News

UAE Startup Dukkantek Raises $10 Million In Funding

The digital storefront management platform for retailers hopes to expand its service to North Africa after a successful round of funding.

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2022

Nour Nasir

uae startup dukkantek raises $10 million funding

A technology startup in the United Arab Emirates, known as Dukkantek, has recently raised $10 million in funding, helping the company to get closer to its aim of expanding into new markets and improving core technologies.

The latest round of funding, which venture capital company Beco Capital led, included additional participation from Colle Capital, Rocketship, Comma Capital, Chaos Ventures, AMK Investment Office, and Wamda Capital.

The funding boost will help Dukkantek more easily expand globally by improving the firm’s technology and enabling them to hire more talent. The store management platform raised $5.2 million last October, taking the total investment figure to $15.2 million.

“We are pleased to have witnessed an exponential growth of our company as we provide a technological solution to SME businesses across the world. This second round of funding comes at the perfect time as we are looking to explore growth in additional markets, increase our team size and further advance our technology,” says Dukkantek co-founder, Sanad Yaghi.

Dukkantek was founded in January 2021 and provides a digital storefront management platform that allows retailers to offer advanced point of sale systems that can be accessed online from any location in the world, using the power of cloud computing.

Also Read: Farfetch Aims To Bring Web3 To The World Of Fashion

The Middle East’s eCommerce market is expected to reach $49 billion by 2025, representing a 55% increase from 2021, with the United Arab Emirates alone forecast to grow 60% to more than $8 billion by 2025.

“Launching seven countries in 18 short months since founding is no easy feat, yet the Dukkantek team has managed to do it in such a seamless and capital-efficient manner,” says Abdulaziz Al Sagha, venture partner at Beco Capital.

Dukkantek, named after the Arabic word for corner shop, already supports 13 million small and medium-sized businesses across the Middle East and soon hopes to expand operations to North Africa.

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.