
OpenSooq is an online classified platform that facilitates the trade of property, cars, products, and services across the Middle East and North Africa region. It enables sellers to list their offerings directly to millions of users without the need for intermediaries, fostering a direct connection between buyers and sellers. The platform features a diverse range of categories, including automotive, real estate, and electronics, allowing users to easily browse and access a variety of goods and services. By aggregating multiple marketplace offerings, OpenSooq enhances the user experience, making it straightforward for individuals to engage in commerce within their local communities.
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