LAAM Technologies, an e-commerce platform focused on South Asian fashion, has raised $5.5 million in seed funding to accelerate its growth. The company, founded in 2021 by Arif Iqbal, aims to make South Asian fashion accessible globally while supporting local artisans and designers.
Iqbal, who previously worked at major tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Pinterest, says his experiences in North America inspired the launch of LAAM. “I realized that South Asian expatriates often struggle to find fashion from home, relying on family and friends to send items abroad,” Iqbal explains. “I also learned how to build and scale tech products, which was crucial in creating LAAM.”
The platform serves both local customers in South Asia and expatriates worldwide, with a particular focus on Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh—home to over 2 billion people. Additionally, LAAM targets the 100 million South Asian expatriates living abroad, offering a wide selection of fashion items that cater to their needs.
LAAM not only connects sellers with global customers but also helps local designers and artisans reach a broader market. The platform provides logistics, fulfillment, and customs services, along with software tools to assist sellers with tasks like inventory management and demand forecasting.
“Our mission is to empower creativity,” says Iqbal. “We’re supporting over 10,000 families by helping designers and artisans thrive.” The platform now boasts more than 100,000 products available for sale and has rapidly expanded, with revenues doubling each year. To date, LAAM has facilitated nearly $100 million in sales to over 500,000 customers in more than 100 countries.
The $5.5 million in seed funding, led by Disrupt.com and Zayn VC, will be used to further develop LAAM’s technology, including AI-powered tools for sellers, and to expand the company’s presence in key markets such as the U.S. and the Middle East. “This investment will help us enhance the customer experience in these regions,” Iqbal says.
The platform has seen rapid growth through strategic use of social media and SEO, leveraging Iqbal’s tech background. “South Asian communities are tight-knit,” he adds. “If you sell to five people, you can expect a much larger audience to follow.”
Investors are optimistic about LAAM’s potential. Faisal Aftab, managing partner at Zayn VC, praises the company’s ability to elevate South Asian fashion globally. “We believe LAAM has a unique opportunity to transform how South Asian fashion is perceived and accessed worldwide.”
Aaqib Gadit, managing partner at Disrupt.com, adds, “LAAM’s innovative approach to logistics and operations shows the product’s potential to redefine this market.”
With strong backing and a growing customer base, LAAM is poised to become a major player in the global fashion industry.
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