• The platform is an online marketplace for independent fashion designers in the region offering Khaleeji themes.
• Aims to give designers access to a multi-billion-dollar fashion market globally.

UAE-based e-commerce startup – Boksha – has closed a $1 million Seed funding round from a group of investors, which includes Sandooq Al Watan and family offices.

The company will utilise the funds to scale up operationally and further invest into its technology to enter new markets in the region, starting with the GCC.

The platform, founded in 2018, is an online marketplace for independent fashion designers in the region offering Khaleeji (local) themes.

 “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,” Yahya Mohamed Saleh, Boksha co-founder and CEO, said.

This is the company’s first raise, and it has bootstrapped itself since its inception, offering over 15,000 SKUs, representing over 800 designers, and shipping to over 40 countries worldwide to date.

“Through our platform and tools, we believe we can give our designers access to a multi-billion-dollar fashion market globally – something most of them didn’t have access to before,” Saleh said.

Hind Baker, Director-General of Sandooq Al Watan, said that their platform 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.

“We are always open to any kind of bold and innovative ideas that can help diversify the UAE economy and prepare it for the post-oil era, in line with our mandate and the UAE leadership’s directives,” she said.