During the Flat6Labs Cycle 3 Demo Day, Cirqy founders Kareem El-Shaffei and Mostafa Talaat discuss how their e-commerce site is creating a social marketplace for local designers in the Middle East, displaying art, apparel, accessories, home decor, and stationery.

“The social element means that Cirqy is as much about discovery of exciting designs, as it is a straightforward e-commerce store,” El-Shaffei explains. Users are encouraged to follow their friends and discover things together by sharing, recommending and of course buying items from independent artists and designers featured on the site.

“One difference about Cirqy is that it is focused on high-end designs, designs you won’t find elsewhere online,” Talaat adds. The team aims to become the top online destination for design in the Middle East, and its primary revenue stream is by retaining a percentage of sales revenue, which they share with designers.

Check out this interview to see how they designed the concept and plan to launch soon.