BrazilFrom an idea to a leading expert network: Infoquest’s growth journey
Expert network Infoquest has grown rapidly since its inception two years ago. We sat down with Founder and CEO Omar Yamak to unpack some of the ingredients of its success, and find out what the start-up hopes to achieve in the coming period.
Founded in 2022, Infoquest is a Middle East-focused expert network, positioning itself as a homegrown alternative to the world’s major expert networks. From its offices in Dubai and Beirut, the firm empowers better business decision-making in the Middle East by connecting clients to on-demand subject matter experts. Its clients are corporates, governments and consulting firms, while the experts in its network are leaders in industry, or specialists in a certain field.
“Infoquest addresses the growing demand for highly specialised, on-demand expertise and market research services across various industries, with a strong focus on the GCC region. Our clients often require immediate access to niche market insights and expert opinions for time-sensitive projects. Through our unique business model, we rapidly connect clients with the perfect subject matter experts, often within hours,” explained Yamak.
Its speed of service, backed by a cutting-edge technology platform built from the ground-up to meet the unique needs of expert matching, has given Infoquest the X-factor. “We’re able to bring superior quality, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, which has allowed us to grow into a serious player in the region.”
The types of engagements
Indeed, while Infoquest does not disclose its clients, competitive analysis by an industry analyst shows that Infoquest is today trusted by hundreds of corporations and over 80% of the international consulting firms in the region. The firm’s network now boasts over 10,000 industry experts. “Over the past two years, we’ve facilitated over 800 projects, with a 98% client satisfaction rate,” said Yamak.
Speaking about one engagement, Yamak points to a government investment arm which was seeking to source expert insights on emerging industry trends, as part of a strategic review process. “Infoquest connected them with specialists in emerging industries such as sustainable urban development, smart agriculture, renewable energy, health tech, blockchain, and smart cities. These consultations provided valuable input to strategic decisions.”
“Another case saw us working in the healthcare research market,” Yamak continued. “Infoquest sourced top specialists for studies on mobile telemedicine solutions, helping an investment firm understand the latest innovations in France and Germany. This was crucial in adapting and localising advanced healthcare technologies for the GCC market, driving regional healthcare evolution.”
Asked about an example in the consulting space, Yamak said: “We worked with a global consultancy firm on connecting them with top digital banking experts in Saudi Arabia. This provided the firm with deep knowledge of the local regulatory landscape, which is unique in the Kingdom.”
The consultancy used these insights to sharpen its insights on the regulatory landscape, and tailor its advice to one of its clients in the financial services industry.
Seizing the moment
Over the past decade, the global expert network sector has grown strongly, by double digits annually to reach a size of over $3 billion (according to one estimate). Yet in recent years, that growth has slowed, especially in mature markets. Yamak had previously anticipated that the Middle East would buck the trend, and months on, that seems to be the case.
“Transformational agendas, economic diversification strategies, and major shifts in human capital under the mantle of Vision programs are unleashing a huge need for strategic orientation, and that is driving demand for expert insights,” he said.
To seize the opportunities, Infoquest is dedicated to expanding its core offering – expert network and market research services – to a larger number of clients, with a focus on expanding its footprint in the key Saudi market. The expert network is also eyeing the launch of new offerings, such as conducting market research studies for corporate clients and investment firms. “These moves are part of our vision to become the leading information services firm in the Middle East.”
Yamak added that that vision would be nowhere without the “exceptional talent and dedication” of the Infoquest team. A notable example is its team in Beirut, which has shown “remarkable resilience” to the current economic and political climate in Lebanon, maintaining the firm’s operations and client services.
“Our success is built on our people, and they set us apart. They consistently deliver top-tier solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients, resulting in a shift of gigs from traditional networks to Infoquest. Our ability to pivot quickly and focus on delivering unmatched value to our clients, will continue to fuel our growth and solidify our place as a leading expert network in the region.”
