Bahrain-based startup Sellou just bagged $3 million in seed funding, setting the stage for a major expansion across the MENA region. The social e-commerce platform, founded in 2020 by Salman Al Khalifa, is on a mission to make selling online more engaging, personalized, and video-centric — especially for individuals and small businesses.
What’s Sellou All About?
Sellou isn’t your average e-commerce platform. It’s a social commerce app built with a simple goal: to help sellers promote their products better using short, snappy videos. Think TikTok meets online shopping.
Here’s what makes Sellou stand out:
- âś… Sellers can create mini video stores in minutes
- âś… Seamless integration with WhatsApp and Instagram
- âś… Built-in live chat for real-time conversations with customers
- âś… Tools to schedule and manage posts across social platforms
- âś… User-friendly interface designed for mobile-first sellers
Video content is quickly becoming the go-to way people consume information. Therefore, Sellou is betting big on video-first commerce as the future of online selling. This is especially happening in a region where mobile usage and social media adoption are off the charts.
How will Sellou use the $3M ?
Sellou’s fresh funding will be used to:
- Develop and enhance the platform with new features
- Expand across the MENA region, targeting new markets
- Strengthen its position as the go-to video marketplace for social sellers
The startup aims to create an ecosystem where anyone can become a seller. A platform where video becomes the main medium for discovery, engagement, and conversion.
Backed by Support and Recognition
Sellou’s early momentum has already turned heads. The startup was selected by Tamkeen for the first cohort of the Riyada Business Accelerator, a major endorsement for emerging Bahraini ventures. They also participated in LEAP 2025, one of the biggest global tech events, with support from Tamkeen — giving them international exposure and access to the global innovation scene.
These milestones show that Sellou isn’t just building a product — it’s building credibility and attracting strategic backing along the way.
Why Now?
Social commerce is booming. More consumers are discovering and buying products through Instagram reels, TikTok videos, and influencer stories. Sellou is tapping into this trend by offering tools that put power into the hands of small sellers, letting them sell as easily as they post.
By combining the virality of social media with the efficiency of e-commerce, Sellou is shaping a new kind of shopping experience — one that’s visual, interactive, and built for the digital-native generation.