In the heart of post-conflict Syria, one startup is not just surviving, it’s thriving. BeeOrder, co-founded by Abdel Malek Al-Mouzayen, has emerged as a symbol of grit, resilience, and innovation. With a monthly GMV of $1.8 million and generating $400,000 in revenue, BeeOrder is quietly becoming one of Syria’s largest and most influential tech startups.
From Food Delivery to Fintech
BeeOrder launched in 2015, at the height of Syria’s conflict. What began as a food delivery platform quickly became a lifeline for both customers and gig workers. With sky-high unemployment rates, the gig economy wasn’t just a business model, it was a necessity.
Now, BeeOrder is entering a new phase. The company is pivoting into fintech, aiming to eliminate cash-on-delivery and modernize payment flows across its platform. It’s a strategic move that addresses both operational inefficiencies and security concerns.
- Started as a food delivery app
- Empowered gig workers in war-torn Syria
- Now expanding into digital payments and fintech solutions
Building Through Conflict
Malek reflected on BeeOrder’s evolution across two dramatically different periods:
“Until 2019, we were operating in a country at war. And yet, there was money flowing in. People abroad were sending support. Buying power was surprisingly strong. We even landed Lebanese investors in 2018.”
But the game changed in 2020, with the implementation of the Caesar Act, a sweeping package of U.S. sanctions targeting the Syrian regime. The act isolated Syria’s economy and restricted foreign investment.
- Sanctions triggered sharp increases in delivery and restaurant costs
- Customers’ buying power declined
- Skilled workers began leaving the country en masse
This dual pressure, rising costs and shrinking talent, pushed BeeOrder to the brink. Malek admitted that by 2024, the team was losing hope.
Then came a turning point: The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
A New Chapter for Syrian Startups
With regime change came a glimmer of economic and social renewal. For BeeOrder and other startups, it marked a long-awaited reset. The challenges remain real, but the path forward is less obstructed.
