Baims, a leading education technology (EdTech) startup based in Kuwait, has acquired Orcas Edtech to capture the flourishing $100 billion education market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
This transformative consolidation establishes Baims and Orcas as the go-to provider of a holistic and adaptive EdTech platform, catering to both K12 and university learning.
Baims, founded by Mr. Yousef AlHusaini & Mr. Bader AlRasheed acquired Orcas, founded by Mr. Hossam Taher & Ms. Amira El Gharib in a 100 percent acquisition deal. Together, Orcas and Baims have raised over $11 million, backed by prominent investors including Access Bridge Ventures, Algebra Ventures, NFX Ventures, AlWazzan Educational Group, Rasameel Investment Company, Seedstars International Ventures, and AK Holding, establishing the new consolidated company as the number one EdTech player to watch in the MENA region.
Baims and Orcas are dedicated to providing comprehensive education solutions, to MENA’s transforming education sector towards hybrid learning models, that encompass both synchronous and asynchronous formats (live and recorded). This positions Baims as a dominant player with a distinctive offering, addressing the profound challenges that students encounter in the region.
Yousef AlHusaini CEO – Baims
“By acquiring Orcas Tutoring, we are not just expanding our reach, we are redefining the EdTech landscape in MENA. This consolidation enables us to offer a comprehensive learning experience, combining our online tailored recorded courses with Orcas Tutoring’s personalized one-to-one tutoring platform.”
Baims’ growth plan
Baims specializes in providing online tailored recorded courses for university students in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The acquisition of Orcas signifies a strategic move to further enhance their offerings by incorporating Orcas’ personalized tutoring services into their platform, creating a well-rounded and adaptable educational experience for students across the MENA region.
“Our aim is to establish product and market synergies by introducing personalized K12 tutoring services in the GCC and subsequently expanding our portfolio to cater to the diverse needs of university students,” Mr. Hossam Taher added.
While expanding in the GCC is Baims’ plan, focusing on the growing Saudi Arabian market is a priority. Recognizing Riyadh as the future startup hub of the region where the government is investing a significant amount in emerging talents, Baims aims to solidify its presence in this dynamic market. Saudi Arabia holds a strategic position, acting as a key connector between North Africa and the GCC, boasting the region’s most substantial and influential market.
Capitalizing on its dominant market share in Saudi Arabia, Baims is poised to launch a specialized AI-driven test preparation product. In addition to this, the company plans to augment its offerings by incorporating one-to-one tutoring services and expanding to more universities in KSA demonstrating a commitment to addressing the specific needs of students.
The newly consolidated company aims to realize its product, market expansion, and regional dominance objectives through the efficient integration of both teams. This strategic acquisition presents Baims with the valuable opportunity to augment its workforce with seasoned professionals boasting over 35 years of combined experience in the EdTech space.
Mr. Bader AlRasheed stated that “Education is not just about acquiring knowledge, it’s about empowering individuals to thrive in the workforce. Insufficient access to quality education limits opportunities in the job market, and our consolidated platform aims to bridge this gap by fostering skill development and preparing students for success.”
Joining the Baims team alongside Mr. Hossam Taher as Chief Strategy Officer and Ms. Amira El Gharib as Chief Operations Officer are Ms. Shams Adly, Orcas’s Chief Marketing Officer, and Mr. Mohammed Khalaf, Orcas’s Chief Technology Officer. Their inclusion in Baims’ leadership is set to drive further advancements in the venture.
Baims also envisions contributing to job creation in the MENA region. “Our goal is not only to solve the education problem but also to create more job opportunities in KSA, Kuwait, EG, UAE, and Jordan. We aim to provide educators with a chance to make a meaningful impact and improve their incomes,” noted Mr. Yousef Al Husaini.
