⚡️Thndr: Egypt’s #1 Investing App – But Can It Win in the Middle East?

With 3M+ downloads and $1.8B in trading volume, Thndr is Egypt’s Robinhood. But expanding into new markets like the UAE comes with challenges. Here’s what fintechs can learn.

Expanding a fintech across borders isn’t just about launching a new app version – it’s about deep localisation, regulatory alignment, and adapting to new user behaviours.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• ❌ Why Thndr’s UAE launch isn’t as smooth as expected.

• 📱 The key frictions in onboarding and account setup.

• 🪪 Why localisation matters – from identity verification to payment methods.

• 🔎 The importance of regulatory and market-specific integrations.

• 👩‍💻 Lessons for fintechs expanding beyond their home markets.

• ✨ Why fintech success isn’t just about a great product – but a strong go-to-market strategy.

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Thndr: meet Egypt's # 1 fintech investing app

Thndr is a YC-backed investment platform launched in Egypt in 2019 by Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr. Positioned as the Robinhood of the Middle East, Thndr aims to democratise investing across the region.

About Thndr

• Funding: $22 million (Tiger Global, BECO Capital, Prosus Ventures)

• User Growth: 3M+ downloads, 500K MAU

• Trading Volume: $1.8B in 2023

• Markets:

  • 🇪🇬 Egypt (HQ)

  • 🇦🇪 UAE (live mid-2024)

  • 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia (coming soon)

• Products: Mutual funds, stocks, gold, savings

• User Base:

  • 87% are first-time investors

  • Target audience: 25-40 years old

• Community & advisory:

  • Rumble: Advisory platform (200 EGP/month) with a dedicated Discord channel

  • Facebook group with 149.5K members