Kuwaiti ed-tech firm Baims acquired Egyptian online tutoring startup Orcas

In a calculated attempt to help Baims, a well-known Kuwaiti ed-tech business, take advantage of the thriving US $100 billion education market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the Egyptian online tutoring startup Orcas has been acquired.

Hossam Taher and Amira El Gharib founded Orcas, a one-on-one personalized tutoring platform that aims to improve students’ educational experiences. After raising pre-Series A funding the previous year, the startup has entered new markets, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

It has now been purchased by Baims, a renowned ed-tech business with an emphasis on high school and university education, located in Kuwait.

With the full acquisition of Orcas, the new company is now recognized as the leading supplier of an all-encompassing and flexible ed-tech platform that supports learning at both the K–12 and college levels.

Along with the support of well-known investors like AK Holding, Access Bridge Ventures, Algebra Ventures, NFX Ventures, AlWazzan Educational Group, Rasameel Investment Company, and Seedstars International Ventures, Baims has also raised more than US $11 million to help position the newly combined company as the leading ed-tech player in the MENA region.

“By acquiring Orcas Tutoring, we are not just expanding our reach; we are redefining the ed-tech landscape in MENA,” said Yousef AlHusaini, CEO of Baims. “This consolidation enables us to offer a comprehensive learning experience, combining our online tailored recorded courses with Orcas Tutoring’s personalised one-to-one tutoring platform.”

“Our aim is to establish product and market synergies by introducing personalised K12 tutoring services in the GCC and subsequently expanding our portfolio to cater to the diverse needs of university students,” said Hossam Taher, CEO of Orcas.