Presight has announced the exciting selection of 12 global companies, all specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, to join the second cohort of its AI Accelerator program! This big news comes after a super competitive worldwide selection process that attracted 376 applications from 62 countries. It really shows how much international interest there is in the program and its important role in supporting startups in the AI sector.
The selection journey kicked off last April, with all the applications going through a series of technical reviews, interviews, and specialized evaluations. This led to a shortlist of 33 companies, which was then narrowed down to 16 finalists. These finalists then took part in virtual demo days organized by Presight earlier this June.
Companies Valued Over $2.1 Billion!
The data revealed that the 33 companies who made it to the shortlist had successfully raised over $341 million in funding. They also achieved more than $28 million in contracted annual recurring revenue, and their combined market value soared past $2.1 billion!
These companies also received fantastic support from some of the world's leading investors and venture capital funds, including big names like Samsung Ventures, AMD, LG, Atlantic Labs, Airbus Ventures, KDB Capital, and Franklin Templeton. This really highlights the high quality of the applying companies and the incredible level of innovation they're bringing to the AI field.
12 Companies from 8 Countries Join the Second Cohort
Presight ultimately selected 12 companies to participate in the second cohort of the program. They even expanded the acceptance scope compared to previous rounds, thanks to the advanced level shown by the candidate companies and how perfectly they aligned with the program's criteria.
Here's the list of the selected companies:
AIM Intelligence from South Korea, which specializes in AI safety and security, developing offensive testing techniques and operational protection systems.
AIRMO from Germany, Luxembourg, and the UAE, focusing on satellite-based methane emission monitoring and AI-powered aerial surveillance.
AITRICS from South Korea, developing clinical AI solutions for early warning and predicting health deterioration within hospitals.
Dtonic from South Korea, offering an AI-powered data platform that transforms spatial and temporal data into immediate operational insights for smart cities, defense, and retail.
Featherless AI from the United States, specializing in providing smart inference solutions and fine-tuning models through a flexible GPU architecture.
FlyNex from Germany, which develops an AI-powered platform to automate drone inspections for critical infrastructure.
FortyGuard from the UAE, providing advanced solutions for temperature prediction, climate analytics, and decision support for businesses and cities.
MangoBoost from South Korea and the United States, specializing in developing agentic AI infrastructure that supports scalable and sustainable data centers.
Rahd·AI from the United Kingdom, which transforms unstructured data into analytical and decision-support tools for the oil and gas sector.
TheStage AI from the United States, specializing in accelerating the performance of AI models without needing fine-tuning processes.
Transparently.AI from Singapore, which uses AI for forensic financial analysis and detecting fraud and accounting manipulation.
Trust Exam from Kazakhstan, specializing in exam proctoring solutions and securing high-stakes assessments using AI.
Judging Panel Features International Experts and Investors
The finalist companies were evaluated by an eight-member judging panel, representing government, academic, investment, and leading technology companies.
The panel included Fatima Issa Al Muhairi, Director of the Advanced Industry and Technology Department at the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; Sultan Al Hajji, Vice President for Public Affairs and Alumni Relations at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence; along with Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight; Dr. Adel Al Sharji, the company's COO; and Majzan Kynesbay, Chief Growth Officer.
Also on the committee were Slava Alipov, AI Advisor to the Group CEO at G42; Tina Daher, Principal Partner at Shorooq Partners; and Sean Lim, Co-Managing Director at K3 Ventures.
Boosting the UAE's AI Ecosystem
Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, shared that the caliber of companies reaching the final stage of the second cohort was truly exceptional. He highlighted that bringing such a talented group of AI innovators from around the world to Abu Dhabi significantly strengthens the AI ecosystem that Presight is actively developing.
He added that the program plays a key role in solidifying the UAE's position as a global hub for applied and sovereign AI, by attracting promising companies and connecting them with the investment and commercial opportunities available in the region.
Strategic Advantages for Participants
The program offers joining companies the chance to tap into the wealth of expertise within Presight and G42. This includes technical mentorship, strategic guidance, and exciting collaboration opportunities with partners and clients both within and outside the UAE.
Participating companies also get access to Presight's International Advisory Board, chaired by Mansour Al Mansouri, the company's Chairman. This board features an elite group of top global investors in the technology sector, including Jack Selby, Managing Director at Thiel Capital, and Ming Xiong Kuok, Founder and Managing Partner of Singapore's K3 Ventures.
Ultimately, the program is a fantastic initiative designed to accelerate the growth of AI-focused startups and boost collaboration among innovators, investors, and decision-makers. This all helps in developing advanced technological solutions that meet the needs of vital sectors and contribute to driving digital transformation worldwide.
Related editorial
Paymob and UnionPay Team Up to Expand Digital Payments Across Egypt, Boosting Global Connections
Exciting news for Egypt's digital payment landscape! Paymob and UnionPay have joined forces to significantly expand UnionPay card acceptance at over 160,000 locations across the country. This fantastic partnership is set to make cross-border payments smoother, giving a big boost to tourism and digital commerce in Egypt.
FRA Dispels Rumors: Non-Banking Financial Companies' Branches Remain Open
The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has debunked recent social media rumors claiming the closure of non-banking financial company branches. The FRA clarified that the decision being circulated is an old one, dating back to October 2025, and specifically does not apply to the non-banking financial companies mentioned in the rumors. The authority assures the public that the sector is operating as usual.
Ahmed Ameer (Asphalt & Sinbad) Explains Egypt's Shift to Smarter Line Haul Pricing
Egypt's inter-city logistics market is undergoing a significant transformation in how 'Line Haul' services are priced. Entrepreneur Ahmed Ameer explains that the industry is moving away from older methods like per-invoice or per-bag pricing towards a more modern 'per-shipment' model. This exciting shift makes logistics services much easier to measure and scale, ultimately boosting operational efficiency and helping businesses manage their costs more effectively.
Bank NXT and EFG Hermes Launch Egypt's First Card to Blend Daily Spending with Investments
Bank NXT and EFG Hermes have teamed up to launch Egypt's first co-branded credit card. This innovative card, designed specifically for EFG Hermes ONE clients, uniquely brings together banking and securities brokerage services, offering a seamless financial experience that connects everyday spending with investment growth.