AqlanX secures $10m to scale Arabic-first enterprise AI
Lakeba’s DoxAI backs UAE firm’s enterprise automation push
#UAE #funding – AqlanX, a new UAE-based artificial intelligence company, has secured a $10 million investment from Australia’s Lakeba Group through its enterprise automation venture DoxAI. The funding, catalysed by the UAE’s NextGen FDI initiative, will expand DoxAI’s proven automation technologies across the Middle East. AqlanX, which develops Arabic-first, UAE-made AI solutions, is targeting growth in enterprise process automation, national capacity building, and talent development. The deal also includes the launch of a new AI Centre of Excellence in Dubai in partnership with the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD).
SO WHAT? – DoxAI announced that it had joined the UAE Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI programme in February. The Sydney-based AI business automation company, helps foreign technology companies establish themselves in the UAE. The investment in AqlanX is the first new venture that has been announced, since the opening of DoxAI’s new Dubai office.
A new UAE-based company AqlanX has received a $10 million investment from Lakeba Group, via its automation-focused venture DoxAI, to develop and expand Arabic-first enterprise AI solutions across the Middle East.
The deal was made possible through the UAE Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI programme, which supports fast-tracked market entry and scaling for global tech-driven firms.
AqlanX focuses on automating business processes and managing enterprise documents with AI technologies built in and for the UAE. The company was founded by Demetrio Russo, founder and former CEO of UAE technology hardware manufacturer KERNO Enterprises.
The company’s technology stack is grounded in DoxAI’s enterprise automation IP, enabling rapid deployment and scaling across sectors such as finance, legal, and operations.
As part of the deal, AqlanX, DoxAI, and Lakeba will launch an AI Centre of Excellence with the University of Wollongong in Dubai, to support homegrown AI talent and innovation.
Lakeba is a Sydney-headquartered venture builder with 15 businesses in its portfolio, including three exits and multiple high-growth ventures.
Founded in 2013, Lakeba earned Microsoft Gold Partner status in 2018 and was ranked by the Financial Times as a High Growth Company in 2020 and 2021.
ZOOM OUT – Launched in 2022 by the UAE Ministry of Economy,, the NextGen FDI initiative is a key pillar of the country’s digital economy strategy, aimed at attracting high-growth companies and technologies that accelerate economic diversification. The initiative streamlines the market entry process by accelerating company incorporation, licensing, visa issuance, banking, and leasing. Over 100 global companies have joined the NextGen FDI initiative so far, spanning AI, robotics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
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DoxAI joins UAE’s NextGen FDI to expand into Middle East (Middle East AI News)
Qualcomm joins UAE’s NextGen FDI (Middle East AI News)