10 Muslim-Owned Startups to Watch in 2025

In the dynamic world of startups, 2025 marks a pivotal year for diversity and innovation. Muslim entrepreneurs, drawing from a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and ethical principles, are leading the charge in sectors ranging from fintech to food tech and beyond. With the global Muslim economy projected to exceed $3 trillion by the end of the decade, these founders are not just creating businesses—they’re reshaping industries with Shariah-compliant solutions, community-focused impact, and tech-forward approaches that prioritize transparency and inclusivity.

This year, we’ve seen a surge in funding for halal-certified ventures and AI-integrated tools tailored to Muslim needs, fueled by investors recognizing the untapped potential in emerging markets like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North America. From streaming platforms celebrating Muslim narratives to blockchain-powered philanthropy, these 10 Muslim-owned startups stand out for their scalability, recent milestones, and alignment with 2025 trends like sustainable tech and personalized AI. Whether you’re an investor, consumer, or ally, keep an eye on these trailblazers—they’re set to define the future of ethical entrepreneurship.

1. Qalbox: Revolutionizing Muslim Entertainment Streaming

Launched in July 2022 by Bitsmedia, the parent company of the Muslim Pro app, Qalbox is a Malaysia-based streaming platform dedicated to global Muslim content. It boasts over 1,000 hours of films, series, and documentaries sourced from six continents, highlighting diverse Muslim identities from Indonesian dramas to Palestinian animations.

In 2024, Qalbox introduced a free AVOD (advertising-based video on demand) platform to broaden access to faith-enriching content. Backed by Bitsmedia’s $20 million Series A funding in 2023, it continues to expand with AI-recommended playlists and mobile-first features for the 2.5 billion Muslim smartphone users worldwide. What makes it a 2025 must-watch? Recent campaigns like “Stories of the Beloved” (July-August 2025) and Ramadan specials underscore its growth in AR/VR faith-based experiences, positioning it for partnerships with streaming giants amid the $308 billion Muslim media market by 2025.

2. Boxed Halal: Farm-to-Table Halal Meat Delivery

Founded in 2022 in Texas, Boxed Halal is transforming the U.S. halal meat market—projected to reach $1.38 trillion globally by 2025—with ethically sourced, certified proteins delivered via subscription boxes. It emphasizes grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and traceability through supplier partnerships, appealing to health-conscious consumers.

Key features include hormone-free options and pre-marinated cuts, with 2024 expansions into pop-up butcheries. For 2025, nationwide scaling with blockchain for supply chain transparency is on the horizon, especially as 30% of customers are non-Muslims seeking sustainable sourcing in the $2.8-2.86 trillion halal food sector. Boxed Halal’s fusion of ethics and convenience positions it to disrupt traditional grocers, with strong revenue potential in a market growing 25% annually.

3. Qara’a: AI-Powered Quran Learning

Qara’a, an Indonesian edtech startup launched in 2020, uses AI to deliver real-time feedback on Quran recitation, covering pronunciation, tajwid rules, and curricula from Hijaiyah basics to advanced murajaah. It’s designed for beginners to experts, verifying submissions with certified scholars to blend tech and tradition.

As of February 2025, it ranks No. 3 on Indonesia’s App Store education charts, with millions of downloads and no funding raised yet but 703 active competitors in the space. In 2025, partnerships with Islamic schools and multilingual expansions will tap the $6 billion global Islamic edtech market, leveraging AI personalization for underserved regions.

4. Zoya.finance: Halal Investing Made Simple

New York-based Zoya.finance, founded in 2020 by Muslim finance experts, is a faith-aligned app that screens stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds for Shariah compliance, syncing with brokerages for real-time tracking. Its API provides B2B Shariah ratings, making ethical investing as seamless as mainstream apps.

By April 2025, users collectively manage over $500 million in assets, reflecting explosive growth from prior years. With integrations across major brokers, Zoya aligns with the $2 trillion Islamic finance boom; watch for AI-driven portfolio tools in 2025 amid rising ESG demands, as highlighted in its top halal stocks guide.

5. HealthPro: On-Demand Healthcare Staffing

HealthPro.id, an Indonesian healthtech platform, uses AI to match vetted healthcare professionals with providers in real-time, reducing staffing gaps by 40% in underserved areas. It streamlines hiring for a network of licensed experts, earning recognition as a top innovation.

Backed by HASAN.VC, it won the 2024 Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award and aligns with Indonesia’s healthtech market outlook, fueled by government grants and telemedicine growth. In 2025, Southeast Asian expansion and AI hackathon integrations position it as a leader in equitable access, amid the nation’s $4 billion healthcare modernization push.

6. AnsariChat: Gentle AI for Islamic Queries

Founded by Waleed Kadous, AnsariChat is an open-source AI chatbot providing evidence-based, non-judgmental answers on Islam from the Quran, Hadith, and scholars—tailored for non-Muslims seeking understanding and Muslims deepening practice. Features include tafsir, Arabic morphology, and verse translations.

Updated in April 2025, it runs on LLMs like Claude for citations, with monthly costs exceeding $1,500 as adoption grows. In 2025, amid AI ethics focus, expect mosque app integrations and studies on user preferences, bridging knowledge gaps in digital da’wah.

7. Basbaas Foods: African-Inspired Halal Sauces

Hawa Hassan’s Minneapolis-based Basbaas Foods, launched in 2015, crafts plant-based, halal-certified sauces blending Somali and East African spices for versatile use—from pasta to falafel. Stocked in Whole Foods, it emphasizes ethical, local sourcing.

With 2024 sales surging and a James Beard Award for its cookbook, 2025 brings frozen meal lines and events like the James Beard Platform in March. Amid the $9 billion halal food boom, Basbaas’s cultural fusion celebrates Black Muslim cuisine, with ongoing fundraising for broader distribution.

8. The Codette Project: Empowering Muslim Women in Tech

Founded in 2015 by Nurul Jihadah Hussain in Singapore, The Codette Project is a non-profit training minority and Muslim women in coding through workshops, hackathons, and community events—including Asia’s first women-only Tech for Good hackathon in 2018. Hussain, a 2024 Prestige 40 Under 40 honoree, aims to diversify tech pipelines.

In 2025, virtual programs target 10,000 women, highlighted at the Accelerate Action IWD Conference in March, addressing the gender gap in the $500 billion industry. Its safe-space approach fosters economic empowerment and inclusivity.

9. Fasset: Digital Assets for Emerging Markets

Singapore-based Fasset, launched in 2021, is a Shariah-compliant web3 gateway for halal crypto trading and tokenized assets, targeting the next billion users in MENA and Africa. It has raised $32 million from investors like Gobi Partners and Investcorp.

Recording $6 billion in annualized volume as of October 2025, it’s projected to hit $24 billion by 2026. A game-changer: Recent provisional banking license for the world’s first stablecoin-powered Islamic bank, enabling Shariah savings and financing. In 2025’s $1 trillion crypto-halal shift, Fasset leads DeFi innovation.

10. GoBarakah: Transparent Philanthropy E-Vouchers

GoBarakah, a Malaysian fintech platform, digitizes aid via traceable e-vouchers for zakat and donations, ensuring 100% fund delivery to beneficiaries like gig workers and welfare nominees. Valued at RM70-220 per voucher, it processed significant transactions in 2024, including GrabScholar aid.

Winning the World Summit Award and three 2024 fintech honors, it joined the MIFC Global Impact Challenge in September 2025 and partnered with HLISB for value-based banking in March. For 2025, corporate onboarding scales impact in the $3 billion philanthropy space.

Why These Startups Matter in 2025 and Beyond

These 10 ventures exemplify how Muslim founders infuse innovation with values like transparency and community welfare, driving an equitable startup landscape. From AI ethics to sustainable food, they’re profitable and purposeful—Islamic tech funding hit $1.5 billion last year, signaling a bright horizon. Support them by investing, sharing, or using their products; together, we’re building a future where faith and forward-thinking coexist seamlessly. What’s your favorite from the list? Drop a comment below!