I’ve had the privilege of knowing Tarek for nearly a decade, from my earliest days in venture capital. Back then, I didn’t know him well yet, but I remember my colleagues at the time saying the decision to back him when he set out to build Seez was a no-brainer—he was the rare mix of vision and relentless execution that defines great founders.

Back when we first launched Nuwa, we had the opportunity to invest in Tarek again. It was during the peak of online automotive retail, when giants like Carvana and Cazoo were setting record industry highs and Seez was riding that wave. However, by early 2022 those models began to falter, market sentiment shifted, and many lost faith in the space, and that perhaps left Seez a little vulnerable.

Despite all the challenges, Tarek, Andrew, and the team adapted, readapted, rebuilt their technology, and shifted strategies. I’ll never forget the time when the company was facing an incredibly difficult time and not a single person walked away. They worked endless nights, and that unwavering loyalty was incredible to see. It was about resilience and an unshakeable faith in the vision of the company.

When I joined the board in early 2023, I had a front-row seat as they quadrupled their ARR, expanded into the US, UK, and Europe, and built AI-driven solutions that captured the eye of global giants and soon enough, offers were pouring in from everywhere.

Today, I’m incredibly proud to see Seez acquired by Pinewood Technologies Group, a publicly listed company. This exit is a milestone that signals a shift in how regional innovation is scaling globally.

We’ve seen exits in the region dominated by M&As, with IPOs slowly picking up. But this is different: a company built in the GCC, backed early, scaling globally, and now acquired by an industry leader on the public markets! It’s also first and foremost the deepest celebration of perseverance and hard work for the past eight years.

At Nuwa, we back founders who push boundaries and redefine what’s possible—and Seez is proof of what we’ve always believed: world-class businesses aren’t just coming to the GCC; they’re being built right here.

Congratulations to the entire Seez family on this great achievement, truly well deserved. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

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