Widebot, an AI startup originally founded in Cairo and now headquartered in Riyadh, has secured $3 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The company is developing “AQL Mind,” a generative AI model tailored to Arabic dialects, aiming to revolutionise AI interactions for businesses and government entities in Saudi Arabia.
CEO and co-founder Mohammed Nabil highlighted the impact of this development. “AQL Mind will enable the company to deliver accurate, secure, and personalised AI experiences to Saudi government entities and businesses,” he stated.
The funding round was spearheaded by Keheilan Asset Management II, a Saudi-backed firm linked to investment powerhouse Wafra. Other notable participants included Enza Capital, DisrupTech Ventures, LoftyInc Capital, Den VC, and SparkLabs Ventures.
Strengthening Regional AI Infrastructure
Investors see Widebot’s technology as a crucial step towards greater regional autonomy in artificial intelligence. Dr Ahmed Abdelhamid, CEO of Keheilan Asset Management, emphasised the importance of supporting AI innovation. “The future of economic development in the region hinges on supporting deep technology companies,” he said. “The synergy between technical and financial efforts will reinforce national sovereignty over our technological infrastructure.”
As AI adoption accelerates across the Middle East, Widebot’s latest funding marks a significant step in bridging the gap between technology and Arabic linguistic diversity. The startup’s expansion in Saudi Arabia signals a larger movement toward AI-driven transformation in the region.
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