Hunting unicorns in the desert: The sudden rise of Arab startups

Aasia Abdul Aziz, one of the pioneer women drivers of Careem, checks her work App as she gets ready to drive in Karachi, Pakistan December 6, 2016. Picture taken December 6, 2016. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

In the rapidly evolving gig economy, there is a new way to car shop: spot one on the road that appeals, snap its photo with your phone and an app will contact sellers of similar cars near you and negotiate the lowest price – all within a few minutes. 

It’s remarkable not only for its technique but its location – Dubai. A few months ago, Tarek Kabrit, co-owner of Seez, the startup that makes the app, left a stellar career that included stints at Deutsche Bank AG and the Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Co to focus on his new venture.