Heba El Gabaly (Efreshli)

Overview

Heba El Gabaly is an Egyptian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Efreshli, an innovative online platform that enhances the home furnishing experience by allowing customers to visualize room setups before purchasing through a virtual decor tool. Launched in 2019, Efreshli has gained significant traction by making interior design more accessible and convenient, integrating technology with traditional furniture shopping. Under El Gabaly's leadership, the startup has continued to expand its offerings and influence in the Middle Eastern online interior design market.

Recent Developments

November 2024: Efreshli successfully closed a seed funding round led by Algebra Ventures, with participation from 500 Startups, Dar Ventures, and angel investors. This funding aims to enhance product offerings and expand the company's product line. The startup also welcomed Dina Elhaddad as co-founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO), marking a key milestone in advancing Efreshli's tech-driven growth.
June 2023: Efreshli was honored with the Interior Design Award at the Egypt Entrepreneur Awards, recognizing the company's innovative contributions to making interior design services accessible and technologically advanced.
2021: Efreshli secured a $550,000 seed round led by angel investor Tarek Sakr and property developer Marakez, facilitating the geographical expansion of the company's tech and operational footprint across Egypt.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Heba El Gabaly
Born	Not available
Nationality	Egyptian
Occupation	CEO, Entrepreneur
Known For	Founder of Efreshli
Education	Not publicly available
Residence	Currently based in Dubai

Early Life and Education

Details about Heba El Gabaly's early life and education are not widely published. Before founding Efreshli, she was involved with Eklego Design in Egypt, where she played a significant role in managing and growing the company's retail business. This experience laid the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey, giving her insight into the design and retail industries that would later inform the core business model for Efreshli.

Career and Notable Achievements

Heba El Gabaly's professional journey is marked by her visionary approach to integrating technology with traditional retail experiences:

Eklego Design: As a former partner at Eklego, a renowned design firm in Cairo, El Gabaly managed and expanded the retail segment of the business, gaining extensive knowledge in interior design, business management, and client relations.
2019: Founded Efreshli with a mission to democratize interior design, offering a platform where users can visualize furniture in their homes before purchasing.
2021: Secured a significant seed funding to scale operations and begin expanding Efreshli's digital platform, demonstrating the viability of a tech-enabled approach to home furnishing.
2023: Earned the Interior Design Award at the Egypt Entrepreneur Awards, highlighting Efreshli's impact on the design industry.

Current Work and Impact

Heba El Gabaly is at the forefront of leading Efreshli towards becoming a dominant player in the online home furnishing market in the Middle East. She continues to steer the company toward innovation by integrating user-centric technologies and expanding Efreshli's footprint across the region. Under her leadership, Efreshli emphasizes creating a seamless user experience that bridges the gap between traditional furniture design and digital accessibility.

Conclusion

Heba El Gabaly has established herself as a pivotal figure in the Middle East's tech and design landscapes through her work with Efreshli. Her commitment to integrating technology with interior design has not only transformed her business but also set new standards within the industry. As Efreshli continues to grow, El Gabaly's influence and contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the MENA region are likely to inspire future innovators and further elevate the role of technology in design and retail.