Startup of the Week: A platform for Doha-based freelancers courtesy of Ajeer!

Sonkie

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Every Thursday, ILQ features a different Qatari startup in our ‘Startup of the Week’ segment. Qatar has some of the most creative, unique, and impactful startups in the region, and we cover them all across a variety of industries in Doha—from fashion and beauty to food and dining, health, education, technology, and more!

This week, we're shining the spotlight on Qatar's mighty freelancers thru Ajeer—an online platform that provides part-time and project-based work for local talents in the country!

Whether it be for design purposes, business support or web development, Ajeer definitely has a task for you to earn money from as they have more than 11 job posting categories which are up for grabs!

Even Ajeer's logo was made by one of the freelancers!

One of the founders, Yasmin Kassem, shared that one of their goals is to encourage companies and entrepreneurs in Qatar to hire local talent.

"Ajeer was created to tackle an obvious demand in the local market. We found that a large number of employers are interested in hiring on a short-term basis and on the other hand, fresh graduates found great difficulty in getting hired for full-time positions."

Yasmin, together with her partner Haitham Al-Haidari, solves the above-mentioned issue by providing a platform through which tasks can be posted by employers on one side and freelancers (who can be students, fresh graduates, or professionals) can apply to these jobs on Side B.

The duo clarified that Ajeer is geared especially for university students with fresh graduates, entry-level, and mid-career professionals on top of their heads during the idea's materialisation August last year.

Six months into the business, Yasmin and Haitham are happy to share that they've been overwhelmed by the positive responses they're getting from freelancers and employers who are using Ajeer so far.

"We met with several freelancers who informed us about the struggle of finding freelance work and the lack of freelancing platforms that can successfully link them with job posters. We have 550 freelancers on Ajeer today."

Before Ajeer, the young entrepreneurs have initially founded Modaris—a Qatar-based online platform that helps connect students to tutors. Winner of the “Most Innovative Startup” at QITCOM 2017, it aspires to be the fastest and simplest resource for finding trainers and home-tutors in Qatar.

Haitham shared that he believes local startups are making crucial contributions to the economic growth of the country as they usually create employment opportunities.

"Since Ajeer and Modaris are tech-startups, we further contribute by investing heavily in research and development (R&D) and innovation. Tech-based startups also have a higher chance of successfully scaling to international markets which is what we're currently pursuing for Modaris."

The duo wrapped the encounter up by giving their advice to Qatar's ever-progressing young entrepreneur's community.

"It is challenging to establish a startup but it is also very rewarding. You will be at the forefront of something that you created. You will have the power to solve problems and provide value to people. You don't have to do it right from the first try. Do not be afraid or shy to ask for help. The startup scene in Qatar supports creativity, innovation, and commitment. If you try, you will get an overwhelming amount of support."

It's FREE to join Ajeer as a freelancer or as an employer to post jobs.