Lola Raises $1.3M to Expand Cake Ordering in Saudi Arabia

Lola, a Bahrain-based cake-ordering startup, has secured $1.3 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate its expansion in Saudi Arabia. The round was led by Vision Ventures and Plus VC, alongside angel investors.

Founded in September 2023 by Othman Janah in Bahrain, Lola gained traction with a mobile app that lets users design highly customisable cakes in minutes. With thousands of design combinations available, the app simplifies the process while giving users full creative control.  The company expanded to Riyadh in July 2024, followed by the UAE in December 2024.

"The cake industry is vast and fiercely competitive, but Lola has always been about baking memories, not just delivering a product,” said Othman Janahi, Founder and CEO of Lola. “Since its launch, Lola has experienced rapid growth, increasing five times its size and market share in terms of cakes baked and occasions celebrated - and that’s just the beginning. As the demand for personalised gifting solutions continues to grow, Lola remains committed to setting new industry standards, delivering unparalleled customisation options and ensuring that every celebration has Lola as its centrepiece."

The online cake-ordering market has seen significant changes in recent years, as personalisation and convenience continue to influence consumer behavior. Traditional bakeries have relied on in-store consultations and phone orders, which can lead to miscommunications or limited creative options. Lola introduced an app-driven model that allows customers to see their designs before placing an order.

“We can all see how ordering cake today is awkward to both the client and the bakery,” said Kais Al Essa, Founding Partner and CEO at Vision Ventures. “We always love it when technology is used to solve real-life problems and make life easier for people. We believe Lola’s approach to cakes is disruptive and therefore envision that in the future Lola will empower cake making everywhere.”

The company’s next steps include enhancing its platform, optimising logistics, and expanding its team to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC market. The company is set to broaden its footprint in key Saudi cities, starting with Jeddah and the Eastern Province, to reinforce its position in the Kingdom as it builds a gifting ecosystem tailored to the region.