Egyptian startup Wasla lands USD 180,000 in its pre-seed investment round

INVESTMENT WATCH- Startup Wasla lands USD 180k in its pre-seed investment round: Android browser Wasla landed USD 180,000 in a pre-seed investment roundfrom a group of angel investors led by our friend Omar Barakat, Wasla said in a press release (pdf). The funding will be allocated towards the launch of a beta version, growing its user base, and the development of the company’s marketing and technology infrastructure. The goal of the platform is “to provide over 500 mn people in emerging markets with [mobile internet without charge],” Wasla’s co-founders Serag Meneassy, Taymour Sabry, and Mahmoud El Said said. In Egypt, Wasla is targeting 50 mn people between the ages of 13-40, given that 55% of Egyptian households rely on mobile internet. The platform has been in the works for a year and organically gained 2k users in its first 48 hours post-launch.