Lola, a Bahrain-based foodtech startup, has successfully raised US$1.3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Saudi Arabia’s Vision Ventures and UAE’s Plus VC, along with several angel investors. The funding will help expand Lola’s presence in Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC region, solidifying its position in the personalized gifting market.
Founded in 2023 by Othman Janahi, Lola offers a customizable cake-ordering service via its mobile app. The company launched in Bahrain in September 2023, expanded to Riyadh in July 2024, and entered the UAE market in December 2024. Now, Lola plans to enter key Saudi cities, including Jeddah and the Eastern Province, to further expand in the Kingdom’s foodtech and gifting markets.
Janahi, CEO of Lola, commented, “This investment allows us to scale aggressively in cities like Jeddah and Dammam, where demand for premium, personalized gifting is growing. We’re also exploring further expansion in the UAE and GCC markets.” The funds will be used to enhance technology, optimize operations, and introduce new product categories.
Lola’s competitive edge lies in its ability to offer fully customizable cakes via a smart production system, ensuring a seamless and engaging ordering experience. The company sees great potential to expand beyond cakes into other personalized gifting solutions, balancing speed, affordability, and creativity with its tech-driven model.
Janahi also noted the challenges of expanding into new markets, emphasizing the importance of localization, adaptability, and strong operational foundations for scaling a consumer brand successfully.
