Elmenus – Personalizing Food Discovery

Details
Introductory about the startup/individual
Launched in 2011 by Ahmed Hafez, Elmenus is Egypt’s largest food‑search platform, using AI to personalize restaurant and menu recommendations.

What is the impact of the innovation/startup?
2 million+ monthly active users
Catalog of 1,500+ partner restaurants
Personalized feeds increased order conversions by 40%

Awards

MIT Arab Startup Competition Finalist (2013)
Seedstars Cairo Winner (2015)

Success Factors

Early investment in recommendation‑engine R&D
Strong local restaurant partnerships for exclusive deals
User‑first UX with real‑time feedback loops

Say something to young students, entrepreneurs and researchers
“Focus on one vertical, master its data, then use AI to amplify personalization and drive user loyalty.”