In an inspiring response to rising inflation, 19-year-old Emirati entrepreneur Naji Faqihi Al Awadhi has launched SmartPocket, a dedicated student discount platform that helps users save approximately 20% on monthly expenses. The concept emerged from Al Awadhi’s personal experience during his final year at the American School of Dubai, where he noticed his fixed allowance increasingly failed to cover basic necessities as prices continued to climb.
SmartPocket, which went live in October 2025, now partners with over 20 brands across food, fashion, electronics, and subscription services. Students verify their status through university email addresses or official identification documents to access exclusive deals. The platform operates on a unique business model that charges no commissions or upfront costs to brands, instead offering free distribution to secure partnerships with companies typically hesitant about new platforms.
The development journey spanned two years and required significant operational sophistication compared to Al Awadhi’s previous venture in sneaker reselling. After initially developing the concept with a co-founder through family and friends funding, Al Awadhi bought out his partner’s stake before launch. The most substantial challenge came from refining the redemption system after meetings with Dubai businesses revealed different needs than initially anticipated.
Currently pursuing Entrepreneurship and Innovation studies at George Washington University, Al Awadhi manages the platform remotely while focusing on market feedback rather than immediate expansion. While GCC growth remains possible, the young entrepreneur emphasizes the importance of starting small and building gradually, crediting the UAE’s supportive business environment for enabling young innovators.
The platform enters a competitive market alongside international student discount services but has already generated valuable user feedback regarding verification processes and interface design. While long-term revenue generation strategies remain undisclosed, SmartPocket represents a innovative approach to addressing youth financial challenges in an inflationary economy.