Yahya Aqel stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation as the CEO and co-founder of Aumet, the largest B2B healthcare marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. His journey from a young leader in Jordan to a globally recognized entrepreneur showcases a remarkable blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare systems. Through Aumet, Yahya has revolutionized how pharmacies and suppliers connect, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency across the healthcare supply chain.
Yahya Aqel was born and raised in Jordan, where his leadership skills emerged early. As a child, he captained his school’s football team to a championship victory, demonstrating his ability to unite and motivate a group toward a common goal. This experience planted the seeds for his future as an entrepreneur, emphasizing the value of teamwork and determination.
Recognizing the need for business expertise to complement his technical skills, he enrolled at IE Business School, earning a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). This academic journey equipped him with the tools to navigate the complexities of the startup world and drive innovation in healthcare.
Career Beginnings
Yahya Aqel’s entrepreneurial journey began well before Aumet. He founded Al-Sumow International, a Kuwait-based company focused on distributing medical products. After three years of growth, the company was acquired by Med Vision, marking Yahya’s first successful exit. He later established Healthy Brain, another medical startup, which he led until 2015. These ventures provided Yahya with deep insights into the healthcare industry, particularly the challenges of connecting manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers.
Each experience honed his ability to identify inefficiencies and develop solutions, setting the stage for his most ambitious project yet: Aumet.
Founding Aumet
In 2016, Yahya Aqel co-founded Aumet with Shahed Altawafsheh, driven by a shared vision to address the fragmented communication within the healthcare industry. They recognized that pharmacies often struggled to connect with suppliers, leading to delays and inefficiencies. Aumet was launched to bridge this gap, offering a digital platform that enables pharmacies to order supplies seamlessly and manage inventory effectively.
Starting in Jordan, Aumet quickly expanded to the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other MENA countries. The platform’s success lies in its ability to simplify complex processes, making it easier for healthcare providers to focus on patient care. Yahya’s strategic foresight and hands-on leadership have been instrumental in this growth, positioning Aumet as a leader in healthcare technology.
Leadership at Aumet
As CEO, Yahya has guided Aumet to become the MENA region’s largest B2B healthcare marketplace. His leadership has spurred the development of innovative products, including the Aumet Marketplace app, which allows pharmacies to connect with suppliers in real-time, and Aumet Pay, a payment gateway designed for healthcare transactions. These tools have transformed how pharmacies operate, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Yahya Aqel’s commitment to technology is evident in Aumet’s adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). By integrating AI into its platform, Aumet enhances decision-making, automates inventory tracking, and provides real-time alerts for low stock levels. This forward-thinking approach has set Aumet apart in a competitive industry, earning it recognition as a pioneer in digital healthcare solutions.
A notable milestone under Yahya’s leadership was Aumet’s acquisition of Uniorders in 2020, a B2B ordering management platform. This strategic move expanded Aumet’s reach to 2,800 pharmacies in Jordan and strengthened its distributor network, further solidifying its market position.
Achievements and Recognitions
Yahya’s impact extends beyond Aumet’s operational success. The company has raised $7 million in pre-Series A funding, reflecting strong investor confidence in its mission and growth potential. This funding has fueled Aumet’s expansion and product development, enabling it to serve over 22,000 distributors and 3,500 manufacturers.
Yahya Aqel himself has been celebrated for his innovative approach. His work in digitizing medication ordering systems and embracing AI has been highlighted in publications like Forbes MENA and Mirror Review. In a 2021 Forbes MENA feature, Yahya discussed Aumet’s role in transforming the B2B healthcare marketplace, emphasizing its performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, his insights on AI’s transformative potential were shared in a LinkedIn post, where he expressed ambitions to safeguard billions of lives through Aumet’s solutions.
Aumet’s contributions have also been recognized at industry events. In 2023, Yahya spoke at Al-Ahliyya Amman University’s Scientific Day, where he showcased Aumet’s ERP system and its role in simplifying pharmacy operations.
Vision for the Future
Yahya Aqel’s vision for Aumet is bold and far-reaching. He aims to expand the company’s footprint beyond the MENA region, targeting markets in Europe and the United States. This global ambition is driven by a belief that Aumet’s solutions can address universal challenges in healthcare supply chains. By continuing to integrate AI and other advanced technologies, Yahya hopes to make Aumet a global leader in healthcare innovation.
In the near term, Yahya is focused on scaling Aumet’s operations across all MENA countries and enhancing its product offerings. The company’s goal to reach 5,000 active pharmacies and achieve $100 million in gross merchandise value by 2022 underscores its aggressive growth strategy. While specific updates for 2025 are limited, Aumet’s recent activities, such as its focus on pharmacy management solutions and participation in events like National Aligner Health Month, suggest continued momentum.
A Lasting Legacy
Yahya Aqel’s journey is a testament to the power of combining technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision. Through Aumet, he has addressed critical inefficiencies in the healthcare industry and set a new standard for how technology can enhance patient outcomes. His leadership has inspired a team of passionate individuals dedicated to rethinking healthcare, and his global aspirations promise to make Aumet a household name in the industry.
As Yahya continues to lead Aumet into new markets and technological frontiers, his story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and impact, Yahya Aqel is shaping a future where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered.
