YOUGotaGift, the leading digital gift card marketplace in the Middle East, has been acquired by Japan-based digital gifting platform Giftee in a landmark deal valued at $30.9 million. Announced earlier this month, the transaction closed on Friday, with Giftee acquiring a 91% stake for $28.1 million.
The remaining 9% stake is retained by Husain Makiya, the founder and CEO of YOUGotaGift. Established in 2013, the platform has become a prominent player in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Giftee plans to acquire the remaining shares in the coming years, completing full ownership of the company.
Exit for Key Investors
This acquisition marks a complete exit for YOUGotaGift’s previous investors, including Middle East Venture Partners (the largest shareholder), HoneyBee Tech Ventures, and Faith Capital, cementing a profitable conclusion to their partnership with the platform.
YOUGotaGift’s Market Leadership
YOUGotaGift is widely regarded as the Middle East’s leading digital gift card marketplace, offering services to both individual and corporate customers.
- For Individual Customers: The platform provides instant access to digital gift cards from over 1,000 regional brands and 5,000 international brands via its popular HappyYou multi-brand card.
- For Corporate Clients: It delivers end-to-end solutions, including corporate gifting, employee rewards, and customer loyalty programmes. YOUGotaGift serves over 2,500 corporate clients, with partnerships spanning prominent organisations such as Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Emirates Airlines, and several leading banks.
The platform has achieved notable growth, expanding its corporate portfolio by 30% since 2021, further solidifying its market leadership.
Strategic Partnership for Regional Growth
YOUGotaGift’s operations will continue to be led by Husain Makiya and the existing management team. Reflecting on the acquisition, Makiya stated:
“With Giftee’s backing and international experience, we are excited to strengthen our regional leadership position and expand beyond the GCC.”
For Giftee, which operates in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, this acquisition represents a strategic entry into the Middle East market.
“YouGotaGift provides the largest platform in the region for distributing e-gifts to individuals and corporations,” said Mutsumi Ota, CEO of Giftee.
“Since our businesses have much in common, we were able to share many things in a short time, including our medium to long-term visions and growth strategies.”
Enhanced Digital Gift Card Solutions
The acquisition aims to leverage YOUGotaGift’s regional expertise alongside Giftee’s international capabilities, enhancing digital gifting solutions across markets. Giftee’s entry into the GCC region also aligns with its broader ambition of expanding its footprint globally.
With this partnership, both companies aim to drive innovation and growth in the digital gifting space, catering to the evolving needs of individuals and businesses across the region.
