Zinc Print, co-founded by Mohamed Dargham and Amr Salama, offers a platform for on-demand printing, enabling entrepreneurs to create and sell custom products without upfront costs. The company has seen significant growth since its launch, attracting over 130 sellers and generating millions in sales, while aiming to expand its services across the Middle East.
In a recent episode of Shark Tank Egypt, co-founders Mohamed Dargham and Amr Salama introduced their innovative startup, Zinc Print, which aims to revolutionize the way entrepreneurs approach product creation and sales. They sought an investment of 5 million Egyptian pounds for a 20% stake in their company.
Zinc Print is an on-demand printing platform designed for creators, online store owners, and graphic designers. The platform allows users to focus on their core competencies—design and marketing—while Zinc handles the production and shipping of their products. This model eliminates the need for significant upfront investment in inventory, which can be a major barrier for many startups.
This streamlined process allows entrepreneurs to test their designs and market demand without the risk of unsold inventory.
Since launching their platform in April, Zinc Print has experienced impressive growth. In the last six months, they reported sales of 2.7 million pounds, a significant increase from 1.6 million pounds during the same period the previous year. Currently, they have over 130 sellers on their platform and have shipped more than 20,000 orders, producing around 94,000 items.
The global market for on-demand printing and customized gifts is estimated to be worth 42 billion dollars, with projections suggesting it could reach 13 billion dollars in the next few years. This presents a substantial opportunity for Zinc Print to expand its operations and capture a larger share of the market, particularly in the Middle East.
The Zinc team currently consists of 12 members, including full-stack developers and production staff. With the support of investors from Shark Tank, they aim to grow their team and establish a strong foothold in the on-demand printing industry in the region. Their vision is to empower more individuals to turn their ideas into tangible products without the burden of upfront costs.
During their pitch, the founders shared their journey, including their initial struggles with traditional retail methods. They highlighted the success stories of young entrepreneurs like Ibrahim and Amina, who launched their online store with minimal investment using Zinc Print's services. The Sharks were impressed by the concept but raised concerns about scalability and competition.
After some deliberation, several Sharks expressed interest in investing, with offers ranging from 35% to 50% equity for the requested investment. The discussions highlighted the potential for Zinc Print to become a leading platform for local entrepreneurs looking to enter the e-commerce space.
Zinc Print is poised to make a significant impact on the startup ecosystem in Egypt and beyond. By providing a platform that simplifies the process of product creation and sales, they are enabling a new generation of entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital marketplace. With the right investment and strategic growth, Zinc Print could become a cornerstone of the on-demand printing industry in the Middle East.
