Background & Challenges
Founded in 2017 by Abdullah bin Shamlan, Ameen Mahfouz, and Abdulaziz Al Ashram, Speero began as *Autotash*, a WhatsApp-based spare parts marketplace. By 2018, the startup faced critical challenges:
Fragmented Market
Saudi Arabia’s $9.8B automotive aftermarket was dominated by offline, inefficient transactions.
Manual Operations
Reliance on WhatsApp limited scalability and customer trust.
Technical Gaps
No infrastructure to support real-time inventory, vendor coordination, or B2B SaaS solutions.
Investor Readiness
Needed a robust digital platform to attract funding in a competitive fintech and autotech landscape.
Ongoing Partnership
As of 2024, our team continues to support Speero through:
- SaaS Enhancements - AI-driven inventory forecasting and GCC expansion (UAE, Bahrain).
- Compliance Updates - Adapting to Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) regulations and Vision 2030 digitalization goals.
Why This Worked
Localized Expertise
Developers understood Saudi-specific challenges, such as cash-to-digital transitions and regulatory compliance.
Agile Scaling
Transitioned from Node.js to PHP to meet SaaS demands without disrupting live operations.
Investor Alignment
Technical milestones (e.g., cloud warehouses) directly supported funding narratives.
Solution
Phased Technical Augmentation
We partnered with Cardless to deliver a phased, scalable solution:
Phase 1:MVP Launch (2018–2019)
- Remote Team Deployment: Provided 1 Node.js backend developer, 1 iOS, and 1 Android developer to build Speero’s first app.
- Core Features: Spare parts catalog, instant quotations, 24-hour delivery integration, and partner dashboards.
- Scalability Focus: Optimized for high traffic and regional expansion.
- Outcome: Successful app launch with 500,000+ downloads in Saudi Arabia within two years.
Maslow Pyramid
Phase 2: Growth & Funding (2019–2023)
- Post-Launch Support: Maintained app stability during rapid user growth (750,000+ registered users).
- Investor Attraction: Enabled Speero to secure $1.8M in pre-Series A funding (2021) led by Nuwa Capital and Eq2 Ventures.
- Market Expansion: Supported integration with 1,000+ partners, including repair shops (Mohrkey, Geoshield) and insurers (Salama, Chubb).
Phase 3: SaaS Platform Development (2023–2024)
- PHP Backend Overhaul: Assigned PHP developers for 6 months to build Speero Works, a B2B SaaS platform for repair shops.
- Key Features: Inventory management, CRM, automated approvals, and analytics dashboards.
- Integration: Linked SaaS workflows with Speero’s marketplace for seamless order fulfillment.
- Logistics Automation: Enabled cloud warehouses in Riyadh/Jeddah, reducing delivery times to 24 hours.
Client Overview
Client: Speero (www.speero.net)
Industry: Automotive Aftermarket (Spare Parts & Services)
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Engagement Timeline:
- Initial Launch Support: 2018–2019 (Node.js backend, iOS & Android app development)
- Post-Launch Growth: 2019–2023 (Multiple funding rounds secured)
- SaaS Platform Development: 2023–2024 (PHP backend development for Speero Works)
Services Provided:
– Cross-Platform Mobile App Development
– SaaS Backend Architecture & Integration
– Ongoing Technical Support
Results & Impact
Speero’s technical evolution, powered by remote resource augmentation, positioned it as Saudi Arabia’s leading automotive aftermarket platform:
Business Growth
- $9.5M–$18.2M Valuation post-SaaS launch .
- 3.5M+ Instant Quotations generated annually .
Market Leadership
- Recognized as a “Top 10 Fintech Innovator” by Saudi Gazette.
- First GCC-based B2B2C SaaS platform for automotive repairs.
Operational Efficiency
- Reduced vendor coordination time by 40% through automated workflows.
- Achieved 99.5% transaction success rate post-SaaS integration.
Client Testimonial
Their developers didn’t just code—they became extensions of our team. Their work on our SaaS platform was pivotal in securing our market leadership.
— Abdullah bin Shamlan, Co-Founder & CEO, Speero
Conclusion
Speero’s journey—from a WhatsApp-based startup to a SaaS-powered industry leader—highlights how **remote technical augmentation** can accelerate growth in complex, regulated markets. By aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and leveraging phased innovation, Speero now drives efficiency across a $10B+ automotive ecosystem.