A Circular Tech Startup Turns Momentum Into Milestone
When Revibe co-founder Abdessamad Benzakour first helped a friend upgrade his smartphone on a budget, he didn’t realise he was setting the foundation for a business that would reshape the region’s electronics market. What began as a small, personal exchange has grown into one of MENA’s most prominent refurbished-tech platforms—now backed with $17 million in fresh funding to scale its impact.
A Refurbished Electronics Model Built on Trust — and Data
Revibe specialises in high-quality refurbished smartphones, laptops, gaming devices, smartwatches, and accessories. Its promise is simple: premium devices at significantly lower prices, backed by strong warranties and logistics that match new-product experiences.
But the company’s impact goes far beyond affordability. According to Revibe and sustainability-tracking platform Clean the Sky, the startup has already:
- Sold 80,000+ refurbished devices
- Helped customers save over $14 million
- Prevented 4 million+ kg of CO₂ emissions
- Saved 960 million litres of water
These figures underline the dual appeal behind Revibe’s growth: economic value for consumers and environmental value for the region.
A Market Worth Watching: MENA’s $6 Billion RefurbTech Opportunity
Consumer appetite for trusted, lower-priced electronics is rising sharply across the region. The MENA refurbished electronics market is estimated at $6 billion, with projections that it could reach $20 billion within the next decade as sustainability awareness grows and inflation reshapes purchasing behaviour.
The trend is especially visible in GCC markets, where consumers demand both quality and accountability—two areas where Revibe has intentionally over-invested through warranties, testing standards, and customer service.
Inside the $17 Million Round — and the Road Ahead
The funding round is co-led by ISAI and Resonance, joined by Kima Ventures and professional footballer Édouard Mendy, among other notable investors. It follows strong performance indicators, positive unit economics, and a growing footprint across the UAE and beyond.
With new capital in hand, Revibe plans to:
- Expand deeper into Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and South Africa
- Strengthen its logistics, reverse-logistics, and returns infrastructure
- Enhance its iOS and Android apps for more seamless shopping
- Invest further in quality assurance and refurbished standards
Benzakour describes the company’s mission succinctly: “making high-quality tech accessible, affordable, and environmentally responsible.”
Why This Moment Matters for the Region
Revibe’s rise is a clear signal of the region’s shift toward circular-economy entrepreneurship. It proves that sustainability-driven models can scale commercially—while solving real, everyday consumer pain points.
For MENA, this means:
- Reduced e-waste
- More affordable access to essential technology
- A stronger foundation for green and circular startups
- Policy alignment with national sustainability roadmaps
And for founders across the region, Revibe sets a template: combine regional insights, operational discipline, and a mission rooted in real consumer value, and the market will respond.
Key Lessons for Startup Builders
- Solve a problem big enough to scale. Affordability + sustainability is a powerful dual driver.
- Build trust like a product. Warranties, support, and transparency are as important as the tech itself.
- Sustainability sells—when it’s measurable. Revibe’s impact metrics strengthened its credibility.
- Think regional early. MENA’s markets share similar consumer needs, making expansion intuitive.
Editor’s Note — The Startups MENA Team
At Startups MENA, we focus on the narratives that define how the Middle East builds its next-generation workforce and innovation economy. Revibe’s new funding milestone is more than a business update—it highlights how circular-economy innovation is becoming central to the region’s tech story.
By enabling access to high-quality electronics while reducing environmental impact, Revibe represents a shift toward smarter consumption and homegrown sustainability solutions. It signals an ecosystem where affordability, innovation, and climate responsibility can coexist—and scale.
As MENA accelerates toward its long-term economic visions, the region is moving from adapting to opportunity toward creating opportunity. Revibe’s journey is part of that transformation.
— The Startups MENA Editorial Team
