$100 million AI fund launched by Presight and Shorooq to drive global innovation.

Abu Dhabi is stepping further into the global AI race with a hefty announcement: Presight, known for its work in artificial intelligence and data analytics, has teamed up with Shorooq Partners to roll out a $100 million fund aimed squarely at nurturing AI innovation worldwide. The new vehicle, called Presight–Shorooq Fund I, is being positioned not just as a pot of money but as a bridge connecting global founders to the UAE’s growing tech ecosystem.

Officials were keen to frame the move as part of the Emirates’ wider ambition to cement itself as a leader in applied AI. Mansoor Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman at Presight, was quoted highlighting how Abu Dhabi is “at the forefront of global AI innovation,” pointing out that the fund will attract startups looking not just for capital but also for real deployment opportunities across the UAE. And truth be told, he’s got a point — raising money is one thing, but finding customers and partners who can adopt your tech at speed is another matter entirely.

What makes this fund a bit different from your standard VC pool is the promise of hands-on support and access to deep infrastructure. Portfolio firms won’t just get a cheque — they can tap into Presight’s cloud resources, secure data environments and international networks, alongside Shorooq’s reach across MENA and Asia. In the world of AI, where computing costs can really eat into a startup’s runway, that’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s spot on.

Thomas Pramotedham, Presight’s CEO, underscored exactly that, stressing that the value proposition here is more than capital. Shorooq’s founding partner, Mahmoud Adi, went further, casting the collaboration as a chance to demonstrate how the Middle East can fuel global breakthroughs. In other words, it’s not just about chasing unicorns but about showcasing the region as a serious player in shaping how AI gets built and applied.

The fund will spread its bets widely — from fintech platforms and energy ventures to smart city solutions, AR/VR and deep tech. That said, there’s a clear strategy to go after scalable ideas that can solve practical challenges, not just theoretical puzzles. As someone who has followed startups across emerging markets for years, I reckon this balance between ambition and applied use cases could make or break the fund’s success. Too often, AI ventures burn bright for a moment before hitting the wall of real-world implementation.

One thing that struck me personally when reading about this partnership is how much it reminded me of conversations with founders at Arageek events. Many spoke of the difficulty not in building tech, but in finding testbeds and distribution channels. If Presight and Shorooq actually deliver on plugging startups into customers — across government bodies, corporates, and even international markets — that’s worth its weight in gold. Most founders will tell you that getting your first real client is a bit of a faff; this fund could smooth that path considerably.

On the flip side, pouring $100 million into a field as fast-moving and hype-driven as AI carries risk. We’ve all seen capital chase ideas that sounded brilliant on paper but fizzled in execution. Still, with Presight’s government-backed clout and Shorooq’s track record in spotting regional winners, this fund does come with strong foundations.

For startups across MENA and beyond, the message is loud and clear: if you’re working on AI with the potential to scale, Abu Dhabi wants to hear from you. And believe it or not, that invitation extends from Silicon Valley to Singapore. I’m honestly chuffed to bits to see such initiatives take shape in the region — though, let’s be candid, it will only matter if founders actually get more than just photo-ops and polite applause.

Either way, the launch of *Presight–Shorooq Fund I* adds another marker in the map of how the UAE is positioning itself: less a passive investor, more an active player in where the next generation of AI companies are born and bred. For entrepreneurs, it could be a game changer. For the region, it’s another step in proving it can stand shoulder to shoulder with established innovation hubs. And for the rest of us watching the space, well… it’s a story still unfolding, and it will definately be one to keep an eye on.

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