Minly has launched its online marketplace presenting a platform for fans to book personalized videos from their favorite celebrities in the Middle East. The platform bridges the gap between fans and celebrities by creating a safe and secure space to personalize this connection. The application has attracted over a hundred superstars from a diverse set of fields including sports, music, cinema, and television.  

Tarek Hosny and Mohamed El-Shinnawy founded Minly earlier this year. The entrepreneurs have experience from tech and entertainment companies including MBC’s Shahid, Careem, Emerge Technology, Disney, Apple, Netflix, Mobily, and Vodafone. Hosny and Shinnawy founded the company in partnership with Tarek El Ganainy’s TVision, the media production arm behind widely distributed shows across the Middle East such as SNL Arabia. And Ahmed Abbas’ DigiSay, a leader in digital content management and protection with over 36 billion views across online platforms with partnerships with YouTube and Facebook. Minly is also backed by Foundation Ventures and HOF Capital, a global venture capital firm whose investments include Uber, Alibaba, and Epic Games. 

Through Minly’s platform, fans can browse from a catalog of celebrities, and request a personalized video shoutout from their favorite star. The celebrity receives the request and records a shoutout for the fan to enjoy, download, and share. Minly shoutouts can be a creative gift idea.

Fifi Abdou, Asala, Latifa, Hassan El-Raddad, Dorra Zarrouk, Amr Saad, Sawsan Badr, Hany Ramzy, Ahmed Rizk, Ahmed Zaher, Wael Gassar, Waleed Tawfik, Hazem Imam, Trezeguet, and Mido are among the stars that are ready to engage with fans across the region. Soon, Minly will serve other forms of entertainment and fan experiences beyond shout-outs.

In a statement to WAYA, Tarek Hosny, Minly’s CEO, said, “We had a hard time scheduling the launch of Minly, due to COVID-19. Over the past months, we have worked with determination and effort to launch the application on time, despite the risks. Our passion for the project helped us overcome these obstacles”. He adds, “Through the application, we aim to spread happiness and positivity among people, especially in these difficult times, and we have received good reactions from the public. We want to create a brand that makes a positive impact.”

The company’s team is split between Dubai and Cairo and aims to serve a global audience. For now the company is focused on Egypt. In the coming period, Minly plans to expand into the Gulf, starting with Saudi Arabia. At the same time, it will work to include more Middle Eastern celebrities.

Minly’s platform systematically monitors content shared and recorded to ensure a positive experience for both users and celebrities. Their guidelines prohibit hateful and violent content including negative slurs and criticisms. Minly aims to become a leader in digital entertainment in the region. The company’s business model leaves it uniquely situated to tap into growing enthusiasm across both established entertainment verticals such as film and sports, as well as growing forms of entertainment such as gaming and social media.