• AI
  • 0
  • Closed
  • 3 min read

Again Saudi Arabia is barred from an AI investment

Again Saudi Arabia is barred from an AI investment

Once again Saudi Arabia has not been allowed to invest in an AI entity out of the United States. This time the company is Anthropic partly owned by the fallen FTX crypto exchange. As per CNBC, while sovereign wealth funds are among the investors eyeing to buy into Anthropic, including UAE Mubadala, Saudi Arabia is not one of them.

Anthropic according to sources speaking to CNBC, has ruled out taking money from investors or sovereign wealth fund in KSA. Anthropic executives cited national security, one of the sources told CNBC.

The stake in Anthropic is for sale because it belongs to FTX, the failed cryptocurrency exchange started by Sam Bankman-Fried, and is being unloaded as part of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. FTX bought the shares three years ago for $500 million. The 8% stake is now worth more than $1 billion due to the recent boom in AI.

As per the article proceeds from the sale will be used to repay FTX customers. The transaction is ongoing and is on track to wrap up in the next couple weeks, said people with knowledge of the talks who asked not to be named because the negotiations are private.

The class B shares, which don’t come with voting rights, are being sold at Anthropic’s last valuation of $18.4 billion, sources said. Anthropic has raised roughly $7 billion in the last few years from tech giants like Amazon, Alphabet and Salesforce

While Anthropic’s founders told bankers they wouldn’t accept Saudi money, they don’t plan to challenge funding from other sovereign wealth funds, including United Arab Emirates fund Mubadala. The UAE-based firm is actively looking at investing, according to one of the sources.

In November 2023, The Biden administration forced a Saudi Aramco-backed venture capital firm to sell its shares in a Silicon Valley AI chip startup backed by OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, as per Bloomberg

Altman-backed Rain Neuromorphics, a startup designing chips that mimic the way the brain works and aims to serve companies using artificial intelligence algorithms, raised $25 million in 2022.

Aramco’s Prosperity7, a lead investor in the $25 million round for Rain AI, sold its shares in the startup after a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, people familiar with the matter said, according to the Bloomberg report.

The agency, a U.S. watchdog for deals with national security implications, told the Saudi fund to unwind that deal sometime over the past year, the report said.

This comes as Saudi Arabia plans to create a fund of about $40 billion to invest in artificial intelligence. In recent weeks, representatives of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund have discussed a potential partnership with Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s top venture capital firms.

Saudi Arabia to host Web3 blockchain event Outer Edge

Saudi Arabia to host Web3 blockchain event Outer Edge

Saudi Arabia will be hosting a Web3 Blockchain event called “Outer Edge”. The event will be held in partnership with Animoca Brands, the Blockchain gaming open metaverse company, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KAUST), the national labs of the Kingdom. The event will be held on April 23 2024. Outer Edge Riyadh  event is set to bring together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Outer Edge, historically based in LA and now expanding to the Middle East, is known for hosting memorable events and presenting invaluable networking opportunities for founders, builders, and venture capitalists in emerging technologies.

The Saudi Arabia tech revolution has already made major strides in developing various industries as the country builds a solid ecosystem for digital entrepreneurship. Saudi Arabia is focusing on enhancing its technology sector in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, as businesses continue to invest in new tech such as AI, blockchain, VR, AR, and the Internet of Things. 

Outer Edge Riyadh, a partnership between Edge of Company and Animoca Brands, presented by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), comes at a pivotal moment during the growth of the blockchain sphere. The partnership aims to bring together industry leaders, experts, creatives and more to Riyadh’s innovation district, The Garage, a technology hub for local and international startups. KACST’s strategic partnership with Animoca Brands includes plans for the development of a physical Web3 hub in Riyadh to enhance research and development efforts within the fields of Web3, blockchain, gaming, AI, as well as providing bespoke educational programs. 

Mohammad Hadhrawi, general manager, Gaming and Immersive Technologies Institute at KACST, notes, “At KACST’s Gaming and Immersive Technologies Institute, we are dedicated to advancing the frontiers of R&D in gaming and immersive technologies. Our efforts are aligned with the national vision and strategies, aiming to foster an innovative ecosystem that nurtures creativity, technological advancement, and economic diversification. By spearheading projects that leverage web3, AI, and immersive experiences, we aim to impact the global technology landscape and equip our nation with the skills and opportunities to excel in these fields. Our commitment is to deliver tangible outcomes that contribute to the Kingdom’s position as a leader in the economies of the future (a key priority area for the kingdom), ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all.” 

Joshua Kriger, Outer Edge co-founder and co-host of Edge of NFT and Edge of AI podcasts, stated, “When we started Outer Edge LA, the intent was always to catalyze innovation globally. We are thrilled to take the concept of co-creation, connection and community abroad to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and unite regional and global leaders in Web3, AI, and gaming. Our unique format cultivates long-term collaboration opportunities at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and technology.”

Outer Edge, one of the pioneer events in the world of Web3, tech, culture, and entertainment, today announced a partnership with Animoca Brands, the company advancing digital property rights for gaming and the open metaverse, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the national labs of the Kingdom, to debut Outer Edge Riyadh on 23 April. The dynamic event is set to bring together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Outer Edge, historically based in LA and now expanding to the Middle East, is known for hosting memorable events and presenting invaluable networking opportunities for founders, builders, and venture capitalists in emerging technologies.

The Saudi Arabia tech revolution has already made major strides in developing various industries as the country builds a solid ecosystem for digital entrepreneurship. Saudi Arabia is focusing on enhancing its technology sector in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, as businesses continue to invest in new tech such as AI, blockchain, VR, AR, and the Internet of Things.

Outer Edge Riyadh, a partnership between Edge of Company and Animoca Brands, presented by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), comes at a pivotal moment during the growth of the blockchain sphere. The partnership aims to bring together industry leaders, experts, creatives and more to Riyadh’s innovation district, The Garage, a technology hub for local and international startups. KACST’s strategic partnership with Animoca Brands includes plans for the development of a physical Web3 hub in Riyadh to enhance research and development efforts within the fields of Web3, blockchain, gaming, AI, as well as providing bespoke educational programs.

Mohammad Hadhrawi, general manager, Gaming and Immersive Technologies Institute at KACST, notes: “At KACST’s Gaming and Immersive Technologies Institute, we are dedicated to advancing the frontiers of R&D in gaming and immersive technologies. Our efforts are aligned with the national vision and strategies, aiming to foster an innovative ecosystem that nurtures creativity, technological advancement, and economic diversification. By spearheading projects that leverage web3, AI, and immersive experiences, we aim to impact the global technology landscape and equip our nation with the skills and opportunities to excel in these fields. Our commitment is to deliver tangible outcomes that contribute to the Kingdom’s position as a leader in the economies of the future (a key priority area for the kingdom), ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

Joshua Kriger, Outer Edge co-founder and co-host of Edge of NFT and Edge of AI podcasts, said: “When we started Outer Edge LA, the intent was always to catalyze innovation globally. We are thrilled to take the concept of co-creation, connection and community abroad to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and unite regional and global leaders in Web3, AI, and gaming. Our unique format cultivates long-term collaboration opportunities at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and technology.”

Taking place on 23 April at The Garage in the center of the city, Outer Edge Riyadh will bring together industry leaders, creatives, visionaries, entrepreneurs, and investors for an experience that threads together education and entertainment, to explore beyond the implications of decentralized, Blockchain, Web3 and AI technology on society. Topics will include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture and more.

Notable speakers at Outer Edge Riyadh will include Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands; Calvin Zhou, co-founder of Shrapnel,a venture backed UGC; Salwa Radwi, founder of ‘Nuqtah’, the first Saudi NFT Marketplace; Vatom founder and CEO Eric Pulier; Amanda Cassat, founder and CEO of Serotonin; Cole Damon, CEO of AG Esports Global; Yasser N Al Obaidan, chairman of Jawraa; and Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox.

Yat Siu, the co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, added, “Through our partnership with Outer Edge Riyadh we are honoured to help support the MENA region’s progress toward fully harnessing the power of Web3 and blockchain. Global leaders at Outer Edge Riyadh will gather to engage in spirited discussions, forge valuable partnerships, create new opportunities, and mobilize on a variety of topics ranging from revolutionizing smart cities to redefining finance and entertainment.”

Recently  Co-Founder of the Satoshi Roundtable retreat, and managing director of Chainstone Labs, Bruce Fenton, stated that he is heading to Saudi Arabia to bring Blockchain and Bitcoin education and investment into the country. ChainStone Labs is a Stealth mode financial tech company focused on tokenization of securities and digital assets backed by hard assets.

While Animoca Brands continues to invest heavily in the region.

​

Genetic Blockchain AI identity company now licensed in DMCC UAE

Genetic Blockchain AI identity company now licensed in DMCC UAE

GenomeFi, a specialized Web3 Blockchain and AI platform providing Decentralized Identity (DID) services based on individual genetic characteristics using NFTs, has acquired a business license and a free zone license within the Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC) in Dubai, UAE.

Using AI technology, GenomeFi facilitates genetic information-based NFTs to provide identity verification services reflecting individual genetic characteristics. It aims to expand the ecosystem where DID services and genomic information are available across the spectrum, from genomics to biotechnology. GenomeFi also seeks to establish an incentive system using blockchain technology and encourage mass adoption of genomic content.

The GenomeFi Foundation, along with its core partner CLINOMICS, provides genomic medical solution services through the world’s best Genome-based diagnostic kits, monitors early diagnosis of cancer/disease through liquid biopsy and multi-omics technology, and provides personalized prescriptions, and personalized treatment services. Starting with Clinomics, a key partner, the expansion and popularization of medical services through cooperation with various medical institutions and medical companies can be used in real life by lowering accessibility through distributed ledger technology and Web 3.0, and participants in the GenomeFi ecosystem can receive services.

GenomeFi plans to intensify its business expansion in Dubai, based on networking and cooperative relationships with DMCC member companies.

In addition to collaborating with Web3 companies in Dubai, GenomeFi will focus on realizing a proof-of-concept business model that bridges the blockchain and medical industries through collaboration with genome-based medical centers.

Jimmy Choi, CEO of GenomeFi, stated, “Acquiring the DMCC license will strengthen our position in the Middle Eastern market based on Dubai and lay the groundwork for expanding our partners. We are preparing to conduct collaborative projects in various parts including investment, marketing, medical, on-chain, and community.”

Dubai’s DMCC now home to 600 crypto blockchain companies

Dubai’s DMCC now home to 600 crypto blockchain companies

DMCC announced the number of new companies that enrolled in 2023, with 123 new crypto and blockchain entities registering at the DMCC crypto center, culminating in 600 companies in total. By the end of 2022 DMCC had announced that it had 500 crypto blockchain entities registered in its freezone.

In total Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has enrolled 2,692 new companies in 2023, taking the total number of companies in DMCC to over 24,000.

The launch of new industry ecosystems, the expanded service offerings and the physical growth of the Uptown Dubai district with the launch of Uptown Tower have driven DMCC’s 2023 growth story.

DMCC accounted for 11% of Dubai’s total FDI inflows. As per the 2023 annual report, DMCC became a hub for trading of commodities such as diamonds, and precious stones, gold, as well as a hub for high value services such as crypto, gaming and Web3.

 Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said, “For DMCC, 2023 showcased its ability to sustain its record performance whilst undertaking crucial infrastructure expansions. Attracting 2,692 new companies is testament to our efforts to continuously enhance our value proposition year after year, reinforcing the role we and our members play in driving trade and investment, contributing up to 11% of all FDI inflows to Dubai. With the opening of Uptown Tower and the wider development of Uptown Dubai, our business district is stronger now than it has ever been, and we have set ourselves up for accelerated growth, a crucial factor as we accommodate new waves of investment to Dubai.”

 The DMCC Crypto Centre welcomed industry leaders such as Bybit, Solana and TDeFi into the fold alongside an additional 129 companies. The Centre is now home to 600 firms, further reinforcing its position as the largest concentration of crypto, blockchain and Web3 companies in the region.

Two core growth sectors for DMCC show promising opportunities in 2024 are the Gaming Centre and the impending launch of a new AI Centre. Over the past year, DMCC’s Gaming Centre doubled in size to reach almost 100 members at the year end.

UAE carbon management company launches blockchain and AI ESG platform

UAE carbon management company launches blockchain and AI ESG platform

ImpactGulf, a UAE based carbon management company, has launched an AI Blockchain enabled platform called G4Green, to bring transparency to the ESG (Environmental Sustainable Goals) space. The platform will enable large organizations as well as government agencies and global institutions to bring together their entire network of suppliers, partners, members or portfolio companies on the basis of ethical principles, onboard them in one go, monitor and drive their sustainability performance and implement incentive tools to accelerate their ESG journey.

As per the press release, the platform serves as an internal database and green navigator to help organizations map the ESG factors that are beyond their direct control, yet for which they are held accountable. With a complete view of their stakeholders’ green performance, organizations can easily engage their suppliers in green activities, enable them to set sustainability goals and upload their CSR, ESG and carbon accounting reports and accreditations, while companies new to green practices can use AI to help set their first sustainability goals.

As an enterprise solution, G4Green also assists in identifying sustainable products, services, partners and suppliers, as well as initiating green procurement and building a green supply chain.

Using AI to detect false sustainability claims from large organizations and their suppliers and partners, the platform also helps companies avoid greenwashing, including through scanning their own social media posts for sustainability claim violations before posting.

Commenting on the platform, Yassin Nasri, Founder & CEO of ImpactGulf, stated, “G4Green represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to driving positive environmental change and building capacities in the sustainability space. By providing organizations with the tools and resources to streamline their sustainability efforts, we aim to catalyze a broader shift towards greener business practices. Building and operating a sustainable business is not possible without engaging the entire supply chain.”

The platform provides an excellent foundation for green procurement, ESG risk assessment and sustainable stakeholder empowerment. It is built on the latest technological infrastructure, including the use of AI for data analysis and greenwashing avoidance, as well as blockchain technology for sustainability data traceability.

“Ultimately, the platform is about how key stakeholders in business and society can take their corporate community on an ESG journey, identifying the emissions hotspot within their value chain and minimizing the risk of dumping chemicals into the ocean anywhere in the world, or other unethical practices such as the employment of children by a supplier or partner. G4Green is the answer to all these key ESG risks,” concludes Yassin.

Vidunas Gedeikis, CTO at ImpactGulf, added: “Depending on individual needs, our platform is able to adapt to clients’ own ESG and partner engagement metrics, and integrate advanced technologies, including AI-driven data analytics and blockchain-enabled traceability, to ensure the integrity and reliability of sustainability initiatives. With the customization capabilities of G4Green, we are paving the way for a more transparent, interconnected approach to sustainability management.”

Blockchain and AI IO Research secures $30 million valuating it at $1 billion

Blockchain and AI IO Research secures $30 million valuating it at $1 billion

IO research, a, blockchain and AI startup, founded and headed by Ahmad Al Shadid, has raised $30 million in a series A funding, valuating the company at $1 billion.

IO research, the creators of Depin, is a Solana based decentralized AI compute cloud. IO Research launched DEPIN in November 2023. At the time this was considered as an opportunity for cryptocurrency miners in possession of underutilized GPUs, as well as clients requiring a scalable and affordable computing solution amid rising costs.

In November, Founder and CEO Ahmad Shadid has noted, “This is a monumental moment for io.net and the entire decentralized computing community. We are not simply launching a platform; we are pioneering a global movement towards optimal utilization of computational resources. Our vision has always been to bridge the gap between underutilized resources and rising computational demands facing AI and ML engineers, not to mention crypto miners. I believe we can make a significant contribution to the AI revolution over the coming months and years.”

With deployment speeds of less than 90 seconds, io.net will enable ML and AI engineers to deploy massive enterprise-level clusters to power models for training and inference. io.net is said to be up to 90% more cost-effective than traditional GPU providers such as AWS and Azure.

Few months later, March 2024, IO.net, DEPIN has received $30 million in funding spearheaded by Hack VC in collaboration with several angel investors including Multicoin Capital, 6th Man Ventures, Solana Ventures, OKX Ventures, Aptos Labs, Delphi Digital, The Sandbox, Sebastian Borget of the Sandbox, and others.

In addition, there was investment from Matty Taylor, Ian Krotinsky (founder of Tiplink), MH Ventures, Amber Group, Arkstream, Modular, Continue Capital, Foresight, Longhash, SevenX, and Delphi Digital.

According to sources familiar with the Series A funding, the funds were raised in tranches coupled with the fact that it is structured as a simple agreement for future equity (SAFE), with token warrants in a 1:1 ratio. The first tranche happened in January but it was not until recently that the final one was completed.

The CEO and founder of io.net Ahmad Shadid, explained the terms of the investment, stating that investors have a minimum one-year lock-in period for tokens.

This $30 million fund will help the Artificial Intelligence (AI) protocol enhance the aggregation of blockchain distributed GPUs.

KACST and Animoca Brands to spur blockchain Web3 development in Saudi Arabia

KACST and Animoca Brands to spur blockchain Web3 development in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) during the LEAP 2024 event, signed an agreement with Animoca Brands to propel Blockchain and Web3 system in KSA. The agreement aims to facilitate the entrance of companies and institutions into the Web3 and blockchain ecosystem.

As per the agreement both entities will work to develop joint research and development projects in Blockchain applications, games, AI and metaverse development.

KACST has signed 13 partnerships at the event so far with one being a partnership with the Global Semiconductor Group focusing on the design of electronic chips.

KACST also signed a strategic partnership with Elm Company, to enhance cooperation in the field of future cities’ technologies and emerging technologies, in addition to its partnership with Tulip Technologies Company to enhance cooperation in research and development, and training in the field of robotics, AI, and automation.

Animoca brands has been expanding its presence in the MENA region, including KSA. Animoca Brands was one of the investors in Saudi’s first NFT marketplace platform, Nuqtah. Nuqtah raised a seed round of millions of dollars from Blockchain platform Polygon and Animoca Brands.

In addition, in October 2023, Metaverse creator Animoca Brands Corporation Limited announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“Strategic Partnership”) with NEOM Company (“NEOM”) to drive regional Web3 initiatives in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. This came after NEOM investment fund signed a term sheet for $50 million investment in Animoca Brands.

In the UAE, Animoca Brands, early investors in The Sandbox, invested in UAE gaming startup Farcana, to advance digital property rights for gaming and the metaverse fueling Farcana’s beta launch and development within the Bitcoin Ecosystem with Free Mint Bitcoin ordinals.

Saudi Space and tech commission extend registration for emerging tech sandbox

Saudi Space and tech commission extend registration for emerging tech sandbox

The Saudi Arabian, Communications, Space, and Technology Commission  has extended the registration period for the Emerging Technologies Regulatory Sandbox to March 31, 2024. The Emerging Technologies regulatory sandbox is open for technologies such as Blockchain, IoT, and cloud computing, space technology, AR/VR/XR and 3D printing.

This decision supports the nation’s commitment to innovation and technological advancements, offering entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to experiment with cutting-edge products, solutions, and business models within a flexible regulatory framework.

By allowing additional time for registrations, the CST is inviting a broader spectrum of innovators to leverage this platform, thereby enhancing inclusivity and diversity in the market. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster a conducive environment for launching innovative business models, solutions, or services, with the ultimate aim of supporting entrepreneurs and innovators in bringing their visions to life.

The commission’s recent collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the announcement of the winners of the Internet of Things Challenge 2023 are prime examples of its active involvement in nurturing talent and encouraging technological innovation.

This comes at the heel of the signing of the Deep tech Venture Studio between The Hashgraph Association and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment.

All this is a reflection of the Kingdom’s aim to attract more emerging tech startups and companies to the country.

DMCC Crypto Center and QX Lab to launch AI Center

DMCC Crypto Center and QX Lab to launch AI Center

UAE based DMCC ( Dubai Multi Commodities Center) has partnered with the Dubai-based artificial intelligence firm Qx Lab AI as it gears up to launch the DMCC AI Center later this year.

Through its ‘Ask Qx’ platform, Qx Lab AI offers generative AI capabilities that can be integrated into services such as online chat functions or used by businesses and individuals to enhance productivity.

Ask QX’s unique neural architecture offers unprecedented scalability for the product, providing a digital infrastructure that can benefit firms by reducing overall computational power costs, building up platform security, and creating a protective shield against potential data breaches.

With this groundbreaking technology, QX Lab AI aims to become the first AGI company in the world to access and leverage 372 billion parameters.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC said: “In a short space of time AI has emerged as the single biggest force reshaping the way we do business – and we have barely scratched the surface of its potential. As we prepare for the imminent launch of DMCC’s AI Center, I am delighted to be partnering with Qx Lab AI whose unique generative AI platform and revolutionary neural architecture will provide DMCC and its members with unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency, productivity, and platform security at scale. This is just one example of the innovations we are pioneering from DMCC, reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s leading technology and AI hubs for years to come.”

Tilakraj Parmar, Co-Founder and CEO, QX Lab AI, added: “The significant amount of money invested globally in AI research and deployment is just the start of a seismic shift in the way we all operate – both professionally and personally. We are glad to bring our AI capabilities to DMCC and its 24,000 member companies as we position Dubai at the forefront of AI research and deployment.”

Today the DMCC Crypto Centre is home to over 600 Web3 firms, making it the largest concentration of crypto and blockchain companies in the region. Since its launch in 2023, the DMCC Gaming Centre has welcomed over 100 gaming companies, from developers and publishers to esports teams and software engineers, positioning Dubai as a hub for the immersive form of entertainment.

In 2023 DMCC Crypto Center had announced it had 500 crypto and blockchain companies in the center. Since then DMCC crypto center has signed partnership agreements with Solana and others.

Hashgraph Association and Saudi Ministry of Investment to launch $250 million deep tech venture studio

Hashgraph Association and Saudi Ministry of Investment to launch $250 million deep tech venture studio

The Hashgraph Association (THA), the Swiss-based organization at the forefront of global Blockchain digital enablement, has during the Swiss Economic Mission to Saudi Arabia in the presence of the Swiss Federal Councillor, Guy Parmelin,signed a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to launch a “DeepTech Venture Studio” in Riyadh worth $250M USD over five years (2024-2028).

As part of the Swiss Economic Delegation traveling to Saudi Arabia under the patronage of Guy Parmelin, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), The Hashgraph Association, which fosters the Hedera Blockchain ecosystem, will launch a custom-designed DeepTech Venture Studio to enable local Saudi companies, as well as international portfolio companies seeking to establish operations in the Kingdom, to develop innovative solutions, leveraging deep tech such as AI, DLT, Robotics, IoT, VR, and Quantum Computing.

Dr. Munirah Alaboudi, General Manager, Human Capital & Innovation at the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, stated, “The Ministry of Investment welcomes the launch of a DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh by The Hashgraph Association. With human capital and innovation at the heart of the Saudi Vision 2030, we look forward to the empowerment of entrepreneurship for a vibrant society in Saudi Arabia.”

The DeepTech Venture Studio, which aims to onboard and empower over 500 companies during the five-year program, will receive dedicated support from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia through the facilitation of entrepreneurial licenses and the entrance of companies under Saudi laws and regulations, including connecting with key government stakeholders, strategic partners, and investors. With an investment commitment of $50M USD, THA will be working closely with MISA to onboard other co-investors to participate in this global deep-tech venture-building studio.

Kamal Youssefi, President of The Hashgraph Association, adds, “We are delighted to sign this major strategic partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. We are committed to investing in a digital future through our DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh that will positively contribute to the three pillars of Vision 2030 and foster a thriving digital economy in Saudi Arabia.”

The DeepTech Venture Studio, which will provide technical engineering, training and certification, project delivery, product development, business strategy, commercialization, marketing, legal and regulatory compliance, and venture capital investments – including IPO listing support on the Saudi Exchange (“Tadāwul”) – will be managed by The Hashgraph Group (THG). THG is the service delivery organization of The Hashgraph Association that currently oversees the delivery of the Hashgraph Innovation Program, a professional training and innovation program launched out of Canton Schwyz worth $165M USD over five years (2022-2026). The program is focused on enabling startups, enterprises, and government institutions to develop enterprise-grade solutions and decentralized applications on the Hedera DLT/ Blockchain network. The partnership will also include a cross-border “Entrepreneurship Exchange Program” to facilitate knowledge-sharing and the exchange of entrepreneurial, engineering, and management experience.

Urs Durrer – Head of Office for Economy, Canton Schwyz, said: “We welcome this strategic partnership between THA and MISA to launch a DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh, fostering knowledge-sharing and technology innovation through a Swiss-Saudi entrepreneurship exchange program out of Canton Schwyz.”

The initial phase (Phase A) of the Venture Studio will focus on ramping up local operations within 12 months and onboarding the first batch of 100 projects. The second phase (Phase B) will focus on accelerating the Venture Studio over 24 months and ensuring steady-state operations, while onboarding and investing in a new batch of 200 projects. The final phase (Phase C) of the five-year program will focus on scaling up the Venture Studio operations into new strategic markets globally, and onboarding the next and final batch of 200 projects. Startups qualifying for the program will receive up to $250,000 USD in venture capital investment, with enterprises receiving up to $500,000 USD.

Stefan Deiss, Co-Founder & CEO of The Hashgraph Group, noted “We are excited to launch our Swiss/Saudi government-endorsed DeepTech Venture Studio in Riyadh that will empower the next generation of Web3 entrepreneurs through technological, business, and capital-enablement programs, while leveraging the power and convergence of deep technologies.”

With an experienced team of over 40 professionals and practitioners, THG will begin recruiting and onboarding local talented engineers, industry experts, and professionals, as well as forming a robust local ecosystem of leading Saudi-based technology partners, academic institutions, and international organizations, including leveraging its existing partnerships with IBM, BCGX, and many other leading firms. Interested applicants, partners, and investors, can already register their interest on the registration webpage of the DeepTech Venture Studio: hashgraph-saudi.com.

The Hashgraph Association, also partnered with Tunisian Dar Blockchain to nurture projects, facilitate growth, and profoundly shape the MENA technology landscape