Camlist Raises $1.3M to Expand Pet Video Marketplace in the UK

Camlist Secures $1.3 Million to Revolutionize Pet Marketplace

Camlist, an innovative video marketplace dedicated to pets, has successfully completed a $1.3 million pre-seed funding round. These newly acquired funds will be strategically allocated towards platform development and workforce expansion.

The company intends to broaden its operational footprint, with a particular focus on the UK – its second market following its initial launch in the U.A.E. earlier this year.

A New Approach to Online Pet Sales

Distinguishing itself from conventional online marketplaces, Camlist, a name derived from “camera listing,” empowers sellers to showcase their pets through video listings.

Upon establishing contact, prospective buyers and sellers can interact via both video and text chat directly within the application.

Currently focused on pet listings, the platform is poised to diversify its offerings to include other items in the coming months.

Addressing the Shortcomings of Existing Classifieds

“Traditional classifieds and peer-to-peer commerce haven’t seen substantial innovation since the emergence of eBay,” explains Moustafa Mahmoud, co-founder and CEO of Camlist.

“They largely consist of listings, images, and contact information, lacking a more engaging experience.”

Mahmoud emphasizes Camlist’s commitment to transforming the marketplace into a dynamic video-centric platform, recognizing that every pre-owned item possesses a unique story.

Prioritizing Safety and Accessibility

Camlist is dedicated to creating the most secure environment for pet acquisition. This commitment includes ensuring verified health checks for all animals.

Furthermore, the company facilitates access to interest-free financing options, through partnerships with third-party providers, for buyers who prefer not to make immediate full payments.

To date, Camlist has successfully facilitated the rehoming of over 6,000 pets.

Impressive Growth and Future Expansion

“Our in-app Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) is experiencing 100% growth every two quarters, effectively doubling our performance each quarter,” states Mahmoud. “Currently, our total GMV stands at approximately $2 million monthly.”

Founded and initially launched in Dubai, U.A.E, last year, just prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Camlist benefited from a surge in pet adoptions as individuals sought companionship during lockdown periods.

“We are strategically building our marketplace category by category, and we believe the pet listing sector presents a significant and currently underserved opportunity,” says Mahmoud, who also holds a degree in computer science.

“As we grow, we plan to extend our platform to encompass a wider range of items.”

Experienced Leadership Team

Joining Mahmoud in leading Camlist is Maha Refai, the startup’s Chief Product Officer, bringing 16 years of experience in building and scaling digital products.

Refai is also recognized as the creator of MBC’s flagship video platform, alongside several other successful video streaming products.

Alsayed Gamal, Camlist’s Chief Technical Officer, contributes 15 years of software engineering expertise, encompassing mobile platforms, data engineering, DevOps, API design, microservices, and serverless architecture.

Addressing Concerns in the Classifieds Market

Mahmoud’s inspiration for Camlist stemmed from his personal experiences with unsatisfactory purchases on classified sites in Dubai, U.A.E, where misrepresentation of items and scams were prevalent.

Dubai’s thriving classifieds scene, driven by its large expatriate population, unfortunately attracts fraudulent activity.

To mitigate this, Camlist offers in-app payment options, releasing funds only upon buyer confirmation of pet receipt, thereby deterring potential scams.

A Focus on Transparency and Quality

Camlist’s founders are committed to providing a marketplace where buyers can experience items of interest through video previews before committing to a purchase.

This is coupled with robust fraud protection measures and a dedication to delivering high-quality services.

The company also proactively engages with sellers to ensure responsible breeding and pet care practices, including vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping.

Comprehensive Support for Buyers and Sellers

“We extend our support to both buyers and sellers by offering complimentary vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, insurance, and pet food,” Mahmoud explains. “Our goal is to provide an exceptional experience for all users.”

Strategic Investment and Future Outlook

The recent funding round was led by Y Combinator, the renowned technology startup accelerator, Act One Ventures, an early-stage venture fund, and a consortium of angel investors from Houseparty, Mux, and Facebook.

“We sought investors who share our vision for the future of marketplaces, and we are fortunate to have partnered with individuals who are actively involved in building video-centric applications,” says Mahmoud.

Following successful traction in the UK, Camlist is setting its sights on the US market, recognizing its immense potential.

“Our current focus is on expanding within the UK, where we are already observing a significant impact. However, once we achieve a dominant market share, we will strategically expand into the United States,” concludes Mahmoud, who was born in Egypt and relocated to Dubai with his family at the age of six.