• Saudi Arabia-based live shopping startup Rwaj has raised $1.2 million (SAR 4.5 million) in a pre-Seed funding round to scale its social commerce and auction marketplace across the region. The investors in the round were not disclosed.
• Founded in 2024 by Taher Alblowe, Rwaj operates a live social shopping marketplace that enables sellers to livestream products and sell them at fixed prices or through real-time auctions.
• The funding will be used to accelerate product development and support Rwaj’s growth and expansion across the region.

Press release:

Jeddah-based live shopping startup Rwaj has raised $1.2 million (SAR 4.5 million) in a pre-Seed funding round as it looks to scale its live social shopping and auction marketplace across the region. The investors participating in the round were not disclosed.

Founded in 2024 by Taher Alblowe, Rwaj provides a social commerce platform that allows sellers to livestream products and offer them either at fixed prices or through timed auctions where buyers can bid in real time.

The startup brings several elements of the live commerce process into a single platform, including livestreaming, bidding, payments and shipping. Payments are held in escrow until buyers confirm delivery, while shipping is handled through integrated carriers. Buyers can pay using Mada, Apple Pay or cards.

Rather than focusing on a single product category, Rwaj is designed for products that benefit from live demonstrations. The platform also incorporates social features that allow buyers to follow sellers, discover new merchants and return to future livestreams.

The company will use the new funding to accelerate product development and expand its presence across the region.