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Key people at Aqeed.
Aqeed is a Dubai-based insurtech company that operates a digital insurance marketplace enabling consumers and small-to-medium enterprises to compare, purchase, and manage their insurance policies online. The platform functions as a licensed broker, generating revenue through commissions and lead generation fees across motor, health, travel, and home coverage sectors. Operating primarily in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the company reached a scale of approximately 20 employees shortly after its initial public launch. The enterprise secured $18 million in Series A funding backed by corporate investors including Barents Reinsurance Group, Equitrust, EQ2 Ventures, and Berytech Fund II. In addition to its consumer-facing dashboard, the firm expanded its enterprise offerings by introducing a cloud-based customer relationship management system designed specifically for insurance brokers. Aqeed was founded in 2016 by Rachid Abi Nader and Hadi Radwan.
Key people at Aqeed.
Aqeed is a Dubai-based insurtech startup founded in 2016 that operates as an insurance aggregator and digital manager, helping consumers understand, manage, and purchase insurance policies with transparency and simplicity.[1][2][4][5] It serves personal customers in the UAE and targets expansion into Saudi Arabia (KSA) and other Middle East markets, initially focusing on motor insurance with plans for home and travel coverage, solving pain points like complexity, lack of accessibility, and gaps between customer needs and available products.[1][3][5] Backed by a landmark $18 million Series A round in 2018 from corporate shareholders including those behind Barents Re (an A-rated reinsurance group) and Equitrust (part of Choueiri Group), Aqeed combines startup agility with corporate stability to digitize the insurance journey using AI, machine learning, IoT, telematics, and automation.[1][2][3][4]
The platform bridges the insurance value chain—from product development and pricing to distribution and claims—offering a single hub for policy management, expert guidance via call centers, and post-sale support, setting it apart from mere comparison sites.[1][3]
Aqeed emerged from the vision of shareholders behind Barents Re, an international A-rated reinsurance group, and Equitrust, a company under MENA's leading media and advertising conglomerate Choueiri Group, aiming to disrupt opaque insurance perceptions in the region.[1][2][3][5] Founded in 2016 and officially launched in April 2018 after securing $18 million—the largest insurtech Series A in the region at the time—the company was led by Insurtech veteran Rachid Abi Nader as CEO (formerly Lead Consulting Director, Insurance, Middle East at PwC) and Hadi Radwan as Chief Product Officer (ex-head of M&A at a major Dubai insurance group).[1][2][3][4]
The idea stemmed from founders' deep industry expertise, addressing common market problems like poor transparency and outdated processes, with early traction marked by immediate UAE market entry, talent hires, and tech investments for regional penetration.[1][3] This corporate-backed structure provided runway for growth without traditional VC dependency.[3]
Aqeed stands out in the crowded insurtech space through:
Aqeed rides the insurtech wave accelerating digital transformation in the Middle East's conventional insurance sector, aligning with global trends toward tech-driven personalization amid rising smartphone penetration and demand for seamless financial services.[2][3][4] Timing is ideal post-2018 launch, capitalizing on UAE's fintech hub status and KSA's Vision 2030 reforms opening insurtech opportunities, while market forces like low insurance penetration (under 3% GDP in MENA vs. global 7%) and post-pandemic digital shifts favor aggregators.[1][3]
By specializing in insurance over general finance comparison, Aqeed influences the ecosystem as a pioneer, transfiguring UAE insurtech alongside peers like yallacompare, fostering transparency, and educating users to elevate regional financial literacy.[3][4]
Aqeed's post-2018 momentum positions it for scaled growth in UAE/KSA, leveraging its $18M runway for tech enhancements and product expansion amid maturing MENA insurtech (e.g., AI claims processing, embedded insurance).[1][4] Trends like regulatory sandboxes, 5G/IoT integration, and rising demand for personalized policies will shape its path, potentially evolving it into a full-stack regional leader influencing ecosystem standards for transparency.[2][3]
With no recent funding noted since Series A, focus likely shifts to profitability and partnerships; success hinges on executing expansions amid competition, tying back to its core mission of simplifying insurance for millions.
