This week saw big moves in the global tech investment space through some groundbreaking funding announcements. This should further underscore the rising influence of Dubai as a financial hub. From cutting-edge AI-powered video analytics to transformative blockchain innovations, Dubai continues to attract and amplify world-class ventures. 

dubai funding weekly roundup 13th jan to 18th jan 2025

PC: Channel Futures

AI-Powered Video Analytics Secures £5.6M Series A Funding  

Intelex Vision, an AI computer software leader in the United Kingdom, has closed a Series A funding round at £5.6 million ($7 million). This investment will fuel Intelex Vision’s commercial growth and the other development of its disruptive technology with support from Acurio Ventures, Adara Ventures, and Inveready. 

The co-CEOs of the company Callum Wilson and Michael Vorstman made their intentions clear: they intend to penetrate foreign markets while still leading the pack in innovation. “This strategic investment allows us to fuel our commercial growth whilst continuing to invest heavily in the product,” said Wilson.  

This funding has become available as cities and critical infrastructure increasingly become conscious of security. Hugo Fernández-Mardomingo, a partner at Acurio Ventures, called Intelex Vision’s technology a game-changer due to its potential to transform forensic analysis into real-time threat monitoring. Nico Goulet from Adara Ventures went on to describe Intelex Vision as a leader in AI-powered video analytics, expressing pride in continuing their growth. 

UAE’s Sigma Capital Launches $100 Million Blockchain Fund  

In such a launch of the $100 million fund with the purpose of promoting blockchain innovations, Dubai-based Sigma Capital focuses on early-stage initiatives such as decentralized finance, tokenization of real-world assets, gaming, and the metaverse.  

Vineet Budki, Sigma Capital’s CEO and managing partner, emphasized that the wider vision for the fund is to drive an inclusive digital economy. “A digital economy, which I imagine, would be wholly open and inclusive,” Budki said.  

The fund has a deployment period of three years during which it is to support at least 100 early-stage projects, manage a diversified portfolio of 25 liquid tokens, and inject more equity into 10 other blockchain-oriented funds. High-profile industry leaders have praised Budki’s history, including Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, who acknowledged Budki’s substantial contributions to the Web3 ecosystem.   

This further cements Dubai’s repute as a Blockchain hub and enhances its credentials as a technology development sector for the globe. 

This week’s developments highlight that Dubai is increasingly establishing itself as an important centre of innovation in AI and blockchain technologies. Successful funding rounds for Intelex Vision and Sigma Capital’s ambitious blockchain fund demonstrate the regional strategic intent directed towards emerging markets. As Dubai continues attracting and developing disruptive ventures, its role as a dynamic change-maker within the global technology ecosystem becomes increasingly entrenched.