• UAE-based logistics startup Wize has raised $16 million in a pre-Seed funding round led by angel investors.
• Founded in 2022 by Alexander Lemzakov, Wize provides eco-friendly last-mile transportation solutions. The startup has two core services: one is a marketplace for electric motorcycles, and the other is a subscription platform for businesses to manage their own fleets. It also provides battery-as-a-service and swapping stations, as well as the Battery Swap App for drivers to search and reserve batteries in advance and stay informed about battery charge levels.
• The fresh funds will go towards product development, enhancing the company's presence in the UAE, and exploring new partnership opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa.

Press release

Wize, a Dubai-based startup providing the most sustainable solutions for last-mile delivery, has raised $16 million in a pre-Seed funding round co-led by Mena-focused angel investors. Funds will be spent to enhance the company's presence in the UAE market, further product development and explore new partnership opportunities in the MENA market.

Unlike competitors, Wize developed a comprehensive ecosystem to help delivery and retail businesses meet the UAE’s net zero requirements and follow the UAE Green Agenda. Several services are included in the Wize ecosystem, such as electric motorcycles, Wize rental and subscription platform for business owners to manage their fleets 24/7, battery-as-a-service and swapping stations as well as software components.

The company offers subscription-based electric motorcycles, enhancing the sustainability of delivery operations in the UAE. For all business needs and budgets, Wize selected the following motorcycles: swift, rapid, and speedy. All comply with UAE regulations for courier transport, including the delivery box, which is standardised to RTA requirements. Using electric motorcycles, businesses reduce transportation costs by up to 30 per cent per month.

Wize Rental and Subscription Online Platform for business owners allows them to improve their bottom line and contribute to environmental sustainability. Through this platform, clients can manage their fleets 24/7 from anywhere. The platform gathers data on driver behaviour, location, speed, and charge levels of the connected vehicles. Furthermore, Wize's platform can be adopted as a white-label solution by any logistics company that wants to rent out its vehicles.

Also, the company is the first to install battery-swapping stations in the UAE, Wize Power. They will enable drivers to easily exchange batteries when needed. The batteries are adapted to the UAE weather conditions and are frequently used in deliveries. Battery Swap App allows drivers to search and reserve batteries in advance and stay informed about battery charge levels. 

Wize is also focused on the software component of the battery-as-a-service. The company has its own software that allows it to manage battery swapping stations and monitor the condition of all batteries. Wize developed the UAE-first software that is fully compliant with local laws, and all data is located in the UAE.

“The UAE's Green Agenda 2030 actively encourages businesses to pursue more sustainable growth. We are proud to offer an innovative full-service solution that empowers retailers and delivery companies to progress toward achieving net-zero emissions and significantly reduce their carbon footprint,” notes Alexander Lemzakov, co-founder and CEO of Wize.

Wize is in the process of establishing partnerships with well-known delivery companies in the region. The company has already signed a long-term partnership with Motoboy, the UAE's first sustainable logistics firm, with a long-term goal of achieving zero-carbon emissions through the exclusive use of electric bikes. It will enable Wize to manage all steps of motorcycle usage and understand the needs of potential clients and delivery companies.

According to the World Economic Forum, the number of delivery vehicles in the largest 100 cities of the world will increase by 36 per cent until 2030, and carbon emissions from delivery traffic will increase by 32 per cent, causing another 6 million tons of CO2. Real change toward a more sustainable last mile takes coordination and collaboration across the ecosystem.