Unifonic

Unifonic's journey began in 2006, not in a boardroom, but amongst a group of visionary university students in the Middle East. At the time, mobile internet connectivity was limited, and popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook were yet to dominate the communication landscape. Recognizing a gap, particularly the restrictions on sending bulk SMS messages, Ahmed Hamdan and his brother Hassan Hamdan, then software engineering students, developed 'Resalaty'. This website allowed users to upload numerous contacts and message them simultaneously – a novel solution for the era. Their first customers were fellow university students, and as the platform gained popularity for various events, its potential became increasingly clear.

Despite the initial challenges of a nascent startup ecosystem, lacking robust financial plans and readily available mentorship, Resalaty gained traction. This early success and a clear vision for the future of business communication led to its rebranding as Unifonic. A significant turning point arrived in 2010 with a contract from Toyota Saudi Arabia, paving the way for further growth. The company opened its first physical office in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, in 2008. By 2014, Unifonic had processed its first billion transactions, a testament to its growing influence. A major milestone was achieved in 2018 when Unifonic secured $21 million in a Series A funding round, providing the capital to build a solid foundation for its ambitious plans. This funding was instrumental in evolving beyond basic SMS to address the growing need for richer customer engagement. Recognizing the shift towards multi-channel communication, Unifonic partnered with Facebook in 2019, becoming one of the first WhatsApp solution providers in the Middle East. This strategic move significantly changed the landscape of customer interaction in the region. The momentum continued, and in 2021, Unifonic raised a substantial $125 million in a Series B round, co-led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Sanabil Investments, to accelerate its growth and international expansion. In 2022, Unifonic further solidified its position in the AI-powered communication space by acquiring Sestek, a company specializing in AI solutions, to complement its product portfolio. Today, Unifonic stands as a leading customer engagement platform, processing over 10 billion transactions annually for thousands of businesses across more than 160 countries. From its new headquarters in Riyadh, Unifonic continues to drive digital transformation and foster innovation in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.