Thursday 12 / June / 2025
Muscat: "Raf", a student company affiliated with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat, offers an innovative Omani digital startup platform that enables individuals to easily create smart online stores, relying on artificial intelligence technologies specifically trained for the Omani market.
The platform aims to enable young people and those interested in e-commerce to enter this field without the need for any technical or design expertise, through a seamless and integrated user experience.
Saif bin Jumaa Al Hashar, CEO of "Raf" Student Company, explained that the platform allows users to set up their stores, adjust prices, track competitors' movements, and analyze data in an automated and intelligent manner.
Al Hashar pointed out that "Raf"'s vision aligns with the digital transformation trends in the Sultanate of Oman, by harnessing artificial intelligence technologies to serve entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Saif Al Hashar said: "Today, I lead the "Raf" team, which consists of 12 members from diverse backgrounds, including programming, marketing, design, and financial management."
Al Hashar pointed out that "Raf" seeks to offer flexible subscription plans that suit entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, making it a suitable option for those wishing to launch their own online businesses.
He emphasised that the company's goals are to enable everyone to easily enter the e-commerce market, support Omani youth with smart tools to start their businesses, and promote digital entrepreneurship locally and regionally.
Saif Al Hashar explained that the company targets young entrepreneurs, owners of small and medium enterprises, university students, and those interested in digital entrepreneurship.
He emphasised that "Raf" was selected among the top 40 startups from among more than 300 participants in the "Injaz Oman 2025" program, making it to the list of the top 40 projects in the Sultanate of Oman.
He noted that work on the "Raf" project began in January 2024, and the development of the prototype was completed in early 2025.
Saif Al Hashar added that "Raf" intends to launch the final version of the platform in early 2026, in addition to seeking initial funding to expand the service locally, obtain institutional support, and form strategic partnerships.
It is worth noting that "Raf" seeks to become one of the leading platforms in the field of smart e-commerce in the region by launching future features powered by artificial intelligence, such as sales data analysis, product recommendations, and a smart business assistant that contributes to the efficient growth of users' businesses.
