News

Retail Enablement Company Zid Raises $50 Million

Saudi-based retail enablement company, Zid, has successfully raised $50 million in a funding drive led by IMPACT46.

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2022

retail enablement company zid raises $50 million

Zid, the Saudi Arabian retail enablement company, has seen investment from the likes of Aramco venture capital arm (Waed Ventures) and Endeavor Catalyst in a recent round of fundraising, led by IMPACT46, paving the way for future expansion into new markets and helping to further modernize the retail sector.

The recent funding comes after a string of successes for Zid, after the company doubled its revenues from both subscriptions and transactions, as well as seeing a 50% increase in orders, with 7 million users now having made transactions through the platform.

Zid was created to enable merchants to grow their online selling channels. It is now taking on a broader mission to modernize the entire retail sector, improving efficiencies and helping business owners increase their profits.

The company has rolled out solutions enabling retailers to improve both shipping (ZidShip) and payments (ZidPay) and plans to offer financial and cross-border shipping products in the near future.

Also Read: Aramex Has Successfully Tested Drone Deliveries In Oman

“We appreciate the continuous belief and trust that our investors have put into the company, the leadership, and the team. We are focused on being the regional optimum solution for each economy we operate in, having proved it in Saudi Arabia,” says Sultan AlAsmi, Co-founder and CEO of Zid.

Like international giants such as Shopify, Zid is building a community that enables merchants to master online selling with a full-fledged eCommerce ecosystem equipped with sophisticated features. Unlike larger corporations, however, Zid is focused on fostering deep connections with merchants and strengthening the community as a whole. After completing the recent round of funding with help from asset management and advisory organization IMPACT46, the future looks bright for this progressive retail enablement company.

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

22 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.