The Omdena “Impact Tech Startups Series” is comprised of game-changing startups, stories, and thought-leadership pieces from leading impact ventures solving real-world problems.

Introduction

Businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to automate their operations and drive growth and impact. To showcase some of the most innovative AI startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, we’ve put together this list of the top MENA AI startups you need to know about right now. These startups focus on everything from smart chatbots to cleantech, to healthcare, as well as robotics and process automation. 

The impact of Artificial Intelligence in the MENA region

A recent report by Google explores the extent to which countries in the MENA region are putting in place the right policies.

The overall potential effect of AI on the region’s economic growth is significant, with the MENA region estimated to accrue $320 billion by 2030 from the technology, mainly through costs saved through automation and improving products and services across industries, a report said.

There are many AI startups in MENA that are making waves and getting attention in the startup world. There are those that help customers find products by asking them what they want rather than through keywords or categories, which helps provide a more personalized shopping experience. As well as the development of Rosette for elderly people who live alone and need help around the house with tasks like preparing meals or doing laundry. And that’s just to mention a few. 

Top Rising AI Startups in MENA You Should Know

Here is a list of 19 top rising AI startups in the MENA region you should definitely know about…

1. Intelmatix

Intelmatix is a deep-tech AI company with capabilities that address sector challenges by providing tailored solutions and unique products.

Industry: Real Estate and Logistics

Founded: 2021

Founders: Ahmad Alabdulkareem, Almaha Almalki, Anas Alfaris

Applications or Projects: 

• RetailX

RetailX helps to manage inventory across the logistical pipeline or where to place distribution centres.

• RealEstateX

RealEstateX is designed to solve a specific set of pain points. The user inputs all the needed parameters (e.g., amount of money to invest, time horizon, and acceptable risk to ROI), and then the intelligent solver, using AI and advanced analytics, generates best-estimate answers.

• LogisticsX

Intelmatix logisticX suite of analytics tools, optimization solvers, and interactive interfaces make it easy for any company to reduce the cost of logistics at every step, from initial planning to last-mile delivery.

2. Digital Energy

Digital Energy specializes in tracking and optimizing emissions, water, waste, and critical resources through AI for the energy industry.

Industry: Energy

Founded: 2016

Founder: Morgan Eldred

Applications or Projects: 

• TRACK, TRACE & OPTIMISE

Digital Energy 3 Step Process to Optimise your Supply Chain. TRACK captures your data, efficiently, reliably and comprehensively to ensure you have the best tools to reduce emissions, save costs and improve safety. ​TRACE gives you the ability to manipulate your data, perform benchmark analysis and start to measure performance. OPTIMISE brings you our AI technology to optimize industrial supply chains, operational carbon, improve safety, and save significant costs.​​

• ODIN

Oneshore Digital Integrated Network. Industrial application platform, with app library and tailored customer-centric IP applications. Collaborate across people, teams, organizations, and supply chains. Easy mapping and integration with industrial data models. 

3. Gleac

GLEAC is an education technology company.

Industry: Education

Founded: 2018

Founder: Sallyann Della Casa

Applications or Projects: 

• APIs for Job boards and Learning platforms
• Accredited ACE courses on Data digital, Diversity, and Inclusion as well as Medical soft skills. 
• Industry Talk Shows
• Human soft skills mentorship using Gleac catalogue 

4. DevisionX

“DevisionX” is coming from using “Deep” learning in “X” of machine “Vision” solutions in “X” fields of industries. DevisionX solution is putting the power of AI in the hands of manufacturing experts to build their own solutions for their daily challenges, so the businesses can grow and accelerate Digital transformation for both Machines & People and achieve sustainability.

Industry: Manufacturing

Founded: 2016

Founders: Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, Samar Hamdy

Applications or Projects: 

• Tuba No Code Platform

Tuba is a NO-Code platform that automates the machine learning process to make it easy for Non Developer users to build AI-Vision based applications/solutions in a seamless process without coding without AI experience needed!

5. Avey

Avey is a mobile application that enables users to self-diagnose, connect with doctors, and order medicines online.

Industry: Pharmaceutical 

Founded: 2017

Founder: Dr. Mohammad Hammoud

Applications or Projects: 

• Avey App

Avey empowers health with an intelligent self-diagnostic system and a tailored health journey. 

6. Sarwa

Sarwa is an online platform that makes investing in global markets simple and affordable for investors in the Middle East.

Industry: Finance

Founded: 2017

Founders: Jad Sayegh, Mark Chahwan, Nadine Mezher

Applications or Projects: 

• Sarwa platform 

Sarwa is a financial platform and app that lets you easily trade stocks and ETFs, buy and sell cryptocurrencies, and invest your money passively all in one place.

7. Infoarc

Infoarc is an IT firm that renders full service in the fields of software, web, and mobile application development.

Industry: Data & AI (That is on a mission to mine & refine ever growing data into actionable insights)

Founded: 2021

Founder: Aamir Dogar

Applications or Projects: 

• rConnect:

Single source of all business facts from across the value chain. (From 100+ to 1 source via AI)

• rPulse:

Sell more with real-time visibility of shelf fundamentals, delivered via Image Recognition. (From manual data to AI-generated KPIs)

• eDemand:

AI-Driven Demand Planning: Reduce working capital by optimizing finished goods inventory inhouse and across partners. (From excel to automated KPIs)

• rVista:

Census like eyes on retail, HoReCa, and other locations. (From 3 years effort to 3 days)

8. Overwrite.ai

Overwrite team of expert linguists, machine learning engineers, marketers, and real estate professionals are dedicated to making the property marketing process easier and more efficient.

Industry: Real Estate

Founded: 2018

Founder: Ayman Alashkar

Applications or Projects: 

• Overwrite AI writing assistant for Real Estate Agents

Overwrite.ai is an AI writing assistant that lets real estate agents save time by instantly creating property marketing scripts so that you can focus on closing more deals.

9. Training Calendar

Training Calendar is the world’s first complete platform for skill development and career progression powered by artificial intelligence.

Industry: Entrepreneurship 

Founded: 2016

Founder: Peer Mohaideen Sait

Applications or Projects: 

• Training calendar app

Trainingcalendar.com app is the only platform that brings together all the stakeholders of the skill development ecosystem. 

 10. Eye-C

Eye-C provides one of the most accurate and easy-to-use face recognition solutions on the market. Through a wide range of licensing partnerships, their technology helps consumers better protect their assets with fast and reliable authentication methods, and keep communities safe from violent criminals and national security threats.

Industry: Cybersecurity

Founded: 2021

Founder: Sam Goldstone

Applications or Projects: 

• ROC Enrol

Remote Credential Authentication, operating entirely within the customer’s control.

• ROC Watch Web

ROC Watch works by leveraging face recognition technology to turn your video surveillance into a smart system. Utilizing Monitor, Traffic, and Insight, you can augment your system with FR and know who is on your premises and where.

• ROC SDK

Eye-C Software Development Kit (SDK) is used in face and object recognition. Ranked as the leader in accuracy, our products are developed and built in the USA and used and trusted by the Government and Military.

11. AIQ

AIQ is a disruptive advanced technology pioneer that is leveraging AI to solve complex challenges in the Energy Sector, power digital transformation, and accelerate energy transition; forging towards a more sustainable future.

Industry: Energy

Founded: 2020

Founder: Omar Al Marzooqi

Applications or Projects: 

• Geo-Novus Suite

The Geo-Novus suite is an industry first in subsurface data interpretation. The AI-BHI app fully automates borehole image interpretation, providing key inputs for subsequent structural, geomechanical, or sedimentology analysis.

• Drill-Novus Suite

The Drill-Novus suite provides advanced features to optimize and improve the drilling processes.

• Opti-Novus Suite

The Opti-Novus suite monitors and tracks assets allowing for maximization of asset lifecycle and optimization of resources. With evolving AI algorithms, Opti-Novus can drastically reduce business maintenance expenditures through predictive analytics and efficient operations design.

12. Averos

Averos’ unique and state-of-the-art RTLS (Real-Time Location System) and LBS (Location Based System) technological solutions help provide companies and their customers with full and real-time situation awareness of their environment, their customers, their staff, and their valuable assets. 

Industry: Cybersecurity 

Founded: 2016

Founders: Anas Basalamah, Saleh Basalamah, Yusuf Sabadia

Applications or Projects: 

• IPS

IPS provides Real-time Indoor-Outdoor Location by using BLE and GPS technology.

• NaviBees SDK

Smart & Interactive Indoor/Outdoor Positioning & Navigation. The Navibees SDK provides smart and accurate Indoor Positioning & Indoor Navigation for a variety of buildings.

• ALS

ALS Enables IoT & RTLS Applications Portal with Interactive Dashboard. Averos Location Sphere (ALS) uses RTLS Engine which determines the location of people & assets, by using a system of beacons and scanners.

• Wayfinder Kiosk

Guide your visitors through interactive Kiosk Wayfinder. You will never struggle to find a place again. Find your way with just a touch of the screen.

• VALS

Secure Your Premises. Track Your Visitors’ Location in Real-time. VALS is providing Real-Time Tracking of your visitors with Wireless Badges and managing them with a modern dashboard.

13. Ciclo

Ciclo generates social and environmental impact through the development of technology that transforms waste into opportunities.

Industry: Waste management

Founded: 2017

Founder: Joseph Huayllasco

Applications or Projects: 

• Water Treatment Solutions

Ciclo offers a variety of products for surface water, groundwater, and seawater treatment. Depending on the application, the raw water conditions, and the treatment requirements we provide customized solutions for every need. Our process team is ready to assist you in solving your water treatment challenge.

• Wastewater Treatment Solutions

Ciclo works with selected international partners to provide the most innovative and energy-efficient technologies to get the most out of your sludge and minimize the impact on the environment.

• Sludge Management Solutions

The Ciclo team does not see sludge as a waste product but as a valuable, renewable source of energy and nutrients that can be recovered by utilizing the right technologies.

• Digital Solutions

Ciclo provides a variety of digital solutions for the water industry. From asset monitoring, predicting, and optimizing water and wastewater operations to data analytics software we cover the entire water cycle – water supply, stormwater, sewage collection, and all related assets, such as pipes, pumps, etc.

14. Nexquare

Nexquare specializes in artificial intelligence, school management, data analytics, education system development, and management services.

Industry: Education

Founded: 2015

Founders: Haseeb Ahmed, Raman Thiagarajan

Applications or Projects: 

• POWERING DATA-DRIVEN IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE GLOBE

Award-winning School Management System to automate and manage all administrative and learning activities in a school or group of schools, from one simple interface.

• For EDUCATOR 

Modern, data-centric, end-to-end platform redefines professional learning, certification, and development by giving the control back to the educator.

• HARNESSING BIG DATA ARCHITECTURE

Nexquare enterprise-grade big data analytics platform allows large regulators and governments immediate access to powerful data science capabilities that can integrate with their existing data sources.

• For COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Every college, irrespective of size, can now create a 360° real-time view across otherwise siloed data sets: admissions and enrolment, academic performance, student behaviour, operating efficiency, and regulatory reporting.

15. UnitX

UnitX provides an inspection solution based on deep learning for automated manufacturing. The company specializes in deep learning, robotics, imaging systems, and precision engineering.

Industry: Robotics for Manufacturing

Founded: 2018

Founders: Adam Yang, Keven Wang, Weixiong Weixiong

Applications or Projects: 

• Fully-integrated deep learning enabled inspection systems for automated manufacturing

Highly integrated and retrainable for quick deployments and future compatibility. Alerts of changes in production quality within seconds for rapid root cause analysis. Perpetually improves false acceptance and rejection rates through built-in feedback.

16. Life Expander A.I.

Therapeutic Testbeds, PR Differential Diagnoses, Disease Trajectory Prediction & CDSS Via AC Biomedical Digital Twins.

Industry: Hospital and Healthcare

Founded: 2019

Founder: Farhoud Zolhayat

Applications or Projects: 

• Intelligent Web-based Platform

Life Expander AI is developing an Intelligent Web-based Platform that on one hand helps Neuro-Radiologists, and Neurophysiologists Deliver Prognosis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Plans, with Superior Accuracy, Efficiency, and Lowest Cost (Health-related and Economical). 

17. Elves

Elves is a travel app that helps travelers experience exciting destinations with the support of local travel experts in chat 24/7.

Industry: Tourism 

Founded: 2016

Founders: Karim El Sahy & Abeer Elsisi 

Applications or Projects: 

• Elves App

Travel safely & explore freely with local experts available in chat 24/7. Explore places to go and have exciting experiences. Chat with local travel experts that will give you advice and help you book and enjoy your trip authentically.

18. iWire

iWire is a UAE-based company established since 2009, providing IT services to enterprise clients. As the digital era is unfolding at a breath-taking pace, we are determined to provide leading-edge solutions in the following domains to address the new market realities.

Industry: Telecommunication

Founded: 2009

Founder: Ahmed Fasih Akhtar

Applications or Projects: 

• iWire Connect

iWire Connect is the exclusive Sigfox Operator in the UAE since 2017, to provide a communication network for IoT solutions.

• iWire Technology

iWire Technologies is an IoT product and IoT solutions company across many countries – UAE, India, KSA, Turkey, and European countries.

• iWire Global

iWire Global is expanding its footprint into nine countries to provide a communication network for IoT solutions.

19. PasHakeem

PaşHakeem is a mobile application that aims to reduce the distances between you and the Medical staff. PaşHakeem seeks to provide all hospital services to your home to be more comfortable and safe and provide integrated health care at home.

Industry: Healthcare

Founded: –

Founder: Tamer Shawer

Applications or Projects: 

• PasHakeem App

PaşHakeem is a mobile App specialized in delivering Digital Integrated Home Healthcare Services. 

Check out the ones that interest you, and drop a comment if you know of any great MENA AI startups that we’ve missed. Don’t forget to also share it with your friend so they have an idea of how the world is evolving.

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