Nowlun has closed its $2.3 million seed round after securing an additional $600,000 from Ingressive Capital, as the startup doubles down on AI-powered logistics across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the broader MENA region.
The Cairo-based startup operates a digital platform designed to simplify global shipping in the Middle East and Africa. The latest funding follows earlier commitments from Nama Ventures and A15, with participation from Sanabil 500 Global and multiple angels.
Nowlun previously used the initial seed capital to expand into Saudi Arabia and launch Bulk, its dynamic pricing engine for instant ocean freight quotes. With this new investment, the company says it will accelerate development of an AI-powered “smart logistics assistant” for maritime cargo exporters in the region, combining analytics, recommendations, and automation to improve speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency.
“This funding is more than just financial; it’s a strategic push to integrate artificial intelligence into the core of logistics,” said CEO Moataz Khamis. “We’re building your intelligent shipping assistant, a tool that puts decades of experience at your fingertips, enabling you to make faster, smarter shipping decisions every day.”
The investment also marks a cross-regional signal. Ingressive Capital, a Nigeria-based fund, is among a growing group of African VCs backing MENA-based startups building infrastructure for global trade.
“We believe that the future of logistics in the Middle East and Africa will be built by founders who combine a deep understanding of operations with advanced technology like artificial intelligence,” said Maya Horgan Famodu, Founding Partner at Ingressive Capital. “Nowlun is not only revolutionising the shipping industry, but is reimagining intercontinental trade with speed, transparency, and accuracy.”
As the company expands its presence in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two key nodes in the global supply chain, Nowlun is positioning AI not as a feature, but as a foundation for modern trade across the region.
