UAE’s Disrupt.com Bets Big on AI with $100M Fund to Fuel Next-Gen Startups

Editorial Team

Last updated 27-02-2025

3 min

$100M fund launched to back AI-first startups globally.

Founded by the Gadit brothers, who sold Cloudways for $350M in 2022.

Unlike traditional VCs, Disrupt com takes a hands-on approach, building startups from the ground up.

Focus areas include AI, cybersecurity, Web3,0, automotive tech, and retail innovation.

Comes amid a 29% decline in MENA’s VC funding, making capital harder to access.

At a time when global venture capital (VC) investment is cooling, UAE-based Disrupt.com is doubling down on AI. The venture builder, led by Aaqib, Uzair, and Umair Gadit, has unveiled a $100 million commitment to back startups that harness the power of artificial intelligence.

This isn’t their first major move. The Gadit brothers, who grew up in the same household and built their first company together, previously founded Cloudways, a cloud hosting platform that scaled rapidly before being acquired by DigitalOcean Holdings in 2022 for $350 million—the largest tech exit in Pakistan’s history. Now, they’re reinvesting their success into the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

says Aaqib Gadit, co-founder of Disrupt.com:

“We’re at a turning point, AI and Web3.0 are reshaping industries, and our region has the talent and potential to lead—not just keep up. This is the moment to invest, build, and scale globally.”

A New Breed of Venture Building

Unlike traditional venture capital firms that simply write checks and hope for returns, Disrupt.com takes a radically different approach. Through its “CoBuild” model, the firm acts as a fractional co-founder, providing:

Engineering expertise to develop cutting-edge AI solutions.

Go-to-market strategies tailored for global scalability.

Operational support to ensure sustainable, long-term growth.

Instead of merely backing promising startups, Disrupt.com helps build them from the ground up, working directly with founders to refine ideas, execute strategies, and bring innovative products to market.

Betting on AI & Tech Innovation

The firm’s $100M fund is strategically focused on five high-growth sectors:

Artificial Intelligence – The foundation for automation and decision-making in industries like healthcare, finance, and logistics.

Cybersecurity – Protecting businesses from the increasing threats posed by AI-powered cyberattacks.

Web3.0 – Driving the next evolution of decentralized internet applications.

Automotive Tech – Pioneering AI-driven advancements in smart mobility.

Retail Innovation – Transforming e-commerce and physical shopping experiences.

This commitment comes at a critical moment for startups in the region. According to Magnitt, MENA’s VC funding dropped 29% in 2024, reaching $1.9 billion—a stark contrast to previous years of rapid growth. Saudi Arabia’s startup funding fell by 44%, while the UAE saw an 8% decline, making early-stage funding increasingly difficult to secure.

Disrupt.com’s Proven Track Record

Disrupt.com has already deployed over $40 million across a diverse portfolio of high-growth startups. Their success stories include:

ZigChain, a Web3.0 platform managing hundreds of millions in assets.

PureSquare, a cybersecurity company tackling next-gen digital threats.

Squatwolf, a UAE-based fitness apparel brand that has scaled internationally.

AI-driven startups such as Agentnoon (organizational transformation) and Ahya (climate-focused innovation).

For entrepreneurs, the difference between Disrupt.com and a typical VC firm is clear.

Says Bartolome Bordallo, CEO of ZigChain:

“Some investors just write checks. Disrupt.com builds with you,” They helped us go from a few early adopters to managing millions in assets and launching our own blockchain.”

Squatwolf co-founders, Anam Khalid and Wajdan Gul, echo this sentiment:

“With Disrupt, you don’t just get funding—you get a team that understands what it takes to scale. They’re founders themselves, so they know the challenges firsthand.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in MENA

As the AI revolution accelerates, Disrupt.com aims to channel its $100M fund toward startups that have a strong product-market fit, clear monetization strategies, and a well-defined path to profitability.