The pandemic induced new normal bought with it some new requirements for the now-new world. Among many such requirements, one was the need for a one-stop shop that could connect people with independent service providers.
JustClean is one such startup that not only identified the market gap in this domain but created an entire business model around it. Given that independent service providers dominate the $3 billion cleaning sector in the Gulf area, JustClean was one of the first to digitize the industry, combining offline operators into a user-friendly platform that now includes some of the region’s largest cleaning companies and a large user community that continues to grow as we speak and as the company develops additional services and expands into new regions.
What is JustClean?
Founded back in 2016, by Mr. Al Enezi and his brother Nouri Al Enezi, as a marketplace application, a logistics operation, and a SaaS (software as a service) business. Since its launch, JustClean has expanded its laundry marketplace operations from a B2C model which was previously active only in Kuwait to a B2B & B2C model with active users now in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
On top of this, the startup also acts as logistical support for marketplace vendors, a point of sale, and a comprehensive laundry management software solution. The startup’s mobile app allows people to select a laundry outlet in their area and place an order with dates and times for pick-up and delivery.
In a statement, the startup said:
We enable service providers to promote their service and provide professional cleaning services to our users, by building a platform that organizes peoples weekly cleaning needs from laundry to home cleaning and a car wash using justcleans mobile car wash service. we’re fulfilling a mission to grow local businesses and help people start-up.
Background of Founders
Athbi Alenezi
Athbi completed his Higher National Diploma in Information Technology at the Shrewsbury Colleges Group. He started his career working in the Human Resource department at the National Bank of Kuwait.
In 2016, he co-founded the Kuwait-based startup Masbagti. While in 2017, he co-founded another Kuwait-based startup JustClean.
Nouri Alenezi
Nouri like his brother completed his High School Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at the Shrewsbury Colleges Group. After that, he alongside his brother founded the Kuwait-based startup Masbagti.
Then in 2017, he co-founded another Kuwait-based startup JustClean.
Why JustClean?
Co-founder and managing partner, Athbi Al Enezi, in a statement said:
JustClean has become the preferred aggregator for laundry services across the region, through the combined efforts made by hundreds of our valued laundry partners and our 200+ team members. Our technological solutions have proven to be effective and as such, we have built our brand on being the go-to solution provider of choice for cleaning business owners across the Mena region.
The Al Enezi brothers, who founded the startup, plan to invest their resources to further improve the technology and expand the portfolio of services beyond laundry and vehicle washing, ensuring that JustClean transforms into a cleaning super-app worldwide, not just in the GCC.
Additionally, Al Enezi pointed out that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company’s business model has been reaffirmed to be versatile and adaptable to market conditions, creating new revenue streams that are diversified and sustainable.
Funding Raised:
Pre-Seed Round: Raised $1.3 million
In February 2017, the startup raised $1.3 million in a pre-seed round led by Faith Capital.
Seed Round: Raised $3.6 million
In March 2018, JustClean raised $3.6 million in a seed round again led by the investor, Faith Capital.
Series A Round: Raised $8 million
In February 2019, the startup raised a series A round worth $8 million led by the investor Faith Capital Holding.
Series B Round: Raised $8 million
Then in September 2020, the startup raised a series B round worth $8 million again led by Faith Capital Holding.
Venture Round: Raised $6 million
This year, in March JustClean raised $6 million in a round led by Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) with participation from other regional investors.
Future Plans:
This recent round of investment coincided with the launch of a new car wash proposition, offering the service to car owners either at home or in stations in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and recently KSA. The vertical expansion is part of JustClean’s ambitious plans to dominate the industry, which will continue with a rollout of the newly launched service in Qatar.
The startup plans to deliver a full suite of these services in Qatar by the end of the year, as well as a gradual launch of the SaaS solution in Saudi Arabia.