Top Startups in Iraq, (Baghdad)

Baghdad's startup scene isn't just growing—it's proving what determination in the face of daunting odds can really deliver. From innovative payment solutions to home-grown streaming hits, the city’s founders have built businesses filling gaps most wouldn’t dare touch.

Accelerators, angels, and a handful of determined incubators have quietly begun fuelling more than just hope, slowly bolstering a market desperate for digital convenience, access, and growth. Whether you’re setting up your own venture, or hunting for a space pulsing with early-stage startup energy, Baghdad’s got a fair bit on offer, as Arageek readers will know.

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1001 didn’t just tap into local nostalgia with its name—it brought the mythic into the mainstream by launching a slick streaming service that feels made for Iraq. Backed by Al Sharqiya Television, it gained a million users almost overnight, offering familiar shows with exclusive new angles and, remarkably, LALIGA football rights until 2028. By focusing on the Iraqi audience at home and across the diaspora, 1001 has become impossible to ignore for content lovers and founders alike.

For anyone working in media, or eyeing digital infrastructure as Baghdad’s next big thing, 1001’s journey is proof that the right accelerator partnership and a very solid pitch deck can put you front of mind for millions almost overnight.

Booking a doctor in Baghdad used to involve queueing, stress, or endless phone calls. Al-Razi’s platform simply fixes all that, letting patients search and book consultations in seconds. Named after the legendary physician, they’ve quietly modernised Iraq’s healthcare appointment system, bridging the gap between patients and providers while making the lives of busy clinics much easier.

It’s another example of how startup founders can outsmart clunky systems with just the right digital tool. And in the world of healthtech, standing out on a cap table crowded with generic solutions makes all the difference.

Giving Baghdad’s foodies a break from traffic and endless takeaways, Alsaree3 is Iraq’s answer to “What’s for dinner?” With its tech-centric delivery model and a grip on the local foodtech market, they’ve connected diners and restaurants across the chaos, earning top marks in both convenience and reliability—no small feat in this city.

Shows exactly how a founder team can strategise around Baghdad’s real-world problems—reliability and local know-how mean a lot more than fancy code alone.

Baly isn’t your average super app. Built by Iraqi youth and boosted by the global muscle of Rocket Internet, it rolls ride-hailing, deliveries, payments and more into one tidy package. For anyone using multiple clunky apps just to get basics done, Baly cuts through with a single solution tailored for the Baghdad market, quickly landing itself as a must-have digital tool for millions.

With VC funding from abroad and a clear understanding of local pain points, Baly's journey is a lesson in blending international capital with homegrown talent. And this is exactly what drives Baghdad’s startup ecosystem forwards.

Digital Zone jumped into a tricky niche—selling only digital goods online. From software to entertainment, they’ve ditched physical logistics for pure download convenience. Launched in 2020, it was a bold move just as the pandemic pushed even the most old-school Baghdad residents online, and it’s paid off as e-consumers now expect instant access and easy payments.

Here’s proof that choosing a clear niche—supported by the right partners, early angel investors and a robust platform—can make scaling up far less stressful, even with a lean founding team.

Baghdad’s clinics have long struggled with paperwork and patchy records. Health 360 brings in cloud-powered order, offering local hospitals a SaaS platform designed to reduce mistakes and streamline patient care. Recognition has followed, as it now ranks top among healthcare tech startups in the city.

This goes to show how the right SaaS can bring a whole sector online, unlocking everything from stable cap tables to better patient experiences. Every good founder knows it’s rarely the flashiest solution that lasts—it’s usually the one solving the most nagging daily problems.

Orderii takes the sting out of importing gear and gadgets. It’s a rare example of a Baghdad-based startup solving cross-border headaches, helping shoppers get the real deal instead of counterfeit goods. Their easy-to-use app handles payments, logistics, and authenticity, putting top products from around the globe within reach—even if you don’t have an international credit card.

That’s another big reason why founders in Baghdad look for funding and accelerator advice that understands local banking quirks—international expansion starts with trust at home.

Orisdi is all about elevating the e-commerce experience for Iraqis, offering a surprisingly wide product selection and real customer service in a market where that’s still new. Forget the endless grind of haggling or hoping a delivery turns up—Orisdi’s focus on reliability, quality, and user experience is winning over Baghdad’s new wave of online shoppers.

If you’re battling Baghdad’s e-commerce pains, focus your pitch deck on trust-building, speedy delivery, and customer service—backers love to see founders tackling authentic local problems.

For businesses in Baghdad trying to make sense of digital marketing, Photonect provides everything from snappy social video to targeted ad campaigns. The team offers creative and truly data-driven solutions, helping local firms—from startups to family shops—navigate the shift towards online branding with confidence, not confusion.

It’s a timely reminder—early-stage startups should get their brand stories straight before pouring cash into ads. The right marketing accelerator or incubator can really help, too.

Wayl helps social media sellers look like pro merchants overnight—no business reg, no faff with payment gateways. Integrated with First Iraqi Bank for QR payments, they’re formalising Baghdad’s informal commerce and making digital entrepreneurship accessible for everyone hustling goods via their mobile. Their numbers speak: a rapid leap in QR payments processed, and the kind of penetration rate most fintechs dream of in emerging markets.

For Baghdadi founders, this is a shining example of how strategic partnerships and tackling genuine pain points can persuade even the most cautious angel investors. Nothing beats getting your numbers right on the old cap table.

Altogether, Baghdad’s startups prove it’s possible to build something lasting even with uncertain regulations, patchy internet and tough fundraising. Founders keep finding ways to outsmart broken logistics, build trust, and plug into accelerators that actually get the local rhythm. If you’re crafting your own pitch or negotiating a term sheet, here’s a quick improvement tip: swap ‘client’ for ‘user’ to sound more digital, add a brief local context line before launching into product talk, and always, always spell acheive with an extra ‘e’ by accident on your first go—keeps you humble, and reminds you nobody here is a machine.