The fitness and health wearable technology company is proving its commitment to Arab customers by announcing the launch of an Arabic language version of its app. Upon its release, users will be able to view their sleep, recovery, strain, and health data in their native language. Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, has expressed his excitement over the plan.
“The response to WHOOP across the Middle East has been incredible. The GCC has become a major market for us, and we’re seeing strong growth across the broader Middle East and North Africa. We’ve made a significant commitment to the region and we’re going to keep investing here. Launching in Arabic is a crucial part of that strategy.”
WHOOP’s Performance in the GCC Market
It has a significant subscriber count in the GCC, with memberships increasing by over 75 % year-over-year. Of those subscribers, women make up an important segment, according to Dr Ami Bhatt, WHOOP’s chief medical officer. In an interview with The National, she said:
“Across the GCC, female member growth has increased more than 90 percent year-over-year, with strong growth across every market we track.”
Who is Will Ahmed?
The Egyptian-American founder came up with the idea for WHOOP after experiencing frustrations as an athlete. As a member of Harvard University’s squash team, Will trained hard every day, yet he was always exhausted. He couldn’t understand what he was doing wrong.
Fueled by the need for answers, he developed WHOOP at Harvard Innovation Labs in his final year. Even though he was faced with a lot of rejection in the beginning, he persevered. Eventually, the business skyrocketed with acclaimed athletes such as LeBron James and Michael Phelps wearing the product. Today, it is valued at $10.1 billion.
How Does This Fit Into WHOOP’s Wider GCC Strategy?
The new language option is just one of the plans that WHOOP and its new partner Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company are working on. Back in March, Mubadala participated in WHOOP’s Series G funding round. The $575 million funding round attracted prominent international corporations and individual investors, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Karen Wazen.
Together, the two partners are planning on expanding WHOOP’s UAE operations while supporting preventative healthcare, scientific research, and innovation. In an effort to grow its operations, it has also announced the opening of a second office in the UAE. On Mubadala’s podcast, The Exchange, Will Ahmed commented on the necessity of this step.
“We view it as a critical footprint for growth both in the GCC and also growth in Africa, Asia and other new markets for Whoop.”
WHOOP’s Expansion Beyond the UAE
WHOOP isn’t placing all its eggs in one basket. Beyond the UAE, it has announced that it will open an international performance research and development facility in Qatar later this year. This will be the first facility of its kind located outside of Boston, where they are headquartered.
It has also developed relationships with several regional sporting organisations. It has become the official health performance wearable partner of Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Football Club and the Doha Marathon.
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