Grace Ashiru
In a landmark 100% acquisition, the Kuwaiti education technology firm Baims, founded by Bader Al-Rasheed and Yousef Alhusaini in 2017, has successfully acquired the Egyptian EdTech company Orcas. Baims, renowned for its online pre-recorded courses for university and high school students in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, is set to integrate Orcas’ custom tutoring services into its platform. This integration is a strategic step towards offering a more comprehensive and flexible educational experience to learners in the MENA region.
Orcas, established in 2019 by Hossam Taher and Amira El Gharib, specializes in providing personalized learning experiences to K12 students in international schools. The combined resources of Baims and Orcas have garnered over $11 million in funding from notable investors such as Access Bridge Ventures, Algebra Ventures, NFX Ventures, AlWazzan Educational Group, Rasameel Investment Company, Seedstars International Ventures, and A.K. Holding. This merger cements the combined entity’s position as a formidable force in the EdTech sector in the MENA region.
Baims, recognized for its bespoke online courses tailored for university students, is strategically acquiring Orcas to enhance its educational offerings. This merger aims to integrate Orcas’ individualized tutoring services into Baims’ platform, striving to provide a comprehensive and flexible learning experience for students throughout the MENA region.
Orcas Tutoring’s CEO, Hossam Taher, emphasizes the objective of developing product and market synergies. The plan is to introduce bespoke K12 tutoring services in the GCC and broaden their scope to meet the varying needs of university students.
As Baims looks to expand in the GCC, particular focus is being placed on the burgeoning Saudi Arabian market. Identifying Riyadh as an emerging hub for startups, Baims is keen on establishing a strong foothold by introducing advanced AI-powered test preparation tools. Additionally, the company is set to broaden its services to include personalized one-on-one tutoring and extend its reach to more universities in Saudi Arabia.
The merger of two skilled teams has formed a new company with ambitious goals of expanding products and markets and achieving regional supremacy. This venture is strengthened by the expertise of industry veterans like Hossam Taher and Amira El Gharib, who bring over 35 years of combined experience in the EdTech sector, now part of Baims’ leadership.
This strategic merger has garnered the support of investors, including Issa Aghabi, Managing Partner at Access Bridge Ventures, who is excited about the prospects of EdTech in the Middle East.
Although the education market in the MENA region is valued at $100 billion, it remains largely underexploited. Baims is poised to capitalize on this opportunity by providing a unified platform that enhances skill development and equips students for professional success.
Baims is committed to addressing educational challenges in the MENA region and boosting job creation. Yousef AlHusaini, highlighting this vision, points out the aim to generate employment in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, UAE, and Jordan, alongside solving educational issues.
The successful exit of Orcas, under the leadership of CEO Hossam Taher, is hailed as a significant milestone for the startup landscape in Egypt. In a challenging business climate, Orcas has maintained its commitment to growth, symbolizing hope for the region. Taher shares his insights, stating, “Our path with Orcas was dedicated to enhancing the lives of students and teachers. Joining forces with Baims is set to broaden this positive impact even more.”
