Latest news with #Graphiant
Arab News
24-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
MENA tech startups close significant funding rounds
RIYADH: A series of significant funding rounds and strategic investments have bolstered the Middle East and North Africa tech and startup landscape recently, with a focus on expanding regional ecosystems and scaling innovative solutions. Among the notable developments, Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures co-led a $19 million series B extension investment in US-based Graphiant, alongside stc Group's Tali Ventures. This investment is part of a broader $102 million series B round that also includes Sequoia Capital, Two Bear Capital, and IAG Capital Partners. Founded in 2020 by Khalid Raza, Graphiant provides a Network-as-a-Service platform designed to deliver secure and high-performance enterprise connectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. As part of the funding agreement, Graphiant will establish its regional headquarters in Riyadh to support Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global technology hub. Anas Al-Gahtani, acting CEO of Wa'ed Ventures, said: 'By enabling enterprises to deploy secure, high-performance connectivity across multi-cloud and hybrid environments, Graphiant is solving foundational challenges for digital transformation.' VUZ secures $12m pre-series C to expand immersive media platform globally Saudi Arabia-based immersive media platform VUZ has raised $12 million in a pre-series C funding round, with the International Finance Corporation — part of the World Bank Group — joining as a strategic investor. The round also included participation from Al Jazira Capital, Crosswork VC Success Fund, existing investors, and several Saudi family offices, bringing VUZ's total funding to over $35 million. Founded in the UAE in 2017 by Khaled Zaatarah, VUZ offers immersive live content across extended reality, virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI-powered streaming. The new capital will support VUZ's global expansion across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Africa, Asia, and the US, while enhancing its AI-driven streaming technologies and live spatial experiences. The company previously closed a $20 million series B round in October 2022. Saudi spacetech SARsatX raises $2.6m seed funding to scale satellite development Saudi Arabian spacetech startup SARsatX has raised $2.6 million in a seed round led by TONOMUS, with participation from Wa'ed Ventures, Access Bridge Ventures, and KAUST Innovation Ventures. Founded in 2019 by Ahmed Al-Zubairi and Muhannad Al-Mutiry as a spin-off from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology's TAQADAM Accelerator, SARsatX designs and builds small satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar technology. The satellites provide Earth observation data used in applications such as deforestation monitoring, oil leakage detection, disaster management, and border security. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate technology development and scale satellite deployment. Saudi e-commerce app Ziadah closes seed round Ziadah, a Saudi Arabia-based e-commerce platform, has closed a seed funding round from an undisclosed angel investor. Founded in 2024 by Ali Al-Dahnin and Mahmoud Omar, Ziadah offers online stores behavior-driven marketing tools aimed at increasing sales. The company plans to use the investment to enhance customer engagement features and expand its services to more merchants across the region. Egypt's Thndr raises $15.7m to expand digital investment platform across MENA Thndr, a Cairo-based digital investment platform, announced a $15.7 million funding round led by Prosus, with participation from Y Combinator, BECO Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, and others. Founded in 2020 by Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr, Thndr enables users to invest in stocks, bonds, and funds through a mobile platform with low commissions. We're building a product, network, and monetization model that's hyper-local, with the infrastr- ucture to scale globally. Khaled Zaatarah, VUZ founder and CEO The new funds will support regional expansion focusing on the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Hammouda said: 'We believe the time is now to build the region's leading investment-first money app.' Sylndr secures $15.7m series A to accelerate Egypt used-car platform growth Cairo-based Sylndr, a used-car platform, has raised $15.7 million in a series A round led by DPI Venture Capital through the Nclude Fund. Other investors include Algebra Ventures, Nuwa Capital, and Raed Ventures. Sylndr facilitates vehicle buying, selling, and financing. Founded in 2021 by Omar El-Defrawy, the company will use the funds to expand across Egypt, improve pricing intelligence, inventory, fintech capabilities, and strengthen partnerships with dealers and lenders. El-Defrawy said: 'This round allows us to scale nationally and expand our product offering.' UAE's Tarjama secures $15m series A to scale Arabic AI ecosystem Tarjama, a UAE-based language technology company, has closed a $15 million series A funding round led by Global Ventures, with participation from Wamda Capital, TA Ventures, and Phaze Capital,as well as Golden Gate Ventures and Endeavor Catalyst. Founded in 2009 by Nour Al-Hassan, Tarjama serves over 700 clients globally with solutions across more than 50 languages and 22 Arabic dialects. The company recently launched Pronoia V2, an Arabic-first large language model that it claims outperforms GPT-4o and Cohere in Arabic tasks. Al-Hassan said: 'Arabic has been underserved by AI for too long. Our flagship product, Pronoia, changes that — it is far faster, more secure, and cost-effective.' Kuwait's Circle raises $6m series A for regional q-commerce expansion Circle, a Kuwait-based quick-commerce startup, has raised $6 million in series A funding from unnamed investors. Founded in 2020 by Altaf Al-Thekair, Circle offers delivery of groceries and daily essentials within 20 minutes through its app and network of dark stores and fulfillment centers. The company intends to use the funding to support regional expansion plans targeting key MENA markets by early 2026. CEO Al-Thekair stated: 'Securing this funding is a major milestone that propels us toward our vision of reshaping quick commerce in the MENA region.' EFG Finance approves acquisition of B2B platform Fatura by MaxAB-Wasoko EFG Finance, part of EFG Holding, has approved the acquisition of its B2B platform Fatura by MaxAB-Wasoko, a regional retail and supply chain super app. EFG becomes a major shareholder in MaxAB-Wasoko and gains a board seat. Fatura operates an asset-light marketplace with 626 wholesalers across 16 cities, expanding MaxAB's product and logistics capabilities. The acquisition is expected to contribute 25 percent of Egypt's revenue by year-end and accelerate MaxAB-Wasoko's pan-African expansion. Egyptian fintech ElGameya raises seven-figure round to expand savings app ElGameya, an Egyptian fintech, has raised a seven-figure US dollar investment round led by AYADY for Investment and Development, with participation from Jedar Capital, Cubit Ventures, and others. Founded in 2020 by Ahmed Abdeen, the company offers a mobile app enabling users to join customizable savings circles with secure transactions, The funding will be used to scale ElGameya's reach and develop new products targeting underserved communities. Abu Dhabi-based EQIQ doubles fund size to $30m EQIQ, a venture capital fund and venture builder focused on Iraq, is doubling its fund size from $15 million to $30 million to increase investments in the e-commerce, logistics, and fintech sectors. Founded by Mohamed Al-Hakim and Said Rahmani, EQIQ has deployed $8.5 million across five startups, including three co-built ventures. The fund is backed by local and regional investors and aims to create a technology ecosystem to serve millions in Iraq. Standard Chartered's SC Ventures partners with DIFC SC Ventures, the innovation and venture arm of Standard Chartered, has partnered with Dubai International Financial Centre Innovation Hub to launch the National Venture Studio in the city. The initiative utilizes SC Ventures' Venture Building-as-a-Service model to support startup development through ideation, prototyping, founder matching, and scaling. Participants will also have access to co-hosted events, research, and ecosystem-building programs within DIFC.
Arabian Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Saudi Venture Arms Back Graphiant to Bolster Digital Infrastructure
Saudi Telecom Company's Tali Ventures and Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures have jointly led a $19 million investment in Graphiant, a US-based network connectivity start-up, as part of a broader $102 million Series B funding round. The move underscores the Kingdom's strategic push to enhance its digital infrastructure and diversify its economy in line with Vision 2030. Graphiant, headquartered in California, specialises in providing a unified network solution that integrates AI, cloud, SaaS, B2B, and branch networking services. The company's technology is designed to serve public sector entities, telecommunications providers, and enterprises seeking secure and scalable connectivity. As part of its expansion strategy, Graphiant has announced the establishment of its regional headquarters in Riyadh. The company plans to collaborate with stc Group on initiatives related to localisation, skill development, and the deployment of new infrastructure projects. This partnership aims to foster the growth of local talent and support the Kingdom's ambitions to become a regional technology hub. Wa'ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of Aramco, has been actively investing in technology start-ups that align with Saudi Arabia's digital transformation goals. With a $500 million fund, Wa'ed Ventures focuses on supporting companies that can contribute to the Kingdom's technological advancement. The investment in Graphiant is part of this broader strategy to bring innovative solutions to the Saudi market. Similarly, Tali Ventures, the investment arm of stc Group, has been instrumental in backing ventures that enhance the digital economy. By investing in Graphiant, Tali Ventures aims to leverage the company's technology to improve network connectivity and support the development of advanced digital services in the region. See also ADNOC Expands Global LNG Reach with Dual Chinese Agreements The collaboration between these venture arms and Graphiant reflects a concerted effort to integrate cutting-edge technologies into Saudi Arabia's infrastructure. By fostering partnerships with global innovators, the Kingdom seeks to accelerate its transition towards a knowledge-based economy and solidify its position as a leader in the digital domain.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
STC, Aramco units co-lead $19mln investment in US firm Graphiant
Saudi Telecom Co.'s Tali Ventures and Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures are investing in Graphiant, a US-based tech start-up, underscoring Saudi Arabia's efforts to scale up digital infrastructure. The two investment arms have co-led a $19 million investment for the network connectivity company as part of a Series B fundraising, bringing the round's total to $102 million. The US firm also said it is opening its regional headquarters in Riyadh, adding that it will work with stc Group on localisation, skills development and new infrastructure initiatives. Graphiant seeks to provide a single, unified network solution for AI, cloud, SaaS, B2B and branch networking for entities in the public sector, telecom and enterprise space. (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)
Bloomberg
19-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Aramco, Saudi Telecom Join Sequoia in Backing US-Based Startup Graphiant
The venture capital arms of Saudi Arabia's oil and telecom giants have invested in US tech startup Graphiant Inc. as the kingdom seeks to drive innovation and develop its digital economy. Saudi Aramco 's Wa'ed Ventures and Saudi Telecom Co. 's Tali Ventures put up a combined $19 million in the network connectivity firm, expanding on investments already secured in a $102 million funding round by others including Sequoia Capital, according to a statement.
Wamda
19-05-2025
- Business
- Wamda
Wa'ed Ventures co-leads $19 million Investment in Graphiant
Aramco's Wa'ed Ventures has co-led a $19 million Series B extension in US-based Graphiant, alongside stc Group's Tali Ventures, as part of a broader $102 million Series B round. Other participants in the round include Sequoia Capital, Two Bear Capital, and IAG Capital Partners. Graphiant, founded in 2020 by Khalid Raza, delivers a next-generation Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform that enables secure, high-performance enterprise connectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. As part of the agreement, Graphiant will establish its regional headquarters in Riyadh, supporting Saudi Arabia's vision to become a global hub for emerging technologies. Press release: Graphiant, a leading US-based Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) provider, announces closing its $19 million extension round co-led by Wa'ed Ventures, the $500 million VC fund wholly owned by Aramco, and Tali Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of stc Group. This strategic investment is an extension of Graphiant's $102 million Series B round, which included participation from Sequoia Capital, Two Bear Capital, and IAG Capital Partners. Graphiant is redefining connectivity by delivering a next-generation, cloud-native platform that transforms data networks for AI to meet security challenges while providing improved reliability. With over 13 patents, the company has already deployed its platform with global enterprises including Sony Pictures and Valmont. As part of the investment agreement, Graphiant will establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh, further strengthening the Kingdom's position as a hub for emerging technology. The move aligns with Wa'ed's strategy for localising global technology pioneers and reflects the fund's commitment to supporting advanced digital infrastructure and AI technologies with a strong potential for localisation and scalability in the Kingdom. "By enabling enterprises to deploy secure, high-performance connectivity across multi-cloud and hybrid environments, Graphiant is solving foundational challenges for digital transformation. We are excited to back their expansion into the Kingdom as a strategic partner and look forward to supporting Khalid on his journey to bring world-class digital infrastructure closer to Saudi businesses," said Anas Algahtani, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Wa'ed Ventures. Founded by Khalid Raza, a recognised pioneer in network innovation, Graphiant delivers a cutting-edge approach to building resilient, secure, scalable, and high-performance enterprise networks. Prior to Graphiant, Raza founded Viptela, the first software-defined WAN networking, which was acquired by CISCO in 2017. 'Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a global epicentre for innovation,' said Khalid Raza, CEO of Graphiant. 'The strategic partnership with Tali Ventures, Wa'ed Ventures, and the broader support of stc Group marks a defining chapter in our journey. Together, we are committed to building the foundation of next-generation digital economies — starting here in the Kingdom.' 'At stc Group, we are committed to driving digital transformation across the region by investing in global innovation and emerging technologies,' said Motaz Alangari, Group Chief Investment Officer, stc. 'Graphiant's groundbreaking approach to enterprise connectivity aligns with our strategic goals to localise advanced digital capabilities, foster technology transfer, and create scalable solutions for the Kingdom's public and private sectors. We are excited to welcome Graphiant to Saudi Arabia and support their journey to redefine how modern networks are built.' The Network-as-a-Service market is expected to reach $92 billion globally by 2030, fueled by surging demand for flexible, AI-ready connectivity solutions Graphiant's platform positions it at the forefront of this transformation.
