Dubai-based Disrupt.com to allocate $100 million for establishing and supporting AI-centric startups
Disrupt.com Commits $100 Million to AI-First Technology Ventures
Disrupt.com, a Dubai-based venture builder founded by Aaqib Gadit, Uzair Gadit, and Umair Gadit, has announced a commitment of $100 million to fund global AI-first technology ventures. The firm's strategy prioritizes founders who understand specific pain points and can build long-term defensibility beyond the AI model itself, focusing on adaptability and compound learning given the fast-evolving nature of AI technologies.
The firm's approach to evaluating AI startups is unique, as they focus not only on product-market fit but also on whether the team is innovating sustainably in a highly dynamic market. They look for second-time founders or domain experts partnered with top AI talent who can rapidly prototype and deploy solutions, often with small teams in short timeframes.
Disrupt.com's portfolio includes startups from various sectors such as cybersecurity, retail innovation, and Web 3.0. Some of their investments include PureSquare, a cybersecurity venture, and ZigChain, a Web3.0 platform with 500,000+ users and hundreds of millions in managed assets. They have also invested in AI-focused startups like Agentnoon, an organizational transformation platform, and Ahya, a climate action tool.
In addition to funding, Disrupt.com provides technical and operational expertise to help startups scale. Through their "CoBuild" model, they function as fractional co-founders, providing dedicated engineering, go-to-market, and operations teams. One of their in-house ventures is Squatwolf, a UAE-homegrown fitness apparel brand.
The firm primarily focuses on pre-seed to Series A stage startups with strong organic growth potential and clear paths to profitability. As of now, they have already deployed over $40 million across their portfolio, including four growth-stage companies and seven early-stage investments.
Aaqib Gadit, the Founding Partner of Disrupt.com, expressed excitement about the potential for the region to lead in the development of these technologies. He also mentioned that now is the time to invest in startups that will shape the future, particularly in the context of Web 3.0 and AI. The venture builder employs a team of 650+ professionals, and the firm aims to further expand its portfolio.
However, the sources did not detail exact portfolio companies or specific global investments made under this $100 million commitment, indicating that the fund is still actively deploying capital and supporting portfolio companies in line with the described investment philosophy. No concrete examples of exits or finalized deals under Disrupt.com’s fund were mentioned, suggesting that the fund is still in its active deployment phase.
Despite this, Disrupt.com has already made an exit valued at $350 million, demonstrating their ability to successfully back and grow startups. Aaqib Gadit, the Founding Partner, stated that the firm's goal is to leverage AI as a decision-support tool and as a foundation for disruptive business models with a strong emphasis on sales/distribution capabilities and long-term competitive advantages.
- Disrupt.com's commitment of $100 million is designated for AI-first technology ventures, prioritizing teams that innovate sustainably in a rapidly evolving AI market.
- The firm's portfolio encompasses AI-focused startups like Agentnoon and Ahya, demonstrating their investment in artificial intelligence technologies aimed at shaping the future, particularly in the context of Web 3.0.
