Lola from Bahrain raises $1.3M pre-seed to expand across GCC

Baking Memories, One Celebration at a Time

Bahrain-based foodtech startup Lola has secured $1.3 million in pre-seed funding to fuel its expansion across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. The round was led by Plus VC and Vision Ventures, with participation from strategic angel investors.

Since its launch in September 2023, Lola has been redefining the cake industry with its AI-powered mobile app that offers a highly customizable cake-ordering experience. With rapid traction in Bahrain, the company expanded to Riyadh in July 2024 and the UAE in December 2024.

What’s Next for Lola?

With this fresh funding, Lola plans to:

• Expand in Saudi Arabia, starting with Jeddah and the Eastern Province.
• Enhance its platform with better personalization and customization tools.
• Optimize logistics to ensure faster and more efficient deliveries.
• Grow its team to support its regional expansion efforts.

The Future of Cake Customization

Lola is more than just a food delivery service—it’s a personalized gifting platform that allows users to design cakes in under a minute. Customers can choose from thousands of unique designs, colors, and customization options, making every cake as unique as the occasion it celebrates.

“The cake industry is vast and competitive, but Lola has always been about baking memories, not just delivering a product,” said Othman Janahi, Founder & CEO of the foodtech company. “With demand for personalized gifting growing, we remain committed to setting new industry standards.”

Investors’ Take on Growth with Lola

Kais Al Essa, Founding Partner & CEO at Vision Ventures:
“Lola fixes a real-world problem—ordering a cake today can be awkward for both customers and bakeries. Their app makes the process seamless, ensuring accurate designs and hassle-free delivery. We believe Lola will soon be a brand to reckon with.”

Hasan Haider, Managing Partner at Plus VC:
“We love supporting startups that redefine industries, and Lola is doing just that. By merging personalization and technology, they’re transforming how people celebrate special moments.”

The Road Ahead

Lola’s mission is to revolutionize celebrations across the GCC and beyond. With technology, creativity, and customer convenience at its core, the company is set to become the go-to platform for personalized gifting and cake ordering in the region.