STARTUPS-

Presight announces inaugural AI accelerator cohort: Data analytics firm Presight AI has selected 10 startups for the first edition of its AI-Startup Accelerator, following a competitive process that drew 120 applications from 17 countries, according to a statement (pdf). The final cohort spans startups that have collectively raised over USD 150 mn — and are backed by global accelerators such as Microsoft, Google, Alchemist, and Techstars. The lion’s share come from the UAE, but startups from Singapore, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and the US also feature in the cohort.

UAE startups in the cohort include:

  • UAE and US-based Derq, which develops AI-powered traffic systems to prevent crashes and improve road safety;
  • UAE and Tajikistan-based Zypl.ai, which uses synthetic data and generative AI to strengthen fraud detection and risk scoring in financial systems;
  • Vulcan, a builder of GenAI-specific security, safety, and compliance tools for public sector and high-tech clients;
  • UAE and US-based NodeShift, offering a sovereign AI cloud platform for deploying large language and vision models with minimal setup;
  • UAE and US-based Cobi, which provides an AI-driven business intelligence platform for improving customer engagement and product optimization.

What now? The selected firms will join a bootcamp in Abu Dhabi focused on technical mentoring, market access, and investment readiness. Backed by Presight, G42, Microsoft, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the program offers participants up to USD 150k in AI compute credits, USD 50k in cash support for UAE operations, and additional access to venture capital funding, Presight said in a separate statement.

REAL ESTATE-

Aldar gets an A rating on ESG: Aldar Properties received an upgraded A rating in MSCI’s latest ESG assessment, according to a press release (pdf). MSCI cited Aldar’s efforts to integrate ESG practices into operations as the reason for the move.

Sustainability targets: Aldar Properties has committed to recycling 87% of construction waste and increasing overall waste recycling by 10% in 2025, according to its latest sustainability report (pdf). It’s also eyeing reducing energy use by 30% and water use by 40% from baseline standards. A 34 MW solar project that is slated for completion this year is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 23k tons annually.

DEBT-

GFH Financial Group maintains stable outlook as ratings withdrawn: Capital Intelligence Ratings affirmed GFH Financial Group’s long-term foreign currency rating at BB- with a stable outlook, and its short-term foreign currency rating at B, according to a statement from Capital Intelligence. The ratings agency simultaneously withdrew GFH’s assigned ratings at the company’s request.

FINANCE-

National Investments Company sets up shop in DIFC: Kuwait’s National Investments Company (NIC) opened its first regional office in the Dubai International Financial Center, according to a press release. The move follows approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The office will provide investment services to local and international clients.

TRANSPORT-

Bringing quantum computing to transport: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is looking at adopting quantum technologies like quantum communication, computing, and cybersecurity, as part of its transition towards smart mobility, according to a statement. The authority is weighing the use of quantum communication to detect suspicious activity and unauthorized access across the RTA’s operations, while quantum computing could help analyze traffic flow patterns, predict congestion, supervise autonomous vehicles, and optimize route planning for public transport, the statement said.

DEFENSE-

Edge partners with CS Group on a tactical communications project: Defense conglomerate Edge Group signed a MoU with French tech firm CS Group to partner on advanced tactical communications systems, according to a press release. The partnership will integrate command systems with data networks, and Edge’s Space and Cyber Technologies Cluster will lead the joint development effort. The project aims to create secure communication solutions for military, government, and business use.

AI-

Airev, Tenstorrent partner on sovereign AI stack: UAE-based AI startup Airev has partnered with US chipmaker Tenstorrent to co-develop a sovereign-grade agentic AI stack for enterprise and public sector use, according to a press release. The platform, OnDemand, will run directly on Tenstorrent’s RISC-V hardware, with a dedicated development node launching in the UAE. The partnership is targeting regulated industries across North America, Asia, and the Gulf as part of a global go-to-market strategy.

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