UAE Presight-Shorooq Fund Announces $100M AI Investments - Sovereign Infrastructure Provider NodeShift Funded

Abu Dhabi's Presight and Shorooq investment companies have announced the first five investments from their $100 million global AI fund, selecting companies from over 1,000 applicants. The fund awarded Abu Dhabi-based sovereign AI infrastructure provider NodeShift $1 million in seed funding, alongside four US-based AI companies. This investment strategy reflects the UAE's focus on building independent AI infrastructure while accessing global AI innovation. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Presight-Shorooq Fund I represents a strategic approach to AI venture capital that combines support for sovereign AI infrastructure with access to global AI innovation. The fund selected five companies from over 1,000 applicants, indicating highly competitive selection criteria. The inclusion of NodeShift, a UAE-based sovereign AI infrastructure provider, demonstrates commitment to building independent AI capabilities. The selection of four US-based companies reflects recognition that global AI innovation is concentrated in the United States. NODESHIFT SOVEREIGN AI INFRASTRUCTURE NodeShift received $1 million in seed funding to develop sovereign AI infrastructure solutions. The company provides tools for organizations to consolidate and manage data from fragmented digital systems and integrate them into new AI-native systems. This addresses a critical challenge for GCC organizations: data silos that prevent effective AI implementation. NodeShift's focus on data consolidation and management positions it to serve a large market of organizations struggling with data fragmentation. US-BASED PORTFOLIO COMPANIES The fund also invested in four US-based companies: Candid ($6M construction-tech), Blue ($5.5M voice AI assistant), Crunched ($6M AI Excel tool), and Hebbia (undisclosed). These investments reflect the fund's strategy to access cutting-edge AI innovation while supporting companies that can serve GCC markets. The portfolio spans multiple AI application areas: construction technology, voice AI, spreadsheet automation, and financial knowledge work. PRESIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT Presight provides portfolio companies with access to cloud compute and GPU infrastructure. This support is critical for AI startups that require significant computational resources. By providing infrastructure support alongside capital, Presight is reducing barriers to entry for AI startups and accelerating their ability to develop and scale AI solutions. This approach creates a competitive advantage for Presight portfolio companies. G42 BACKING AND STRATEGIC POSITIONING Presight is the ADX-listed AI and data analytics arm of G42, one of the UAE's largest technology companies. G42's backing provides portfolio companies with access to enterprise customers, regional expertise, and strategic partnerships. This positioning makes the Presight-Shorooq Fund an attractive destination for AI startups seeking both capital and strategic support from a well-connected regional technology company.