UAE Startups Born During Covid-19 Thrive in Post-Pandemic Era

Dubai, UAE – Many startups that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic to address new challenges are now flourishing in the post-pandemic world, successfully establishing themselves across various sectors. From education to recycling, these businesses have grown and continue to make a significant impact.

Among these is Elmadrasah.com, an online learning platform that provides tutoring and educational programs, and Al Tabeeah, a manufacturer of biodegradable products. Both companies were founded during the pandemic and have since seen remarkable growth.

Rashid Al Balushi, co-founder of Elmadrasah, shared that while the company initially struggled, the pandemic dramatically shifted the way people consumed educational content, fueling demand for their services. “We now have 50,000 active students from 30 countries and over 1,000 teachers from nations including Egypt, South Africa, India, the Philippines, and the UK. We teach subjects from primary to high school, along with college admission programs, migration exams, and language courses,” Al Balushi said.

He emphasized that the platform has seen increased interest in learning Arabic, particularly in the GCC. “We are the first and largest platform for online learning in the UAE,” he added. Al Balushi explained that Elmadrasah aims to serve as a reliable online school for students from Grade 1 to 12, particularly for families traveling abroad who require instruction in subjects like Arabic that may not be available in other countries.

Speaking at the Expand North Star event at Dubai Harbour, which runs from October 13 to 16 as part of Gitex Global, Al Balushi revealed that Elmadrasah is preparing to expand into Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. Under the Dubai SME program, the platform charges between Dh50-60 for each one-hour session, with most students coming from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other GCC countries.

While Elmadrasah has focused on the education sector, Al Tabeeah has tackled the issue of waste management, particularly during the pandemic. The company’s founder, Shifali Mishra, said that her inspiration came from noticing the vast amounts of plastic waste, particularly in food packaging. Concerned about the health risks associated with plastic, especially when in contact with hot food, Mishra set out to create an eco-friendly alternative.

“We’ve replaced over 3 million pieces of plastic food packaging with compostable materials,” Mishra said, highlighting that many of their clients include airlines and catering companies involved in major events such as the FIFA World Cup. Al Tabeeah’s products are made from sugarcane waste, while its gifting items are crafted from cotton waste generated by the fashion industry.

The response to these products has been overwhelmingly positive, with growing consumer awareness about the dangers of plastic in food packaging. “People are concerned about the health impacts of plastic, especially for breastfeeding mothers. It’s crucial that materials that come into contact with food are plastic-free,” Mishra added.

These startups are part of a broader trend of businesses that emerged during the pandemic to solve immediate challenges and are now thriving in the post-Covid era, reshaping industries and promoting sustainability.