As the Middle East continues to embrace innovation and technological disruption, BaseTracK is carving out its place in the region’s evolving logistics sector. Co-founded by Ilya Klyuev, the company specialises in efficient trucking solutions, combining autonomous and human-driven technologies to improve fuel economy and deliver sustainable transportation.
Currently in its Series A stage, BaseTracK offers advanced solutions such as an efficient cruise control system for human-driven trucks, promising fuel savings of 10-30% and high-precision autonomous driving systems that navigate safely in varying weather conditions.
In this interview, Klyuev shared the company’s journey from its origins in Europe and Russia to its strategic pivot to the Middle East. He reflected on the challenges of fundraising, the lessons learned and how the region’s robust innovation ecosystem, led by programmes like the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, has enabled BaseTracK to refine its offerings and pursue long-term growth.
With a vision to help the Middle East become a leader in next-generation logistics, BaseTracK’s journey highlights the region’s appeal for startups aiming to scale their impact globally.
What drove you to join the startup world?
I joined the startup world totally by accident. In my first year of university, I had a small dream of owning a restaurant and travelling the world – my university major was catering engineering. I had experience working as a restaurant manager, so I started working as a waiter to gain more experience and earn some money.
When I was going to change my employer to the most luxurious hotel in the city to make a lot of money on wages and tips, I met Andrew, who was looking for a project manager in his geoinformatics company and had a couple of projects based on a scientist he knew.
Andrew is a good salesperson, which is why I was sold on the idea of starting some curious R&D-heavy projects from scratch, and that was the start of my risky obsession. One of the projects we eventually launched was BaseTracK.
In your view, what are the keys to approaching investors successfully?
Having connections to the right people gets even a bad startup funded. Generally, to get local investors interested, even with a cold email, you should have a software/SaaS B2B startup (ideally, copying an idea from a successful growing US-based startup), generating at least hundreds of thousands of USD ARR, and if you are popular in the media as well, it further boosts its chances of securing investment.
What was the most challenging part of raising funding and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part is to find an investor for a long-term strategy. That is the challenge we still can’t overcome, so we had to focus on “ready-to-sell” fuel economy solutions for human-driven trucks and put autonomous trucking technology on a shelf. However, the support provided by the UAE’s robust innovation ecosystem has been invaluable.
Participating in programmes like the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator has provided a supportive environment, enabling startups like ours to refine our strategies, access critical resources and connect with key stakeholders to scale effectively. Of course, some mega-projects and futuristic ideas are getting funded, but getting back to some of the previous points, you need to know the right people or be on the latest trends.
What has been your biggest success and your biggest failure?
Biggest success: With all the failures on the journey, I grew spiritually and became more mature in some areas of life.
Biggest failure: I didn’t diversify my personal life and income sources (startups can be incredibly demanding financially and emotionally).
Where would you like to be in five years’ time?
In the UAE or KSA, I have witnessed how Vision 2030 has materialised. These futuristic concepts and progressive ideas are exciting, and I’d be proud to contribute to the technological advancements shaping the region.
