News

Dubai-Based Startup Alfii Raises $2.5 Million In Seed Funding

The significant investment will be used to build new engineering solutions for the company’s FinTech-powered human resource automation platform.

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

Nour Nasir

Alfii

After launching in November 2022, Dubai-based startup Alfii has raised $2.5 million in pre-seed funding as the company seeks to expand its team and develop its product offering.

Alfii is a cloud-based HR automation platform where users can set up a company profile, invite employees, and begin managing documents, employee data, payroll, and more.

The latest funding round was overseen by US-based venture capital company Preface Ventures, as well as Dubai-based Aditum Ventures, Kayan Ventures, and Wayfinders.

“With Alfii’s all-in-one software suite, companies will be able to better understand and manage their human capital resources while improving the user experience for employees with features like digital-to-cash remittances, benefits selection,” says Farooq Abbasi, general partner of Preface Ventures.

With funding now secured, Alfii plans to build a suite of payroll features to provide users with “smarter, faster ways to manage payroll and salary disbursements, drastically simplifying a process that is typically tedious and time-consuming for HR owners,” the company explained.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia’s NOMU Secures $5 Million For Expansion Plans

“We are looking to build the next generation of this product class, and we are building it entirely in-house – which means we need to bring on world-class talent to grow our business and better serve our customers,” added Yousef Albarqawi, Alfii co-founder and chief executive.

The tech startup plans to gradually introduce a whole suite of new features for HR processes, including onboarding, time-tracking, and leave management. Eventually, the Alfii platform will cover the entire employee life cycle.

Since its launch, more than 250 businesses have signed up to Alfii in the MENA region. Customers are currently spread across countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with the UAE comprising the bulk of the customer base.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

16 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.