Idriss Al Rifai is very much part of a group that is trying to make the world an easier place for people to live in.
Since starting his delivery and logistics company Fetchr, it has seen enormous growth and success. While it started with six parcels on a table, today Fetchr is present in six countries, 30 cities and hires up to 100 people a week. He recently raised US$41 million to help expansion plans, including the creation of the UAE’s first autonomous drone delivery service.
What does winning this award mean to you?
Life as an entrepreneur is a roller coaster, and you put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it. Winning an award for your work is a happy reminder that what you are doing is a little bit special.
What excites you about the region?
We are a tech company, and there is so much disruption happening in this region right now. There are a couple of companies pushing towards the billion dollar mark, and we excited to be here at the right time and able to expand.
What does 2018 bring for you?
It’s going to be a big one. In 2017, we grew 600 percent! So next year, I might scale it back to only 300 percent! The key is to stay focused and keep trying to solve people’s logistics problems.
