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.