26th June, 2025
Founder & CEO, Kilow
In the heart of Saudi Arabia, where lifestyle diseases are on the rise and one-size-fits-all diets are failing, Kilow is leading a smarter way forward. Founded by digital health entrepreneur Fahed Al Essa, Kilow is the region’s first Arabic-first, doctor-led weight management platform, blending clinically guided GLP-1 therapies with personalized coaching, lifestyle tracking, and critically a curated ecosystem of functional foods and supplements that actually work.
Fahed Al Essa is a seasoned digital health expert, serial entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for reimagining healthcare through innovation and human-centered design. With academic roots in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Public Health, and Business, Fahed’s work sits at the intersection of science, strategy, and systems transformation.
In this exclusive interview, we explore what Kilow looks for in its nutrition partners and what it takes to be part of one of the most ambitious health platforms in the Middle East.
What makes Kilow’s approach to weight loss unique in the Saudi market, and why was it important to build an Arabic-first platform?
Kilow is the first science-backed, doctor-led weight loss platform in Saudi Arabia that offers a truly comprehensive approach – from GLP-1 medications and lab tests to coaching, habit change, and daily tracking, all in one place. In a market where obesity is rising rapidly and many people are trying to lose weight on their own or through unsafe methods, we knew we had to build something deeply local. That meant an Arabic-first experience: not just in language, but in culture, food, and lifestyle. Our app and coaches speak the same language – literally and figuratively – and we’ve integrated everything from lab testing to wearables, smart scales, and heart rate monitors to give people the tools they need to succeed.
How do you evaluate nutritional or wellness products for alignment with Kilow’s doctor-led, lifestyle-focused methodology?
We look for products that complement our medical protocols and support behavior change. Whether it’s a supplement, a snack, or a sleep aid, it has to be backed by science, safe for long-term use, and easy to integrate into daily life. Our doctors, nutritionists, and coaches review every product through three lenses: efficacy, safety, and fit with the Saudi lifestyle. We’re especially careful around products that make exaggerated claims or encourage shortcuts – our philosophy is built around sustainable progress, not quick fixes.
Are there specific natural or functional food categories you’re looking to integrate into your weight management ecosystem?
Absolutely. We’re exploring functional foods that support satiety, gut health, blood sugar balance, and stress regulation – all of which play a role in metabolic health. High-protein ready meals, fiber-rich snacks, adaptogenic beverages, and natural appetite-regulating ingredients are of great interest. But they need to taste good, travel well in heat, and align with local dietary preferences – that’s often the missing piece in imported products.
What kind of supplier partnerships would help Kilow better support its members – from supplements and meal replacements to healthy snacks?
We’re looking for partners who understand both science and culture. Ideal suppliers offer clinically validated products, transparent sourcing, and scalable logistics within the GCC. Local or regional production is a plus. Whether it’s GLP-friendly meal kits, protein-rich traditional foods, or mindful snack boxes, we’re building a curated ecosystem that simplifies healthy choices for our members – and we’d love to feature standout partners directly in our app and care plans.
At a trade show like the Organic & Natural Products Expo, what types of brands or innovations are you excited to discover for your platform?
We’re excited by brands that blend innovation with accessibility – especially those reimagining traditional foods in healthier formats or designing for the modern Arab consumer. Beyond food and supplements, we’re also interested in smart wellness tech – connected scales, wearables, heart monitors – that can plug into our ecosystem and give members real-time feedback. Anything that makes weight loss more trackable, personalized, and habit-driven is a win in our book.
Kilow is actively seeking functional food and supplement brands that can deliver real results, not just labels. Whether it’s gut-health-friendly ingredients, GLP-complementary snacks, natural appetite regulators, or evidence-based wellness products, they’re looking for partners who can support their members with safe, scalable, and culturally relevant solutions.
If your brand blends science, quality, and purpose, and you’re ready to help transform health outcomes in the GCC, don’t miss the opportunity to connect at this year’s Organic & Natural Products Expo. This is where long-term partnerships with platforms like Kilow begin.