Boosting AI Innovation in the MENA Region
Saudi-based WideBot.ai has raised $3 million in a pre-Series A funding round to accelerate the development of AQL Mind, an advanced Arabic large language model (LLM). The investment fund comprised of Wafra-backed Keheilan Asset Management II, Enza Capital, DisrupTech Ventures, LoftyInc Capital, Den VC, and SparkLabs Ventures.
Salah Khashoggi, Chairman of Al Wafra Al Thania Firm, emphasized that this funding aligns with the company’s mission to support deep tech startups in Saudi Arabia. He stated that Keheilan Deep Tech Fund plays a crucial role in financing AI and fintech firms that contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
AQL Mind – Advancing Arabic AI Models
WideBot is developing AQL Mind, a next-generation Arabic LLM will entirely use Saudi cloud servers. Unlike global AI models, which often struggle with Arabic dialects and cultural nuances, AQL Mind is designed to:
- Understand various Arabic dialects and accents
- Ensure data security with local hosting
- Comply with Saudi AI regulations
- Support businesses and government agencies with high-speed AI solutions
“AQL Mind will enable the company to deliver accurate, secure, and personalized AI experiences to Saudi government entities and businesses.”
— Mohammed Nabil, CEO & Co-Founder, WideBot
WideBot’s Regional Impact
Founded in Cairo, WideBot AI has grown into a leading provider of Arabic AI solutions. It is serving over 350 clients across 12 countries, including major organizations such as the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Egyptian Tax Portal. The company has played a key role in digitizing Arabic-language AI. Additionally, it ensures that businesses and governments in the region have access to cutting-edge natural language processing (NLP) tools.
With the Arabic-speaking world comprising over 400 million people, demand for AI-powered chatbots, automated customer service, and AI-driven business tools is at an all-time high. Many Arabic dialects remain underrepresented in mainstream AI models. Therefore, making solutions like AQL Mind is crucial for enhancing communication, automating services, and driving digital transformation.
By prioritizing linguistic accuracy, cultural understanding, and AI-powered efficiency, WideBot is positioning itself as the leading Arabic AI firm. Its solutions extend beyond chatbots to include AI-driven analytics. Not just that, it also features customer insights, and enterprise AI applications. This makes it an essential player in the region’s digital economy.
The Future of AI in MENA
With its latest funding round, WideBot plans to scale operations, enhance AQL Mind’s capabilities, and expand its AI-powered product suite. The startup is focused on developing enterprise solutions that will transform government services, financial institutions, and customer support systems across the MENA region.
“We firmly believe that the future of economic development in the region hinges on supporting deep technology companies.”
— Dr. Ahmed Abdelhamid, CEO of Keheilan Asset Management
As AI adoption accelerates in Saudi Arabia and beyond, WideBot’s Arabic-first AI innovations are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s technological future.
