Scale AI Alum Raises $9M For AI Serving Critical Industries In MENA
A new wave of AI innovation is sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa, led by former Scale AI engineer Bilal Abu-Ghazaleh. The founder recently raised $9 million to launch 1001 AI, a startup building advanced AI infrastructure for critical industries in the MENA region.
Image Credits:1001.ai
Backed by investors like CIV, General Catalyst, and Lux Capital, 1001 AI aims to reduce inefficiencies in vital sectors such as aviation, logistics, construction, and oil and gas. The company’s core mission is to develop an AI-native operating system that empowers data-driven decision-making for organizations across the region.
From Silicon Valley To The Middle East
After spending nearly a decade in the U.S., Abu-Ghazaleh relocated between London and Dubai to bring his global expertise home. His experience at Scale AI, one of Silicon Valley’s top machine learning infrastructure firms, provided the foundation for his new venture.
Born and raised in Jordan, he witnessed firsthand how industries in the region struggled with operational inefficiencies. “Just looking at airports, ports, construction, and oil and gas, we see more than $10 billion in inefficiencies across the Gulf alone,” he told TechCrunch.
Targeting Massive Inefficiencies In Critical Sectors
The Scale AI alum believes even small efficiency gains can unlock enormous value in the MENA region’s biggest industries. For instance, optimizing airport operations doesn’t just benefit airports—it also improves airline performance, passenger experience, and logistics chains.
According to Abu-Ghazaleh, nine out of ten mega-projects in the region run over budget or fall behind schedule. By integrating AI decision-making tools, 1001 AI aims to reduce such delays, helping governments and private companies achieve better returns on their investments.
Early Traction And Product Roadmap
Although 1001 AI is only two months old, it’s already attracting attention from some of the Gulf’s largest construction firms and airports. The startup plans to launch its first AI product by the end of the year, targeting large-scale projects that require real-time data analytics and predictive insights.
Once launched, 1001 AI expects to license its technology to new infrastructure developments and government-backed initiatives across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The company’s long-term vision is to become the backbone of AI decision systems for the region’s most critical industries.
Global And Regional Backing
The startup’s $9 million seed round attracted a strong lineup of global and regional investors. The funding was led by CIV, General Catalyst, and Lux Capital, with support from tech leaders like Chris Ré, Amjad Masad (Replit), Amira Sajwani (DAMAC), Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud (RAED Ventures), and Hisham Alfalih (Lean Technologies).
Such backing underscores global confidence in MENA’s emerging AI market. It also highlights Abu-Ghazaleh’s credibility as a Scale AI alum capable of bridging Silicon Valley expertise with regional opportunities.
Why MENA Is The Next AI Frontier
The MENA region is undergoing a massive digital transformation fueled by national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s AI Strategy 2031. Governments are investing billions to integrate AI into public infrastructure, energy, and transportation systems.
Startups like 1001 AI are poised to play a crucial role in this evolution—helping industries transition from legacy operations to AI-driven ecosystems that prioritize efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
A Founder On A Mission
Abu-Ghazaleh’s journey reflects the growing trend of MENA-born founders returning home after global experience to fuel regional innovation. With his deep understanding of AI systems and large-scale data operations, he sees 1001 AI as both a technological and economic catalyst.
“Our goal isn’t just to build software,” he said. “It’s to empower an entire region with intelligent systems that can transform how critical industries operate.”
With $9 million in fresh funding, strong investor confidence, and a clear vision, 1001 AI is well-positioned to redefine how MENA’s critical industries leverage artificial intelligence. The company’s launch later this year could mark the beginning of a new era—where AI becomes a central force in driving operational excellence across the region.
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