Boksha, an Emirati-founded eCommerce startup focusing on offering abayas, kaftans and other Khaleeji-themed fashion items has secured $1 million from a group of investors in early-stage funding.
The Dubai-based startup is an online marketplace founded in 2018, which now represents over 800 designers and shipped products to more than 40 countries worldwide to date.
The name Boksha, derived from an Arab Gulf dialect, refers to a piece of fabric traditionally used as a pouch or head carrier by female merchants for the storage of their garments and goods.
The startup, which represents the small and independent fashion designers in the region and supports them to expand their reach to become global players, has raised funding from Sandooq Al Watan and a number of family offices.
Yahya Mohamed Saleh Co-Founder & CEO Boksha
“We are very excited about our next chapter post-funding closing and see tremendous growth opportunities in the region. Not only do we see this as a largely scalable business, but also one with significant social impact in terms of job creation, individual empowerment and export of regional talent. More than 90 percent of our designers are Emirati females between the ages of 18 and 35, we expect to see a very similar demographic as we expand regionally.”
Boksha aims to give designers an easy entrance to the multi-billion-dollar fashion market across the world through their platform and tools which is something the local talents didn’t have access to before.
Hind Baker, Director-General of Sandooq Al Watan, said, “Sandooq Al Watan is a national initiative launched by prominent Emirati businessmen to support innovators and talented Emiratis, and create every opportunity for them to thrive and unleash their full potential. This is the mandate our wise leadership entrusted us with. It is a mission we take seriously and are committed to fulfilling.”
The company will utilize the funds to scale up operationally and further invest in its technology to enter new markets in the region, starting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
