Cairo-based artificial intelligence startup Nanovate has secured USD 1 million in pre-seed funding to scale its Arabic AI technologies across the Middle East and North Africa. The round was led by a group of angel investors and marks an important step for the company as it works to make Arabic the foundation of next-generation AI innovation.
Founded just nine months ago by Nancy Madbouly and Ahmed Gamal, Nanovate develops end-to-end Arabic AI solutions for businesses. Its products include AI chat and voice agents, automation tools, and customizable AI systems designed for enterprises across various sectors. The company is supported by MINT Incubator by EG Bank and Raya FutureTECH Accelerator.
Bringing Arabic AI to the Forefront
Nanovate’s mission is to empower regional businesses with AI tools that understand the complexity and diversity of the Arabic language. Its technology supports over 22 dialects, offering natural interactions in voice and text.
The company’s current product lineup includes:
- AI chat and voice agents that handle real-time customer interactions in native Arabic.
- Automation systems to streamline workflows across industries.
- A no-code Beta dashboard that lets businesses build custom AI chat agents without programming expertise.
- Custom-built AI solutions tailored for enterprise clients in retail, banking, telecom, and government sectors.
Nanovate’s core innovation lies in its proprietary large language models (LLMs), which combine Arabic-native understanding, emotion detection, and speech recognition.
Expansion and Future Plans
With the new funding, Nanovate plans to accelerate its regional growth and strengthen its AI infrastructure. The company’s next priorities include:
- Expanding operations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
- Deepening integrations with CRM, ERP, and enterprise software systems.
- Increasing AI research and development to enhance Arabic natural language understanding.
- Hiring more engineers, linguists, and business experts to scale operations.
Nanovate also aims to serve more sectors, from customer service to education and healthcare, by offering localized AI that aligns with regional linguistic and cultural nuances.
Building an Arabic-Centric AI Ecosystem
According to Co-founder and CEO Ahmed Gamal, the startup’s mission is to reshape how AI understands and interacts with Arabic speakers.
“This is not just another AI startup,” Gamal said. “It’s a movement to put Arabic at the center of global innovation. We’re building technology that understands us, speaks like us, and serves our region.”
Nanovate’s approach goes beyond translation. By focusing on Arabic-first AI models, it aims to make technology more inclusive and context-aware for millions of users across the MENA region.