Egyptian artificial intelligence startup Widebot has successfully secured $3 million in pre-Series A funding to advance the development of an Arabic large language model (LLM). Originally established in Cairo, Widebot has since relocated its operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The company is focused on creating “AQL Mind,” a generative AI model tailored specifically for the Arabic language. AQL Mind is designed to comprehend a diverse range of Arabic dialects and accents, enhancing its applicability across various contexts.
“AQL Mind will empower us to provide accurate, secure, and personalized AI experiences to government entities and businesses in Saudi Arabia,” stated Mohammed Nabil, CEO and co-founder of Widebot.
The funding round was led by Keheilan Asset Management II, which is supported by the Saudi investment firm Wafra. The round also saw participation from several notable investors, including Enza Capital, DisrupTech Ventures, LoftyInc Capital, Den VC, and SparkLabs Ventures.
Dr. Ahmed Abdelhamid, CEO of Keheilan Asset Management, expressed his belief in the importance of supporting deep technology companies for regional economic development:
We firmly believe that the future of economic growth in the region relies on fostering deep technology firms. The collaboration between technical and financial resources will strengthen national sovereignty over our technological infrastructure.
