Dubai’s Paquik Launches Peer-to-Peer Shipping Platform with Pre-Seed Funding Boost

Dubai-based startup Paquik has secured $85,000 in a pre-seed round backed by angel investors in November 2025, marking the official launch of its cross-border delivery platform. It may not sound like a massive cheque by Gulf standards, but for an early-stage logistics play, it’s a clear signal of intent.

Founded by George Antakiss, Paquik is building a peer-to-peer shipping model that connects people who want to send items abroad with trusted travellers who have spare luggage space. In simple words, if you’re flying from Dubai to Cairo with half an empty suitcase, someone else can use that space to send a parcel. Clever, right? I’ve seen founders in our region try to crack logistics for years, and it’s often a bit of a faff dealing with traditional couriers for small personal shipments. This model feels more nimble.

The platform leans heavily on technology to make this stranger-to-stranger exchange safer. It uses KYC identity verification, an escrow payment system where funds are held securely until delivery is confirmed, and a review and rating mechanism. That mix is designed to build trust—because, let’s be honest, handing your belongings to someone you met through an app requires a leap of faith.

Paquik began its early operations along the UAE–Egypt corridor, a route known for heavy travel traffic and strong demand for cross-border shipments. According to company figures, the platform has already attracted more than 17,000 registered users and generated over $10,000 in early revenues within its first months. For a newly launched marketplace, those are not numbers to ignore.

The fresh funding has gone into strengthening the product and operations. That includes developing mobile applications, expanding verification systems, and growing the team across engineering, technical support and marketing. The company has also taken part in exhibitions and rolled out awareness campaigns to introduce the concept to a wider audience.

Antakiss has pointed out that while global travel continues to grow rapidly, logistics services still rely largely on traditional models. Technology, he noted, now makes it possible to create trust between strangers through secure payments and verification systems. It’s a fair observation. On the flip side, execution will be everything in this space, especially when dealing with customs regulations and cross-border compliance.

Interestingly, Paquik operates without owning fleets, warehouses or aircraft. Instead, it positions itself as a complementary layer to conventional logistics providers, tapping into unused luggage space. Asset-light models like this can scale fast if the demand and trust are there, I reckon that’s both the opportunity and the risk in one neat package.

Looking ahead to 2026, the startup plans to expand into new corridors across GCC countries, roll out additional product features, and enlarge its team. Expansion sounds exciting on paper, but regional scaling can be tricky. Still, if the early traction on the UAE–Egypt route is anything to go by, Paquik may well be spot on timing-wise.

At Arageek, we often speak about startups that rethink everyday problems rather than invent flashy solutions from scratch. Cross-border shipping for personal items is not glamorous, but it is very real for thousands of expats and families across the region. And sometimes, that’s where the most intersting opportunities quietly sit, hiding in plain sight.

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