Middle East Technology Excellence Award 2022 for Startup in Education was presented to Zendy
Dec 6, 2022 |
4 Mins ReadThe platform won the award for startup in the education category, joining the league of past winners such as Du, Amazon (MENA), the Entertainer, & BLOOVO to become one of the most innovative companies in the Middle East.
For tech startup Zendy, it is simply unfair that students, researchers, and professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and other developing regions cannot access the same depth of research as those in developed countries. This is despite the rapid shift in the academic publishing spectrum.
Zendy is a product of Knowledge E, a private technology company providing access to digital libraries, training, consulting, and publishing services in the academic sector. Co-founded by entrepreneur Kamran Robert Kardan, it was built in response to the high cost of access to scholarly literature and the limitations of access to academic content in emerging and developing regions.
As such, Zendy, being a fast mover in the industry, offers an alternative to traditional access models. The startup works with publishers and researchers to bridge the gap in equality in emerging regions. It also offers a unique hybrid model for accessing content to meet the consumption needs of academic and non-academic professionals whilst offering publishers a share of the subscriptions’ revenue.
It offers users two options to access content: Zendy Plus and Zendy Open. The former is a subscription-based solution that provides individuals and organisations unlimited access to premium journals from major publishers, whilst the latter is a global open-access solution that features millions of OA resources from leading academic publishers.
Zendy Plus offers unlimited access to research for an average monthly cost of $15, whilst Zendy Open is free and available from anywhere around the world.
Zendy’s monthly user growth rate is 11%, with a sign-up projection of 35,000 by Q4 2022.
Zendy is also an avid supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals relating to equality and inclusivity in education to promote lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.
“We’re delighted to be recognised amongst leaders in the technology sector in MENA. What started as a simple concept of creating an affordable and accessible digital library, has now developed into a meaningful platform that empowers individuals to leverage research. The best part is that we’re just getting started. Our recent launch in Nigeria and soon-to-be-released feature updates are all designed to continue our mission to support lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, everywhere,” said Zendy Co-founder Kamran Kardan.
It has won the Startup - Education category in the recently held Middle East Technology Excellence Awards for this innovation.
The prestigious awards programme honours outstanding companies in the region that have made exceptional contributions in the pursuit of technological innovation in their respective industries.
This article orginally appeared on Asian Business Review.
Exclusive Offer for Zendy Users: SAVE UP TO 35% on UpToDate® Subscription
Zendy has partnered with UpToDate® to bring you trusted, evidence-based clinical decision support — now at a special discounted rate. As a Zendy user, you can now access upto 35% discount on annual (or longer) UpToDate® subscriptions. Subscribe Now About UpToDate: UpToDate is the evidence-based, physician-authored resource trusted for reliable clinical answers. It incorporates the latest medical findings, the best available evidence, and practical recommendations for patient care — so whatever your clinical question, you can be sure to find the answers you need. With a personal subscription to UpToDate, you can: Benefit from the expertise and clinical experience of more than 7,600 physician authors, editors, and peer reviewers who collaborate to produce trusted evidence-based content and recommendations. Increase your knowledge with access to more than 13,000 clinical topics in 25 specialties. Access select medication dosing and monographs, including interactive tools and enhanced international drug entries from our included drug reference, UpToDate® Lexidrug™. UpToDate® Lab Interpretation and UpToDate® Pathways You can also provide more personalised care with this interactive clinical decision-making resource. With UpToDate® Lab Interpretation and UpToDate® Pathways, included in all newly purchased personal subscriptions, you’ll have access to laboratory monographs and accompanying static algorithms to help you quickly interpret abnormal test results and choose next steps, along with interactive, evidence-based guides you can use for easy navigation of complex decision points‡. UpToDate MobileComplete™ Zendy members can also save on our mobile add-on, UpToDate MobileComplete™. MobileComplete allows you to download our full content onto your mobile device for faster access anywhere. The content is stored on the device for quick and convenient 24/7 availability regardless of signal strength or internet connection.§ Utilise the offer now How to avail of the offer? To subscribe and save, simply log in with your member credentials. Zendy rates will be reflected in the special store. Please note that the availability of special pricing will expire 30 minutes after you click the link to the UpToDate store. If you begin the order process and do not complete it within 30 minutes, prices will default back to regular rates. You will need to click the link again to initiate a new order session. Proof of status is required for all student orders. Subscribe UpToDate content is protected by copyright and owned and/or licensed by UpToDate, Inc. By accessing or using UpToDate content, you accept the terms and conditions of the CE Terms of Use, which prohibit the use, training, inputting or processing of UpToDate content by or into automated software or tools, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence solutions, algorithms, machine learning, and/or large language models. *Quoted savings rates are applicable to annual and longer subscriptions only, are based on the specified subscription type, and are reflected in the UpToDate store when you are signed into the Zendy website with your membership login. Applicable taxes may apply. Proof of status is required for all student orders. †Access to UpToDate mobile app or UpToDate MobileComplete™ requires a personal subscription. Wi-Fi access is required for initial MobileComplete download as well as content updates. Find current information on supported devices at http://www.uptodate.com/mobile. ‡UpToDate Pathways and UpToDate Lab Interpretation are included in all newly purchased individual UpToDate Online subscriptions. §Access to UpToDate mobile app or UpToDate MobileComplete™, our native mobile app, requires an individual subscription. Wi-Fi access is required for initial MobileComplete download as well as content updates. Find current information on supported devices.
Zendy Integrates OECD Open Data to Enhance Research Insights and Global Knowledge Access
Dubai, UAE – June 2025 – Zendy, the AI-powered research library, has integrated open-access data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) into its platform and AI research assistant, ZAIA. This strategic addition allows users to explore and interact with one of the world’s most trusted sources of economic, social, and policy data directly through Zendy’s intuitive search experience. Founded in 1961, the OECD—known for its comprehensive and rigorously curated datasets across sectors such as education, environment, health, and development—has recently made its data openly accessible. Making this data available on Zendy enables researchers and students around the world to access critical statistics and indicators, empowering evidence-based decision-making and academic exploration. With over 770,000 users across 191 countries and territories, Zendy continues to remove barriers to knowledge by equipping its global community with high-quality, relevant content. The integration of OECD data into Zendy’s library and its AI assistant, ZAIA, empowers users to ask complex questions and receive data-enriched answers within seconds. The inclusion of OECD data strengthens Zendy’s mission to promote educational equity and democratise access to the latest research datasets. OECD’s indicators provide essential context and insights for research projects, policy development, and business analysis. These valuable resources are now easily accessible through ZAIA’s AI-powered assistant and Zendy’s search platform. This move builds on Zendy’s commitment to creating an inclusive digital research environment where high-value content and AI-powered tools work hand-in-hand to support learning and discovery. For more information, please contact: Lisette van KesselHead of MarketingEmail: l.vankessel@knowledgee.com About Zendy Zendy is an AI-powered, mission-driven library committed to enhancing the accessibility and discoverability of scholarly literature, particularly in the Global South and underserved regions. Today, the library supports over 770,000 users across 191 countries and territories, offering a comprehensive collection of academic journals, reports, and research tools to empower educators, students, and professionals worldwide. About the OECD The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that promotes better policies for better lives. With 38 member countries, the OECD provides a platform for governments to collaborate, share experiences, and develop solutions to common problems. It collects and publishes data on a wide range of topics, supporting informed policymaking and global development efforts. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Zendy and e-Marefa Partner to Expand Access to Arabic Academic Content
Dubai, UAE – May, 2025 – Zendy, the AI-powered research library, and e-Marefa, the leading digital Arabic database, have signed a partnership agreement to expand access to high-quality Arabic academic resources for researchers, students, and professionals worldwide. This strategic collaboration will make e-Marefa’s extensive collection of Arabic-language journals, theses, conference proceedings, and statistical reports available on Zendy’s platform, supporting scholars in the Arab world and beyond, to enhance global access to Arabic scholarship. With over 770,000 users in 191 countries and territories, Zendy continues to grow as a trusted platform for discovering academic knowledge. By integrating e-Marefa’s content, Zendy reinforces its mission to ensure that critical regional knowledge is not only preserved but also made accessible and discoverable to a wider audience. e-Marefa’s database spans a diverse range of disciplines including humanities, social sciences, economics, education, and medicine. Through this partnership, these valuable Arabic-language resources will be more discoverable and searchable by a global Arabic academic audience, bridging language and accessibility gaps that have historically limited the visibility of Arab scholarship. The partnership also reflects Zendy’s commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural representation in research. In a global knowledge ecosystem dominated by English-language publications, ensuring the inclusion of Arabic content is key to fostering a more balanced, inclusive academic landscape. Zendy users will now be able to explore and benefit from e-Marefa’s content seamlessly, supporting regional research, curriculum development, and policy work rooted in the local context. Together, Zendy and e-Marefa aim to empower Arabic-speaking researchers and increase the global impact of their work. For more information, please contact:Lisette van KesselHead of MarketingEmail: l.vankessel@knowledgee.com About ZendyZendy is an AI-powered research library dedicated to increasing the accessibility and discoverability of scholarly literature, particularly in the global south and underserved regions. The platform currently serves over 770,000 users across 191 countries and territories, offering a comprehensive collection of academic journals, articles, and reports to empower researchers, educators, and students around the world. About e-Marefae-Marefa is the leading digital Arabic academic database, providing access to thousands of peer-reviewed journals, dissertations, statistical data, and specialised resources across a broad range of disciplines. Serving universities, research institutions, and libraries throughout the Arab world and beyond, e-Marefa is committed to advancing academic research in Arabic and increasing the visibility of Arab scholarship on the global stage. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }