UAE (Washington Insider) – 19-year-old Naji Faqihi Al
Awadhi launched SmartPocket in October 2025, offering verified students
discounts from 20+ brands, saving around 20% monthly, while studying at George
Washington University.
As Ahmad Waqqas reported on Khaleej Times, Naji Faqihi Al
Awadhi, a 19-year-old student at the American School of Dubai, has launched a
platform to help students save on everyday expenses. During his final year, he
noticed that his monthly allowance stayed the same while the cost of living
kept rising. Food, clothing, fitness, and other daily needs were becoming harder
to afford.
To address this, Al Awadhi created SmartPocket, a website
that gives students access to discounts from more than 20 brands. The platform
covers food, fashion, electronics, and subscriptions. Students can verify their
status using university emails or official documents like Emirates IDs.
“While our monthly allowances from our parents
stayed the same, our spending needs naturally evolved,”
Al Awadhi told.
“We found ourselves experiencing a little less each
month.”
How is 19-year-old
Naji Al Awadhi helping UAE students save 20%?
Al Awadhi first learned business at the age of 15 when he
joined his brother in reselling sneakers and streetwear. He initially worked on
the project with a co-founder and used funding from family and friends. Before
launching, he bought out his partner’s stake.
Officials mentioned that SmartPocket faced its biggest
challenge in designing a business model that worked for both students and
companies. Founder Naji Faqihi Al Awadhi first created a specific redemption system
for student discounts. After meetings with several Dubai businesses, he found
the system did not match their needs. He revised the platform to make it easier
for companies to participate.
“I transitioned to a system that better balances
simplicity for merchants with a seamless experience for students,”
Al Awadhi said.
“That shift required careful analysis, testing, and
time.”
The platform does not charge brands any fees or commissions.
It offers free distribution of discounts to verified
students. Al Awadhi is studying Entrepreneurship and Innovation at George
Washington University in Washington, DC, and is expected to finish his degree
by 2028.
“My main focus right now is listening croseny to
wnatue market needs, both from students and brands,”
he said, adding that GCC expansion remains a possibility.
He manages SmartPocket remotely while continuing to oversee
its daily operations. His focus is on collecting market feedback and improving
the platform rather than expanding immediately. SmartPocket faces competition
from international student discount services.
The RTA introduced NOL student packages at the GITEX global
technology show in October 2024. This system was established through a
partnership with the International Student Identity Card organisation.
Through this programme, students may save up to 50% on
public transport and receive discounts of up to 70% on products and services
provided by retailers and companies both locally and internationally. Students
will be given an individualised international student identity card that is
connected to their NOL card.
