Israeli Delivery Startup Haat Expands to Tel Aviv, Challenging Glovo
Haat, an Israeli delivery company founded in Umm al-Fahm to serve the Arab population, is now expanding into Tel Aviv, directly competing with the dominant player, Glovo. The company's innovative approach to delivery challenges, particularly in unmapped areas, has garnered international attention, including a feature on CNN.
Haat was conceived by founder Hassan Abbasi, who, after working at Google in Switzerland, returned to his hometown and experienced firsthand the difficulties delivery drivers faced in finding addresses. In 2019, he co-founded Haat to address this widespread issue in Arab communities. A key innovation was enabling cash payments through the app, catering to individuals without bank accounts, which has become a significant advantage for the company.
The company also tackled navigation problems in areas with unnumbered houses and unnamed streets. Haat utilizes data from delivery routes and machine learning to map areas more accurately than conventional services, reportedly including 30% more streets in its operational zones. This mapping technology has also aided local authorities, such as in Umm al-Fahm, where it assisted in a project to assign street names and house numbers.
Haat's expansion has benefited local businesses, providing them access to new customers. Krunchy Chicken, a restaurant from Baqa al-Gharbiyya, cited Haat's online exposure and cash payment option as crucial to its growth. The company currently operates in 50 cities, partners with over 10,000 businesses, and employs more than 500 delivery personnel. Its valuation is estimated to exceed $100 million, and Abbasi was recognized on Globes' list of 40 promising young individuals.
Now entering the competitive Tel Aviv market, Haat aims to leverage its established advantages, emphasizing its understanding of local needs and its use of technology to fill service gaps. The company believes its localized approach provides a competitive edge against established services.
