UAE Neighbourhood app, Hayi, raises seed round to expand beyond Dubai
The UAE’s neighbourhood app, Hayi, has successfully raised $325K in its latest funding round. The community-based startup plans to use its recent investment to accelerate its growth across the UAE before looking to make strategic entrances into various new markets with the goal of becoming the largest hyperlocal social network in the MENA region, according to a statement from the company.
The fundraising round will really help Hayi develop the product further for all end users and create an exclusive space for them to connect, without irrelevant noise from outside their community.
Hayi is a hyperlocal social network that digitizes UAE neighbourhoods by connecting all neighbours, local businesses, and community managers to create stronger and more connected communities. Currently, the app currently only available to neighbourhoods in Dubai, has around 8,000 verified neighbours across 20 neighbourhoods within the Emirate.
Neighbours living in the listed neighbourhoods are required to verify their address to access the digital community, where they can then interact with other neighbours nearby, avail exclusive offers from local businesses, and receive community notices from their community management.
Hayi is committed to creating a safe and exclusive platform that can help bring communities together both online and offline. As part of its freemium model, Hayi looks to partner with all Community Management and Property Development firms across the region and has seen a sharp increase in interest from these firms in using the free app to better connect with their residents as well as create a stronger and more connected community.
Chris Darnell, CEO of Hayi commented “Residents are looking to connect with each other now more than ever. A stronger and more connected neighbourhood can introduce a wealth of benefits to an individual’s day-to-day life, as well as tackling an array of issues which have become inflated these past two years with the pandemic.”
On behalf of in5, Majed Alsuwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Media City, said: “We’re delighted to see that Hayi reached a new milestone. The start-up’s focus on local and hyperlocal communities is timely, with the past 18 months having highlighted the importance of bringing communities together both online and offline. Hayi joins a growing list of start-ups that are thriving after coming through in5’s ecosystem which is designed to help entrepreneurs transform ideas into commercially viable ventures. Success stories such as Hayi’s also bolster Dubai’s reputation as a leading destination for talent and entrepreneurs”.
