du, the UAE's leading telecommunications provider, and Shorooq, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage tech startups, announced a strategic partnership to establish a $50 million fund for AI startups across MENA. The fund will focus on Series A and seed-stage companies building AI solutions for regional challenges.
The partnership represents a shift in MENA venture capital toward specialized AI funding. Rather than generic tech funds, regional investors now back dedicated AI-focused vehicles, signaling maturity of the regional startup ecosystem and confidence in local talent.
Investment areas include AI for enterprise efficiency, AI-driven customer service, and localized AI models for Arabic-language applications. The fund is expected to make 15–20 investments over its investment period.
