Latest news with #Arabic-first
CairoScene
23-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
UAE's Tarjama Raises $15M to Scale Its Arabic-Focused AI Platform
Backed by Global Ventures and Wamda, Tarjama will expand its Arabic AI systems and launch an AI academy targeting enterprise use. May 23, 2025 UAE-based language technology firm Tarjama has secured $15 million in a Series A funding round to grow its proprietary Arabic-first artificial intelligence platform. The round was led by Global Ventures with support from Wamda Capital, TA Ventures, Phaze Capital, Golden Gate Ventures, and Endeavor Catalyst. Founded in 2009, Tarjama develops tools for machine translation, transcription, and content generation in over 50 languages, including 22 Arabic dialects. With the new capital, the company will scale its engineering team, upgrade its infrastructure, and launch an AI Academy to support talent development in the region. At the core of Tarjama's push is Pronoia V2, a large language model designed to outperform existing global AI systems on Arabic-language tasks. Built for enterprise use, Pronoia V2 supports applications in legal, government, and media sectors, among others. Tarjama currently serves over 700 clients across more than 30 global markets. This investment comes amid growing efforts in the Middle East to develop Arabic-native AI infrastructure. While global language models often underperform in Arabic due to data scarcity and linguistic complexity, regional startups like Tarjama are looking to bridge this gap with purpose-built models. Countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have prioritised Arabic AI in their national tech strategies, with initiatives such as Falcon LLM and Noor LLM reflecting a broader push to ensure the language is meaningfully represented in the AI era.
CairoScene
16-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
UAE-Based Arabic-First AI Company AqlanX Lands $10 Million Funding
The deal includes an AI Centre of Excellence in Dubai under the UAE's NextGen FDI program, in partnership with UOWD. May 16, 2025 AqlanX, a UAE-based artificial intelligence company, has secured a $10 million investment from Lakeba Group through its enterprise automation venture, DoxAI. This funding aims to scale AqlanX's Arabic-first AI solutions across the Middle East, focusing on enterprise process automation, national capacity building, and talent development 'With Lakeba and DoxAI behind us, AqlanX is equipped to deliver Arabic-first AI that is not only world-class but also born in, and for, the UAE,' Demetrio Russo, Founder and CEO of AqlanX, tells StartupScene. 'We are building an innovation hub that reflects the ambitions of this region and empowers its enterprises to lead globally.' The partnership also includes the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Dubai, in collaboration with the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD). This initiative is part of the UAE's NextGen FDI programme, which supports fast-tracked market entry and scaling for global tech-driven firms. AqlanX's technology stack, grounded in DoxAI's enterprise automation intellectual property, enables rapid deployment across sectors such as finance, legal, and operations. The company's founder, Demetrio Russo, previously led KERNO Enterprises, a UAE-based technology hardware manufacturer.
Campaign ME
15-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
‘In Saudi Arabia, relevance isn't optional; it's the benchmark'
Saudi Arabia isn't just another Middle Eastern market; it's the driving force behind the region's transformation. Powered by Vision 2030, sweeping government investment, digital innovation, and a cultural awakening, the Kingdom is redefining how consumers engage with brands. Unlike other MENA markets, Saudi Arabia has a young, mobile-native population with increasing purchasing power and a strong appetite for global experiences that resonate locally, which necessitates a fresh, intentional approach. More than just a market Saudi Arabia stands apart in the MENA region with its young, hyper-connected population, rising disposable income, mobile-native, highly expressive, and driven by a deep sense of national pride and purpose which makes KSA market very culturally-specific, where generic regional strategies fall flat. At Zamakan, we don't view the Kingdom as part of a wider blueprint; we treat it as a world-class market with its own rhythm, values, and influence. Success here isn't about localization; it's about leading with cultural relevance. Beyond reach: building real resonance Today, brand success is no longer measured by reach alone; it's about resonance. Saudi consumers are digitally sophisticated and emotionally attuned. They expect brands to offer not just products, but relevance, meaning, and value. Marketers must embrace human-centric creativity and data-driven precision. It's about understanding the moments that matter; what people are thinking, feeling, and doing, and using that insight to deliver purposeful, personalized engagement. For us, data isn't just a tool; it's the canvas for connection. The rise of cultural storytelling Over the next two years, Saudi Arabia's marketing landscape will be transformed by the rise of culturally rooted content ecosystems. As Gen Z comes of age, they are demanding narratives that reflect their values, identity, and national voice. We will see more Arabic-first content, local creator partnerships, and campaigns built around purpose, sustainability, and belonging. Technology like AI and immersive experiences will enable scale; but storytelling will remain at the center. Brand vs. performance? It's not a choice The divide between brand and performance marketing is outdated. The most effective strategies align both. Performance drives action; but brand builds trust, memory, and long-term equity. At Zamakan, we build marketing ecosystems where every campaign delivers impact and meaning. Performance gets you noticed. Brand makes you unforgettable. In Saudi Arabia, relevance isn't optional; it's the benchmark. By Khaled Abou Sleiman, Chief Executive Officer – ZAMAKAN
Hi Dubai
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
AqlanX Secures $10 Million Investment from Lakeba to Drive Arabic-First AI in UAE
UAE-based AI startup AqlanX has secured a $10 million investment from Australia's Lakeba Group through its venture arm, DoxAI, marking a major step in the region's push toward AI-driven enterprise transformation. The funding, enabled by the UAE's NextGen FDI initiative, will support AqlanX's efforts to localise and scale DoxAI's enterprise automation technology across the Middle East. Founded to build Arabic-first, UAE-made AI solutions, AqlanX is focused on streamlining business processes, improving operational efficiency, and modernising enterprise document management. The deal aligns closely with the UAE's digital economy agenda, which positions the country as a regional hub for innovation and emerging technologies. AqlanX's growth also reflects the country's broader strategy to attract forward-looking investments and foster a thriving tech ecosystem. As part of the collaboration, AqlanX, DoxAI, and Lakeba have partnered with the University of Wollongong in Dubai to launch an AI Centre of Excellence. The centre will focus on research, innovation, and talent development to support the UAE's national capacity-building efforts in artificial intelligence. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, who praised the partnership as a strong example of the NextGen FDI initiative's ability to spark high-impact, cross-sector collaboration. With backing from Lakeba and access to DoxAI's intellectual property, AqlanX is poised to become a leader in enterprise AI tailored to the needs of the Arabic-speaking world, reinforcing the UAE's ambition to lead in next-generation technology sectors. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Gulf Today
11-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
AqlanX gets $10m from DoxAI for Arabic-first enterprise AI
AqlanX, a UAE-based artificial intelligence company, announced a $10 million investment from Lakeba Group through their venture DoxAI, marking a significant milestone in the region's digital transformation journey. The investment, facilitated through connections fostered by the UAE's NextGen FDI initiative, will accelerate AqlanX's mission to localise and expand the proven enterprise automation capabilities of DoxAI across the Middle East. Founded on the vision of building UAE-Made, Arabic-first AI technologies, AqlanX focuses on automating business processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and transforming enterprise document management for large organisations. The company's roadmap is tightly aligned with the UAE's innovation and digital economy strategy, positioning the nation as a hub for AI and innovation-driven ventures. As part of its national capacity-building strategy, AqlanX, DoxAI and Lakeba have also formed a strategic partnership with the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) to establish an AI Centre of Excellence. This initiative will cultivate homegrown AI talent, research, and innovation directly in the UAE. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, who commented, 'This collaboration between AqlanX, Lakeba, and DoxAI demonstrates the power of the NextGen FDI program to catalyse strategic, cross-sector partnerships. It underscores our commitment to fostering an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and collaboration in priority sectors like artificial intelligence.' Giuseppe Porcelli, Executive Chairman of Lakeba and DoxAI, said, 'This investment is more than capital-it's a commitment to a shared vision. AqlanX represents the next frontier of enterprise AI in the Middle East, and we are proud to bring our experience, technology, and strategic resources to support its growth.' Demetrio Russo, Founder and CEO of AqlanX, added, 'With Lakeba and DoxAI behind us, AqlanX is equipped to deliver Arabic-first AI that is not only world-class, but also born in, and for, the UAE. We are building an innovation hub that reflects the ambitions of this region and empowers its enterprises to lead globally.' With its foundation backed by the expertise and intellectual property of DoxAI, and strategic capital from Lakeba Ventures, AqlanX is positioned to become a regional leader in enterprise AI. The NextGen FDI initiative, launched in 2022, is a core component of the UAE's strategy to promote investment into future-focused sectors, solidify its position as a global hub for innovation, and accelerate the diversification of the national economy. AqlanX joins a cohort of more than 100 companies operating in sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and robotics. In February, The Ministry of Economy has announced that DoxAI, a provider of AI solutions designed to simplify business processes and reduce operational complexities, has joined its NextGen FDI initiative. The programme, which seeks to attract high-growth advanced technology companies to the UAE, will support DoxAI in establishing its regional headquarters in Dubai and scaling its operations to serve regional and global markets. DoxAI applies AI and machine learning to streamline document processing, automate data extraction, and enhance identity verification, delivering real-time, actionable insights for businesses. By reducing the need for human intervention and integrating seamlessly with existing business systems, DoxAI enables organisations to optimise their operations, reduce costs, and focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth. WAM
