Tech Revolt Magazine: July 2025

July 2025 | techrevolt.io

Rise of AI Videos This in-depth feature examines the opportunities, risks, and ethical challenges shaping digital trust in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.

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Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note AI vs AI In today’s fast-paced digital world, artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s at the heart of how businesses operate and compete. As AI adoption grows, a new form of competition is emerging: AI versus AI. More companies are deploying AI systems that interact, compete, and even negotiate with one another.

From automated trading algorithms battling for optimal deals to AI customer service bots working alongside AI-driven supply chains, machines are now competing in real time to optimize outcomes.

This AI-on-AI competition offers remarkable opportunities, driving innovation and efficiency at unprecedented levels.

Yet it also raises important challenges around transparency, control, and ethics. How do we ensure fairness when algorithms continually outwit each other? What happens if AI develops strategies beyond human understanding or oversight?

Kasun Illankoon

As businesses leverage AI to outsmart rivals and improve processes, it is crucial to understand both the advantages and risks of autonomous systems clashing in unpredictable ways. The future of business will increasingly depend on managing this complex interplay between competing AI technologies.

Editor in Chief, Tech Revolt

Navigating this new frontier demands not only technological savvy but also thoughtful regulation and ethical frameworks to guide AI’s role in commerce. The AI versus AI dynamic is reshaping industries, and staying informed is key to thriving in this evolving landscape.

Content | April 2025 05 | AgTech

24 | Education

30 | Startup Spotlight

As climate change intensifies, iyris’ SecondSky solutions help secure sustainable food production in harsh climates, supporting agriculture’s global future.

An exclusive interview with Dawraty’s CEO on AI-powered education transforming universities and addressing students’ unique academic needs across the Middle East.

Covering the latest startup news and sharing fresh stories from across the Middle East’s innovation ecosystem.

10 | AI The UAE makes AI compulsory in schools, shaping future talent and driving national digital innovation ambitions.

14 | Cover Story AI-generated human videos are transforming industries, yet raising urgent questions about digital trust in a world where seeing is no longer believing.

27 | IoT Krucial’s satellite-powered IoT solutions are breaking digitisation barriers, enabling real-time data and resilient asset monitoring across remote industries like energy, agriculture, logistics, and beyond.

35 | Unicorn After years of hype and inflated valuations, startups now face a reset prioritising cash flow, realistic valuations, and genuine productmarket fit to survive.

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A gT e c h

Food Security in Heat As climate change accelerates and the global population edges closer to 10 billion, securing sustainable food production in some of the world’s harshest climates has become one of agriculture’s greatest challenges. Among the companies working to address this issue is iyris, an early-stage AgTech business founded in Saudi Arabia, now expanding globally with its innovative SecondSky solutions.

Kasun Illankoon, Editor-in-Chief at Tech Revolt, spoke to John Keppler, Executive Chairman of iyris, about the company’s mission to empower farmers in hot climates, its rapid growth across multiple markets, and the crucial role accessible, scalable technology will play in the future of global food security.

What inspired iyris to focus on sustainable AgTech solutions for hot climates?

Our founders met while at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science & Technology) in Saudi Arabia. They were acutely aware of the difficulties faced by farmers in hot climates and recognised early on that climate change would only intensify these challenges. Interestingly, much of the AgTech development globally had focused on heat retention — which makes sense for colder countries — rather than mitigating extreme heat.

Source, iyris

John Keppler Executive Chairman of iyris

They also understood the bigger picture. With the global population expected to rise to 10 billion by 2050, and with more than 70% of the world’s fresh water resources already used by agriculture — increasing to 85% in arid regions — something had to change. Our founders committed themselves to finding practical, sustainable solutions that would allow farming to thrive in the regions with the highest projected population growth, which are also among the hottest.

Unlike companies based in cooler climates, they had first-hand experience of the challenges unique to hot, arid regions. That experience proved invaluable in designing technologies tailored for these conditions.

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A gT e c h

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

How does SecondSky technology specifically reduce water and energy use for farmers?

SecondSky™, our flagship product, addresses the core issue by blocking near-infrared solar heat radiation.

When integrated into agricultural covers — whether polycarbonate, polyethylene, netting or shade screens — it reduces the temperature inside enclosures, the soil or substrate, and the plants’ leaf temperatures.

This lowers the amount of water required for irrigation, as plants experience less heat stress and consequently transpire less. Where farms use mechanical cooling systems, they too become more efficient as the load is reduced, resulting in up to 30% lower water and energy use. For farmers, this means a meaningful reduction in input costs and greater resilience in the face of rising temperatures.

What makes iyris’ patented grafting processes distinctive in combating extreme climates?

Our process improvements have significantly enhanced the reliability and speed with which traits such as heat, drought and salinity tolerance are introduced into plants.

Importantly, this is achieved through a non-GMO process.

By refining the grafting technique, we’re able to bring these resilient traits into crops more quickly than traditional breeding allows — which is crucial in regions where climate conditions are deteriorating rapidly.

How quickly can farmers typically see a return on investment after adopting iyris products?

One of our core principles is that farmers should see a return on their investment within a single crop cycle. The products incorporating SecondSky™ typically have a lifespan of between three and ten years, depending on the cover type.

Source, iyris

We fully recognise that farming is inherently highrisk. A single failed crop can be devastating, so mitigating that risk is essential. By reducing heat stress, our products help farmers secure higher-quality yields

while

simultaneously

lowering

input

costs.

In one recent 90-day cucumber trial in the UAE, financial gains achieved from increased yield and reduced costs more than covered the initial investment. Similar results have been observed with strawberries and tomatoes.

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This kind of rapid ROI is unusual for AgTech solutions, which often take much longer to deliver financial returns.

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A gT e c h

Why is it important for your tools to integrate with traditional farming methods and supply chains?

We believe effective AgTech should be simple to adopt and shouldn’t demand that farmers completely alter the methods they’ve relied upon for generations. Farmers have an extraordinary wealth of knowledge and intuition — honed through experience — and it makes far more sense to offer tools that enhance their existing operations rather than overhaul them.

Additionally, by making our products available through traditional, trusted agricultural supply chains, we enable farmers to source our solutions from suppliers they already know. These suppliers understand the local business environment and challenges their customers face, which helps build credibility for our products. The rapid uptake — with our tools now deployed in 17 countries and covering over six million square metres — suggests this approach resonates strongly.

How have your commercial validation farms in the UAE and Saudi Arabia impacted adoption rates?

Our showcase farms have proven instrumental in accelerating adoption. There’s a tangible, immediate difference when stepping into a greenhouse fitted with SecondSky™ — the reduction in temperature is something visitors feel at once.

At our UAE farm, which is part of the Silal Innovation Oasis, visitors can not only experience the conditions first-hand but also review the data collected daily from the site. Uniquely, our data is independently verified

by Silal’s Research & Development team, providing a further layer of credibility.

It’s particularly important for us to demonstrate that our tools work at commercial scale, not just in laboratory settings. As many of our customers are understandably cautious, seeing the results first-hand — both in terms of climate control and crop performance — often proves the deciding factor.

How quickly can farmers typically see a return on investment after adopting iyris products?

As global temperatures climb, the demand for sustainable, hot-climate We’ve

AgTech

already

solutions

seen

is

only

going

to

increasing

crop

failures

grow.

due

to

heat stress in countries like Spain, Morocco and Egypt —

traditionally

important

exporters

of

fresh

produce.

That said, much of the current AgTech innovation caters to high-tech farming. Our focus is different: we aim to support low- and mid-tech farmers, who account for the vast majority of the agricultural sector. To put it in context, of the

2.7

million

globally,

only

—

a

and

hectares

100,000

mere

1,000

of

hectares hectares

protected are are

agriculture

high-tech

farms

vertical

farms.

We see significant opportunities in India, China, Central and South America, Australia and continued growth in Southern Europe and North Africa. Of course, with our roots in the GCC, this region remains an important market, where the need for our solutions is particularly pressing.

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A gT e c h

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

How do you ensure your technologies remain accessible to low-to-mid tech farmers worldwide?

Accessibility is fundamental to our product development strategy.

Not

just

in

terms

of

availability

through

local supply chains, but also in terms of affordability.

Agricultural

coverings

—

whether

polyethylene

—

to

be

need

netting,

replaced

plastics

or

periodically.

By

integrating our technology into products farmers are already accustomed to purchasing, we minimise disruption while offering an easily justified, incremental cost increase. The value delivered by that investment is quickly realised through improved yield, reduced costs and lower water usage.

It’s vital that low- and mid-tech farmers — the underserved majority — have access to solutions proven to work in their

environments,

with

their

crops.

By

offering

local

distribution and competitive pricing, backed by extensive trial data, we’ve made sure our tools remain within reach for most farmers, not just large commercial operators.

What role can AgTech innovations like iyris play in addressing future food security challenges?

Our mission has always been clear: feeding the world sustainably.

That commitment remains central to everything we do.

Addressing future food security means tackling several urgent questions:

1. How do we produce more with fewer resources?

Growing demand in emerging markets

Agriculture consumes 70% of the world’s fresh water, rising to 85% in arid climates. Innovations like SecondSky™ help reduce water and energy use, which is essential as resources become scarcer.

2. Can we increase local production and reduce reliance on imports?

In the GCC, for example, up to 85% of fresh produce is imported.

Enabling local farmers to grow more, even in harsh conditions, is key to improving food security in the region and beyond.

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3. Are solutions available that work now?

While automation, AI and big data have their place, farmers need tools they can deploy immediately, without expensive new infrastructure or specialist training.

SecondSky™ was designed to deliver tangible benefits from day one.

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Smart Mapping

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AI

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Rewiring Education With AI A Future-Ready Generation For Alistair Jarvis CBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of London, the UAE’s decision represents far more than a curriculum update. “The UAE’s decision to embed AI into the school curriculum is an important step in preparing students

In a bold move that cements its position as a forward-thinking nation, the United Arab Emirates has announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become a compulsory subject across all levels of government education — from kindergarten to Year 12.

The decision, which comes as part of the country’s wider ambition to lead in digital innovation and AI-driven economies, is expected to reshape not just classrooms, but the nation’s future workforce.

Education leaders, universities, and workforce experts have welcomed the announcement, describing it as timely, necessary and transformative.

However, the initiative also raises important questions about infrastructure readiness, teacher training, curriculum development and ethical considerations.

We spoke to industry professionals to get their take on this landmark decision and what it could mean for the UAE’s next generation.

Kasun Illankoon Editor in Chief, Tech Revolt

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for a technology-driven future,” he stated. “It is a swift and decisive response to a technology that is changing our society and economy faster than ever. By normalising AI literacy from a young age, the country is cultivating a generation that doesn’t just consume technology, but builds and innovates with it. This early exposure lays the groundwork for a thriving domestic research ecosystem and supports the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for AI-driven innovation.”

John Keppler CBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Partnerships and Governance) at the University of London

Jarvis emphasised that while technical skills are vital, so too is the need for a balanced skillset. “To be truly prepared for the AI workforce of tomorrow, students will need a fusion of technical and human-centric skills. Core competencies should include data literacy, computational thinking and ethical reasoning, alongside creativity, adaptability and interdisciplinary collaboration.”

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AI

Inside the Classroom From a school leadership perspective, Anishkaa Malpani, Director at Dhruv Global School in Dubai, sees both exciting prospects and practical hurdles ahead. “Embedding AI into the curriculum from kindergarten to Year 12 presents a range of promising opportunities alongside significant challenges,” she explained.

Malpani pointed to the potential for personalised learning

pathways,

AI-driven

engagement

tools

and real-time analytics to transform the classroom experience.

“AI

improves

accessibility,

supports

students with diverse learning needs and builds futureready skills such as algorithmic thinking, digital fluency and ethical reasoning,” she said.

However, challenges remain. “Infrastructure gaps, especially in remote areas, designing age-appropriate content and ensuring teacher preparedness are major concerns,” Malpani added. She highlighted that to meaningfully engage with AI education, a structured and inclusive approach is needed, combining technical

Anishkaa Malpani

training, ongoing mentorship and creating safe spaces

Director at Dhruv Global School in Dubai

for both teachers and students to experiment and learn.

Echoing this, Deepika Thapar, CEO and Principal at Credence High School Dubai, said their institution has already taken steps in this direction by offering AI/STEM classes from Grade 1. “This offers exciting opportunities to build critical thinking, creativity and digital fluency from a young age,” she noted. Yet, she acknowledged the complexity in keeping content both ethically grounded and age-appropriate while keeping pace with fast-evolving technology.

“We support our teachers through regular training and workshops, ensuring they’re confident and up-to-date. Students learn through hands-on, real-world projects, making AI and STEM both engaging and relevant. At Credence, we believe in teaching AI not just as a tool, but as a responsibility,” Thapar said.

Ms.Deepika Thapar Singh CEO-Principal, Credence High School

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AI

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A Workforce in Transition As AI reshapes industries and careers globally, preparing the future workforce is as crucial as equipping classrooms.

According to education leaders, initiatives like this one help bridge the gap between learning environments and the demands of a rapidly changing job market. By introducing AI from the earliest stages of education, the UAE is investing in a generation capable of navigating — and leading — in a world where technology and human skills must coexist.

Healthcare has been among the sectors most significantly transformed by AI innovation, with Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres actively investing in both technology and workforce upskilling. Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, stressed the importance of equipping professionals to thrive in this changing environment.

“Recognising the importance of navigating a digital

healthcare landscape, Medcare has implemented several learning and development programmes, including mandatory training modules on emerging technologies, continuous medical education and partnerships with external academies,” Dr. Laiju shared. “The aim is to ensure our employees are confident, capable and ready to integrate AI-powered tools into patient care and operational decisionmaking.”

Dr. Laiju noted the value of blending technical AI skills with distinctly human competencies. “In this fast-changing environment, skills like emotional intelligence, critical thinking and adaptability are becoming increasingly valuable.

As automation takes over routine tasks, cultivating these human strengths will be essential for workforce success, particularly in patient-centred sectors like healthcare,” she added.

Dr. Shanila Laiju Group CEO Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centers

Medcare’s practical implementation of AI-powered diagnostics and AI-assisted surgeries has been bolstered by AI-simulated training tools, enhancing both operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Dr. Laiju highlighted that “the aim of incorporating AI into the workforce should not be to replace the human element, but to empower professionals to excel in their fields, optimise healthcare systems and improve clinical education.”

Looking Ahead The UAE’s move to embed AI into its national curriculum signals a long-term, future-focused vision for education and workforce development. By laying a strong foundation of AI literacy and digital competencies from a young age, and by actively reskilling the current workforce, the country is positioning itself to lead in AI-driven economies, healthcare, logistics, and beyond.

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As Dr. Laiju aptly summarised, “Seeing AI as a partner in enhancing systems and supporting human potential — rather than as a replacement — will empower professionals and future leaders to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”

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Cover Story

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The Rise of AI-Generated Human Videos and the Battle for Digital Trust.

Yet, alongside the enormous potential these AI-generated human videos offer lies a growing challenge: safeguarding Tech Revolt spoke with leading experts across marketing, cybersecurity, and communications to explore the rise of AI-generated human videos.

This in-depth feature examines the opportunities, risks, and ethical challenges shaping digital trust in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.

digital trust in a world where seeing is no longer believing. As synthetic media becomes indistinguishable from authentic footage, concerns around misinformation, consent, and identity theft are rising sharply. Regulators, technologists, and industry leaders must work together to create frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting the integrity of digital communications. The future of visual media may well depend on how responsibly this powerful

By Kasun Illankoon

tool is developed, regulated, and ultimately embraced.

In an age where artificial intelligence continues to reshape how we communicate, the emergence

Across the Middle East and beyond, businesses

of AI-generated human videos stands as one

and institutions are grappling with how to harness

of the most transformative — and contested —

the

technologies of our time. These synthetic videos,

videos while mitigating the risks posed by misuse,

featuring lifelike digital avatars that can accurately

misinformation, and identity threats. The voices

mimic human expressions, voices, and mannerisms,

of industry experts and leaders reveal a complex

are beginning to redefine the way businesses,

landscape

governments, and individuals engage with their

and

creative

of

urgent

potential

of

innovation, calls

for

AI-generated

ethical

proactive

human

dilemmas, governance.

audiences. From marketing and customer service to corporate storytelling, telehealth consultations, and even fraud prevention, the applications for this technology are expanding at a remarkable pace.

Marketers

are

already

leveraging

AI-generated

videos to produce personalised, scalable content at

a

fraction

of

traditional

production

costs.

In the healthcare sector, AI avatars offer new opportunities for virtual patient care, providing remote consultations in multiple languages and even offering mental health support without the limitations of human availability. Meanwhile, security experts are both deploying and scrutinising this technology, as deepfakes and synthetic media become more convincing and harder to detect.

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Unlocking New Frontiers in Engagement “AI-generated avatars can add a dynamic layer to customer engagement,

particularly

for

on-demand

content,

multilingual support, or hyper-personalised messaging,” says Adam Taylor, Director of Marketing at IFZA. His observations capture the growing enthusiasm among brands to leverage this technology for scalable, cost-effective storytelling.

Cover Story

Cover Story

Ethical Boundaries and Trust in Healthcare In healthcare, the stakes for trust and transparency are even higher

Adam Taylor, Director of Marketing at IFZA

Taylor explains how AI allows for rapid production of content

that

can

be

customised

across

languages

and styles, helping businesses meet the demands of increasingly segmented markets. “We see a future where marketers shift from ‘mass messaging’ to ‘mass intimacy’ — personalised communication at scale, enabled by AI.” Similarly, Alex Jena, Chief Strategy Officer at dentsu MENAT, emphasises that the true creative advantage lies not in merely producing synthetic content but in preserving authenticity. “The opportunity isn’t just to personalise at scale — it’s to do it in a way that still feels real, still connects, and still respects the intelligence of the audience.”

Yet,

both

experts

caution

against

complacency.

“Personalised doesn’t necessarily mean personal,” Jena warns. Synthetic videos, no matter how polished, can risk feeling “templated” or “synthetic,” especially in cultures where emotion and nuance are paramount.

Rania Roxana Akkela, Group Marketing Director at Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres

Rania

Roxana

Akkela,

Group

Marketing

Director

at

Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres , outlines the promise and perils of AI avatars in patient communication.

“Telehealth can assist healthcare professionals in using resources more efficiently,” she says, highlighting how AI-generated avatars can streamline prescription refills and chronic case management. However, Akkela is clear that patients must understand these avatars are not human — a distinction essential to maintaining trust.

“Healthcare is all about trust and transparency. Patients should such

not as

rigorous to

feel

deceived,”

disclaimers

within

vetting

medical

uphold

by

ethical

she

stresses.

avatar

standards

Safeguards

interactions

professionals in

AI

are

and vital

deployment.

Alex Jena, Chief Strategy Off icer, dentsu MENAT

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Cover Story

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The Growing Threat of Deepfakes While AI-generated human videos offer exciting possibilities, they also open Pandora’s box of risks — most notably deepfakes, hyper-realistic synthetic videos used maliciously.

Haider Pasha, Chief Security Off icer at Palo Alto Networks

Haider Pasha, Chief Security Officer at Palo Alto Networks, describes the sophistication of these threats.

“Attackers are using AI-generated lip-syncing, face-swapping, and voice cloning to launch smarter, more dangerous attacks,” he says, citing instances of cybercriminals impersonating executives to steal funds or sensitive data. “Deepfake videos can impersonate individuals, enabling social engineering attacks that traditional security tools may not catch.”

The challenge is compounded by the rapid advancement of AI technology, which outpaces many organisations’ ability to detect and respond effectively.

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Santiago Pontiroli, Lead Security Researcher, Acronis Threat Research Unit

Santiago Pontiroli, Lead TRU Researcher at Acronis , notes the industrialisation of these tactics. “Criminals aren’t just experimenting; they’re actively using generative AI to craft tailored attacks that bypass traditional defences.”

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Cover Story

Fortifying the Defences Experts agree that combating the misuse of AI-generated videos demands a multi-layered, proactive approach. Ezzeldin Hussein, Regional Senior Director at SentinelOne , advocates for combining advanced technological safeguards with clear organisational policies.

Ezzeldin Hussein, Regional Senior Director, Solution Engineering – META, SentinelOne

“Using sophisticated machine-learning tools helps identify subtle inconsistencies or digital manipulation signatures,” Hussein explains. “Implementing digital watermarking and content provenance standards enables traceability and authenticity verification.”

Employee training is another crucial pillar. Haider Pasha highlights the importance of awareness: “Helping teams understand how to spot and report AI-generated video threats is critical.” Organisations must also strengthen access controls and authentication methods to reduce vulnerabilities.

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Cover Story

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The Role of Brands in Protecting Digital Trust Brand risk and reputation consultants stress the urgency for companies to set guardrails before crises occur. Gerry McCusker, Managing Director of The Drill, points out that many brands remain ill-prepared for AI-driven reputation challenges.

“Brands need to stop being dazzled by AI’s sparkle and assess its threat potential just as earnestly,” he warns. Clear AI policies guiding the ethical use of synthetic video content are essential, alongside robust crisis communication plans to manage any fallout.

Adam Taylor from IFZA echoes this sentiment, underlining the necessity for internal protocols. “Any adoption of such tools requires this as a minimum to preserve trust and credibility.”

Navigating Cultural Nuance in a Synthetic Age The Middle East’s rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions adds another layer of complexity to the adoption of AIgenerated human videos. Alex Jena of dentsu MENAT underscores this point, noting that cultural and emotional resonance is crucial for brands in the region.

“In a region where culture, emotion, and context carry real weight, the risk of synthetic content feeling hollow or unconvincing is amplified,” Jena explains. This calls for brands to not only personalise content at scale but to ensure it “still feels real” and connects authentically with diverse audiences.

Adam Taylor of IFZA adds that this is where human oversight becomes indispensable. “While AI-generated avatars offer scalability and speed, they should enhance, not replace, genuine human connection — especially in cultures that value personal relationships and trust.”

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Cover Story

The Fine Line Between Innovation and Risk As with any rapidly evolving technology, the excitement around AI-generated human videos is tempered by the potential for misuse. Rob T Lee, Chief of Research at the SANS Institute , highlights the emerging threat posed by nation-state actors.

“Highly accurate deepfakes are already being weaponised,” Lee warns. He references North Korean groups using synthetic media to drain cryptocurrency wallets and conduct espionage, illustrating how sophisticated and covert these attacks have become.

This underscores the urgent need for organisations to rethink their cybersecurity frameworks. Santiago Pontiroli of Acronis stresses that technology alone isn’t enough.

“Detection tools are improving, but organisations must also invest in training and awareness,” Pontiroli says. “Security should be embedded across departments — not just IT — because social engineering via synthetic videos targets human behaviour as much as technical vulnerabilities.”

Rob T Lee, Chief of Research at the SANS Institute

Healthcare on the Frontlines of Trust Within healthcare, where misinformation can have life-or-death consequences, the rise of AI-generated human videos presents a uniquely delicate challenge.

Rania Roxana Akkela of Medcare Hospitals articulates the stakes: “Synthetic videos can undermine patient trust, especially if fake testimonials or misleading information circulate.” To counter this, Medcare has introduced stringent monitoring and watermarking of video content to assure authenticity.

The healthcare sector’s cautious yet innovative approach to AI avatars — used for appointment reminders or wellness advice — balances efficiency with ethical responsibility. “Patients need to know when they’re interacting with AI,” Akkela insists, “and those interactions must be transparent and medically vetted.”

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Cover Story

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Tertius Wolfaardt, Architecture & Engineering Manager ME at Axis Communications

The Role of Surveillance and Security While marketing and healthcare focus on engagement and trust, the physical security sector confronts AI-generated videos from a technical perspective. Tertius Wolfaardt of Axis Communications shares how their approach integrates AI carefully to enhance surveillance without sacrificing human judgement.

“We view AI as a tool to improve situational awareness and incident response — not a replacement for human operators,” Wolfaardt explains . Axis’s Edge Vault technology, which cryptographically signs video streams, safeguards against tampering and enhances the integrity of surveillance footage.

Rising to the Challenge: Industry Preparedness and Proactivity Across sectors, a common theme emerges: businesses are currently playing catch-up in the face of AI-generated video risks.

Ezzeldin

Hussein

of

SentinelOne

states

plainly,

“Most

organisations are underprepared, relying on outdated detection methods that struggle against evolving AI capabilities.”

He stresses the importance of proactive measures, including multi-layered technological defences, digital watermarking, biometric verification, and real-time monitoring. “Waiting to respond after a crisis hits is no longer an option.”

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“The challenge is ensuring the security and resilience of these systems as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated,” he adds. Axis is investing heavily in hardware and software solutions to maintain trust in video evidence and surveillance data.

Similarly, Gerry McCusker of The Drill advocates for preemptive crisis communications planning. “Proactive preparation today can help avoid far more serious consequences tomorrow,” he notes.

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Cover Story

Regulation and the Road Ahead With rapid AI advances, regulators worldwide are beginning to act, though gaps remain.

Santiago Pontiroli highlights regional disparities: “The EU’s AI Act and China’s content labelling rules set important precedents for transparency in synthetic media. Yet many countries, including within the Middle East, have yet to develop comprehensive policies.”

He suggests that beyond laws, industry standards like DeepMind’s SynthID and the C2PA authenticity framework offer technical tools to bolster trust. Yet technology is only one part of the equation.

“Digital literacy campaigns, stakeholder education, and cultural adaptation will be critical for long-term resilience,” Pontiroli concludes.

Gerry McCusker, Managing Director, The Drill

Shaping a Trusted Future

Building digital trust in the era of AI-generated human videos requires more than technical fixes; it demands a cultural shift within organisations. As Gerry McCusker from The Drill

The

rise

of

AI-generated

human

videos

is

undeniably

highlights, “Risk diligence — the duties, processes, and plans

reshaping communication landscapes across the Middle East

that help distinguish fact from fiction during any crisis — is the

and globally. The technology offers tremendous promise for

foundation for resilience.”

personalised storytelling, efficient customer engagement, and new healthcare models. But the risks to digital trust — from deepfakes and misinformation to brand dilution and ethical breaches — demand a balanced, vigilant approach.

As Adam Taylor of IFZA puts it,

“The future of AI videos is bright,

but only if brands invest in quality control, transparency, and

Companies must embed these principles across departments — from marketing and communications to cybersecurity and human resources. Only by fostering a shared understanding of AI’s capabilities and risks can businesses prepare to respond swiftly and confidently when synthetic media challenges emerge.

human oversight.”

Alex Jena of dentsu MENAT echoes this call for intention and authenticity: “The creative edge won’t come from AI alone — it will come from brands that know themselves deeply enough to use AI as a powerful extension of their identity.”

The Imperative of Transparency and Accountability

In an era where “seeing is believing” no longer holds true,

Transparency is key to maintaining public confidence. As

businesses must champion digital trust as their most valuable

Medcare’s Rania Akkela stresses, “Patients should be made well

currency. From advanced technology safeguards to ethical

aware when interacting with AI avatars and understand their

policies and ongoing education, the battle for trust will shape

limitations.” This honesty builds trust rather than erodes it.

the trajectory of AI-generated human videos for years to come.

Brands should adopt clear disclosure policies for AI-generated content,

ensuring

audiences

can

differentiate

between

synthetic and human-generated media. Digital watermarking and provenance tracking offer vital technical support, but the human element — honest communication and ethical use — will ultimately determine success.

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Cover Story

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Investing in Human Expertise and Ethical Innovation

Governments, industry bodies, and tech companies must work

While AI enables remarkable efficiencies, it cannot replace

Emerging frameworks such as the EU AI Act and content

human creativity and ethical judgement. Alex Jena of dentsu

labelling rules provide valuable templates, but widespread

MENAT warns against “flattening brand identity” by relying

adoption

on generic off-the-shelf avatars. Instead, brands must “train

misinformation effectively.

together to develop robust regulations, share best practices, and invest in detection technologies.

and

enforcement

are

necessary

to

combat

their own models, embedding tone, values, and voice” to retain distinctiveness and emotional resonance.

Moreover, industry players like Axis Communications and SentinelOne demonstrate the importance of innovation in

Human input throughout the creative process — from prompt

security infrastructure, combining hardware and software

engineering to quality control — will ensure AI-generated

solutions to protect the integrity of video content.

videos remain authentic and engaging. As IFZA’s Adam Taylor puts it, “AI-generated avatars should enhance, not replace, real human connection.”

Heightened Security Vigilance: A Critical Layer Haider Pasha, Chief Security Officer for EMEA & LATAM at Palo Alto Networks, sounds a clear warning about the evolving threat landscape: “Deepfake videos can impersonate individuals, enabling social engineering attacks that traditional security tools may not catch.” He urges organisations to scrutinise visual content with the same rigour as suspicious emails or links, combining technical controls with employee awareness to

A Call to Action for the Future The technology behind AI-generated human videos is advancing at a breathtaking pace, offering unprecedented opportunities for storytelling, engagement, and efficiency. Yet with great power comes great responsibility.

Businesses in the Middle East and worldwide must rise to the challenge of balancing innovation with integrity. By investing in advanced safeguards, fostering transparency, cultivating human creativity, and preparing for emerging threats, organisations can safeguard digital trust — the cornerstone of meaningful connections in the digital age.

defend against these sophisticated identity threats.

As we step into this new frontier, the question is not whether

Collaborative Efforts and Industry Standards Addressing the challenges of AI-generated synthetic videos requires collaborative action.

22

AI-generated human videos will reshape our communication landscape, but whether we will shape the technology in ways that honour authenticity, protect trust, and empower humanity.

Te c h R e vo l t | A p r i l 2 0 2 5

AI Models & Foundation Model Providers

23

Education

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Dawraty Drives AI Education In this exclusive interview, Kasun Illankoon speaks with Dr Ryan Dougherty, Co-Founder and CEO of Dawraty Educational Group.

Dr Dougherty shares the inspiration behind Dawraty, an AI-powered education platform built to localise and personalise learning for university students in the Middle East. He discusses the challenges of fragmented resources, the role of AI in transforming higher education, and Dawraty’s expansion roadmap across Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and beyond — all while addressing the unique needs of students in medicine and engineering.

1. What inspired you to launch Dawraty, and what specific challenges in the Middle East’s higher education sector are you aiming to address?

The idea for Dawraty stemmed from our own experiences as medical students in Kuwait, where we witnessed first-hand how fragmented and generalised most learning resources were.

Students were juggling PDFs, YouTube videos, overpriced tutors and outdated notes, none of which were built with local context in mind. The Middle East has aspiring students, but they are underserved by tools that neither reflect their curricula nor adapt to their individual pace.

We launched Dawraty to tackle five core challenges: the lack of personalised content, inefficiencies in sourcing reliable material, high costs for quality tutoring, poor engagement from static resources, and a shortage of trusted, specialised content in fields such as medicine and engineering. Dawraty was created to localise and personalise digital education in high-stakes, higheffort fields that demand depth, accuracy and motivation.

2. How does Dawraty’s AI-driven platform adapt to local curricula and personalise learning experiences for students in medicine and engineering?

Our personalisation engine begins with an onboarding assessment that maps a student’s strengths, knowledge gaps, learning style and pace. Based on this, we generate a dynamic study guide tailored to their university’s curriculum. This isn’t merely a content playlist — it evolves as students progress.

Dawraty aligns directly with syllabi at institutions such as Kuwait University, AGU Bahrain, and the University of Jordan. Our AI adapts quiz difficulty, flashcard reviews and lesson sequencing according to real-time performance. An integrated AI tutor supports learners 24/7 with instant answers and personalised feedback.

Dr. Shanila Laiju Group CEO Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centers

We complement this with interactive video modules, gamified learning tasks and simulation-based tools to keep students actively engaged. By fusing AI with human insight, we’ve created a continuous learning loop that grows with the learner.

3. Could you share a success story or impact metric that highlights Dawraty’s value in one of your current markets?

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In Kuwait, where we launched our pilot, we partnered with instructors from leading medical universities to build coursealigned review materials. Within the first 12 months, over 5,000 students enrolled, and we recorded a 70% completion rate across our most intensive medical review modules — nearly double the regional average for online course engagement.

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Education

Perhaps most telling was the student feedback: over 85%

We aim to go beyond passive content delivery — we’re working

reported feeling better prepared for final exams compared to

towards personalised learning companions that support

traditional study methods. One notable success came from our

students from pre-med to residency, or from undergraduate

exam-prep programme for biostatistics, where students who

engineering to professional certification.

subscribed to our course achieved at least a one-letter grade increase compared to the class average.

4. With your expansion into Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and upcoming plans for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, what market dynamics or needs shaped this roadmap?

6. What’s been the biggest hurdle in localising digital education tools for diverse university systems, and how have you addressed it?

The biggest challenge has been content alignment. Even when two universities offer the same course — say, pharmacology

We focused on countries with a strong base of universities,

— the depth, sequence and assessment formats often differ.

centralised curricula in health and engineering, and high mobile

Generic platforms tend to overlook these nuances.

penetration among students. Kuwait and Bahrain were natural starting points given our roots and network. Jordan followed due to its large pool of medical and engineering students, particularly from the University of Jordan, Mutah, and Al-Balqa.

We addressed this by hiring local instructors and building bespoke curriculum maps for each institution. We don’t merely translate; we localise. We also developed a content tagging engine that enables instructors to map their material to

Saudi Arabia and the UAE offer scale and infrastructure.

institutional syllabi, ensuring students always access the most

Saudi has over two million university students and is rapidly

relevant content first. This modular approach has helped us

embracing edtech. The UAE, with its private sector orientation

scale personalisation without compromising quality.

and openness to innovation, provides fertile ground for our B2B SaaS offerings. We’re tailoring our approach for each: direct-tostudent in Kuwait and Jordan, institutional partnerships in the UAE, and hybrid pilots in Saudi Arabia.

5. How do you see AI transforming higher education in the Middle East over the next five years — and where does Dawraty fit within that future?

AI will narrow the gap between high-volume classrooms and individualised learning. Over the next five years, we expect to see three major shifts: adaptive content that responds to student performance, AI tutors handling routine faculty queries, and predictive analytics identifying at-risk students early.

Dawraty is actively building towards this future. Our roadmap includes deeper integration of natural language processing, localised voice assistants and course-specific AI tutors designed to replicate high-quality human mentorship.

7. Finally, what advice would you offer to other founders building AI-powered solutions for the region’s education sector?

Solve for the student first. It’s tempting to build flashy tech, but if it doesn’t help the user study smarter, it won’t endure. The region is full of ambition but underserved by contextually aware solutions. Don’t copy and paste models from abroad — listen, localise and pilot.

Secondly, combine tech with trust. In education, credibility is everything. Partner with respected instructors, focus on high-impact subjects and prove your outcomes. Students and institutions will follow.

Lastly, invest in multilingual, mobile-first design. Your users are likely juggling multiple responsibilities, limited time and mixed language fluency. If your product adapts to their world — not the other way around — you’ll earn loyalty quickly.

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To p I n te g ra to r s

26

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I oT

Satellite IoT Powers Industry Kasun Illankoon recently sat down with Kevin Quillien, CoFounder and CTO of Krucial, a pioneering startup redefining remote connectivity through satellite-enabled IoT solutions.

In this exclusive conversation, Kevin unpacked how Krucial is helping industries overcome longstanding barriers to digitisation in hard-to-reach environments. From enabling real-time data flow in remote oil fields to transforming asset monitoring strategies in sectors like agriculture, energy, and logistics, Kevin offered valuable insights into the future of resilient, hybrid IoT systems. Here’s what he had to say.

1. How is satellite-enabled IoT helping industries overcome connectivity challenges in remote or hard-to-reach environments?

The digital transformation of industry has long depended on terrestrial infrastructure—fibre, 4G/5G, or Wi-Fi. However, for sectors operating in remote or infrastructure-poor regions, this model has always had limitations. Satellite-enabled IoT shifts the paradigm by decoupling connectivity from geography.

By enabling real-time data transmission in areas far beyond

Kevin Quillien, Co-Founder and CTO of Krucial

the reach of terrestrial networks, satellite IoT removes one of the last major barriers to digitisation for sectors like energy infrastructure, mining, maritime logistics, and agriculture. This means that even assets deep in offshore oil fields or solar farms in deserts can be monitored, controlled, and integrated into

3. How is Krucial’s technology supporting sectors in achieving real-time asset monitoring and operational efficiency?

enterprise systems.

For industries operating across remote and rugged geographies,

The real shift is not just technological – it is strategic. Satellite

digital transformation has long been out of reach. That has

IoT allows organisations to adopt global, standardised operating models, gain visibility across their full asset base, and close the digital divide between core and remote operations. It transforms

changed. Krucial CONNECT enables real-time asset monitoring and control in sectors like energy infrastructure, aquaculture, and environmental management—without relying on legacy

what used to be “data black holes” into sources of actionable

infrastructure.

insight.

Organisations deploying Krucial are unlocking up to 30–50% efficiency gains by eliminating manual processes, reducing

2. What are the key benefits of integrating satellite and cellular networks for continuous IoT data flow in critical operations?

maintenance callouts, and optimising asset performance.

Hybrid connectivity is not a luxury in critical operations- it is a

In short, Krucial helps turn previously underperforming or

safeguard against financial, reputational, and environmental risk. In sectors like energy infrastructure and remote utilities, every moment of downtime can cost tens of thousands in lost revenue, repair costs, or non-compliance penalties.

By integrating satellite and cellular connectivity, Krucial CONNECT ensures uninterrupted data flow, regardless of location. It enables proactive maintenance, real-time oversight, and regulatory compliance—all while avoiding the cost and

They’re also increasing uptime, improving compliance reporting, and gaining complete operational transparency.

invisible assets into high-yield contributors to a business’s bottom line.

4. In what ways can cloud-enabled infrastructure improve predictive maintenance strategies for industrial businesses?

Predictive maintenance depends on data density, reliability, and accessibility. For organisations with widely dispersed

delay of infrastructure installation.

infrastructure—such as utilities, energy networks, or logistics

The business case is clear: hybrid IoT reduces operational risk,

tissue, enabling centralised analytics and distributed decision-

improves resource efficiency, and delivers measurable ROI through reduced failures, faster intervention, and fewer on-site interventions.

fleets—cloud-enabled infrastructure acts as the connective making.

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I oT

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Source, Krucial

Satellite IoT plays a pivotal role by making it possible to collect continuous data from remote assets where terrestrial connectivity is inconsistent or unavailable. Once ingested into cloud platforms, this data can be modelled, compared, and used to train AI systems that flag anomalies and forecast failures well before they occur.

Beyond maintenance, this model also supports inventory optimisation, supply chain synchronisation, and workforce planning. In other words, cloud + satellite IoT doesn’t just make maintenance smarter—it rewires the entire operational stack for more intelligent, resilient industrial systems.

5. Why is resilient, modular IoT system design essential for operations in rugged or isolated locations?

Harsh environments expose weaknesses in traditional IoT system design. In remote, high-stakes settings—from offshore energy platforms to Arctic research stations—digital systems must not only collect data but do so with minimal human intervention, survive extreme conditions, and operate autonomously for extended periods.

Resilient, modular IoT architecture addresses these constraints by distributing functionality across robust components that can be easily deployed, swapped, or scaled. When paired with satellite connectivity, this design allows systems to run independently of local infrastructure, ensuring uptime and data continuity even in the face of power loss, weather events, or physical access limitations.

A new design philosophy is emerging: distributed intelligence at the edge. Instead of relying on centralised systems or consistent human oversight, modular IoT nodes can collect, process, and communicate data directly creating decentralised, self-sustaining monitoring ecosystems. This is particularly vital as industries push into more remote frontiers for energy, food, and materials.

6. What role do digital twins play in transforming data strategies for large-scale, remote operations?

Digital twins have moved from theoretical innovation to strategic necessity, especially for asset-heavy sectors operating across vast geographies. Their power lies in their ability to simulate, analyse, and optimise systems without direct physical interaction—an approach that becomes exponentially more valuable in remote or high-cost access environments.

The effectiveness of digital twins depends entirely on the quality and continuity of real-world data flowing into them. Satellite IoT provides that link for hard-to-reach assets—delivering continuous telemetry, environmental data, and equipment health metrics directly into the twin model.

As the gap between physical and digital narrows, digital twins become the coordination hub for predictive analytics, scenario

28

modelling, and autonomous decision-making. For industries like energy infrastructure or mining, this means greater control, fewer site visits, and better alignment between on-ground realities and centralised planning.

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I oT

7. How is the demand for satellite-backed IoT solutions evolving as industries increasingly prioritise remote monitoring capabilities?

We’re entering a new era of operational expectations: full visibility, real-time data, and zero tolerance for blind spots. This is driving unprecedented demand for satellite-backed IoT, especially in sectors like energy, infrastructure, water, and environmental management.

With trillions in global infrastructure investments planned over the next decade, Krucial is positioned at the intersection of necessity and opportunity. Hybrid IoT is no longer a future technology, it is a present imperative.

One of the many reasons we’ve been supported by the MBRIF is our relevance to many of the industrial sectors in the UAE and the wider GCC. It is clear that our technology is well aligned with the UAE’s digital strategy and we are excited to be able to utilise satellite IoT to transform the economics of operations in the region by enabling smarter, leaner, and globally scaleable systems that deliver rapid and repeatable RoI. 8. What are the biggest misconceptions businesses have about deploying IoT connectivity in connectivity blackspots, and how can they be addressed?

The outdated perception is that remote digitisation is slow, expensive, and highly complex. That belief is costing businesses millions in inefficiency, risk, and missed opportunities.

Krucial CONNECT removes those barriers. It’s a fully modular, API-first platform that allows organisations to plug into scalable hybrid connectivity without specialist infrastructure or teams. With out-of-the-box deployment, seamless cloud integration, and predictable pricing, digital transformation becomes a low-friction, high-impact investment.

And the returns speak for themselves—faster time-to-value, lower operational cost, and increased resilience across mission-critical assets.

Source, Krucial

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Startup Spotlight

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Startup Spotlight erad erad, the Riyadh-headquartered alternative financing platform for SMEs, has successfully raised US$16 million [SAR 60 million] in a Pre-Series A round to accelerate its growth and expand operations in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The round was backed by leading global and regional funds including Y Combinator, Nuwa Capital, Khwarizmi Ventures, Aljazira Capital, VentureSouq, Oraseya Capital, and Joa Capital.

SMEs remain the backbone of the GCC economy, yet access to capital continues to present a significant growth challenge, with an estimated US$250 billion credit gap. This funding will support erad’s mission to offer fast and flexible financing solutions to underserved small and medium-sized businesses via its proprietary, data-driven financing platform. Focused on revenue-generating businesses, erad provides access to Shariah-compliant financing within 48 hours.

Salem Abu-Hammour, Co-founder of erad, commented:

“While SMEs continue to power the GCC economy, entrepreneurs in

retail, F&B, healthcare, and other sectors struggle to secure the capital they need to scale up. Over 60% of our customers are first-time credit takers, and we are proud to be partners in their growth while fostering financial inclusion. Together with our investors, we are excited to play a role in the growth of these SMEs, which are having a significant economic impact in the region.”

To date, erad has supported hundreds of businesses with over SAR 100 million (US$26.6 million) in funding across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, driving substantial growth in both markets. Demand for erad’s solutions continues to increase, with over SAR 2 billion (US$532 million) in funding requests received on its platform since launch — underlining the critical need for alternative SME financing options in the region.

The company services customers across Retail, F&B, e-Commerce, Healthcare and beyond, including well-recognised names such as Citron, Wixsana, and House of Pops. erad plans to leverage this investment to strengthen its market presence and broaden its product offerings. With a focused entry into Saudi Arabia, the company will prioritise local hiring across multiple roles. erad remains committed to enhancing financial accessibility for SMEs, supporting sustainable economic growth, and contributing to Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of increasing SME participation in the national economy.

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Faris Yaghmour, Youssef Said, Salem Abu-Hammour, Abdulmalik Almeheini

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Startup Spotlight

Kilow Kilow, a leading digital health and weight management solution, has successfully closed its US$2.5 million seed funding round, led by Sanabil Venture Studio (a subsidiary of Sanabil Investments) in partnership with Stryber.

This investment comes at a time of rapid growth for Kilow, as the company continues to revolutionise the weight loss experience through AI-powered, personalised solutions and seamless health data integration. By leveraging technology, Kilow aims to help users achieve their health goals more efficiently and sustainably.

Driving Innovation in Digital Healthcare Since its inception, Kilow has been committed to building a comprehensive digital ecosystem that empowers users through: •

Personalised treatment plans designed by expert healthcare professionals

•

Real-time health tracking through seamless integration with smart devices

•

At-home lab testing for accurate health insights without the need for clinic visits

•

Specialised medical consultations to support users on their weight loss journey

Fahed Al-Essa, CEO of Kilow, stated:

“This investment strengthens our vision of delivering highly personalised and efficient

digital health solutions. Our goal is to transform the way individuals approach weight loss by offering a smart, integrated experience that enables long-term success.”

Rayan Aebi, CEO of Sanabil Venture Studio and General Partner of the Fund, added: “We’re proud and excited to support Kilow as they redefine digital health. Our investment in their innovative approach reflects our commitment to back impactful, tech-driven ventures and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by advancing health and innovation.”

Strategic Partnership for Growth and Expansion Sanabil Venture Studio’s participation in this round reflects its confidence in Kilow’s potential to lead the digital healthcare space in the region. With this funding, Kilow plans to expand operations, develop new features, and enhance user experience — with a strong focus on AI-driven insights and smart health analytics to improve user outcomes.

Fahed Al Essa, CEO at Kilow

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Startup Spotlight

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Stitch Stitch,

the

launching

unified and

platform

scaling

for

financial

products, has successfully closed a US$10 million seed round. The Saudi Arabia-headquartered

company

attracted

backing

from

investors

such

Arbor

Ventures,

as

COTU

Ventures, Raed Ventures and SVC. Additional support came from family offices

and

industry

veterans

like

Marqeta’s founder Jason Gardner and Abdulmalik AlSheikh, a key figure behind payment networks like mada and Sadad in Saudi Arabia. This funding will accelerate Stitch’s expansion plans and drive transformation in financial infrastructure across the region.

Growing

Demand

for

Financial

Technology Infrastructure The need for integrated technology infrastructure for financial and nonfinancial

institutions

continues

to

grow, both globally and in the Middle East. The global Banking & Financial Services Industry (BFSI) is forecast to reach US$221.39 billion by 2033, up from US$91.42 billion in 2024. This growth comes

with

a

compound

annual

growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% during the forecast period. Increased demand for digital transformation in banking, financial services and insurance drives this trend.

Mohamed Oueida, Founder & CEO of Stitch

In Saudi Arabia, banking sector assets have risen to US$1.12 trillion (SAR 4.22 trillion). Between 2019 and 2021, digital payments in the country jumped by 75%. Additionally, point-of-sale transactions reached US$177.69 billion (SAR 667 billion) in FY 2024.

Stitch’s Role in Closing the Infrastructure Gap Despite the region’s rapid digitalisation, banks, lenders and consumer brands still struggle to build modern financial products. Stitch addresses this gap through a unified infrastructure platform built in the Middle East with the capability to compete globally. Initially launched for clients in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the platform has begun attracting interest from Eastern Africa, with Kenya as its first market entry.

Reinventing Financial Product Development “At Stitch, our vision is to reinvent how financial and non-financial institutions bring banking and payment products to market,” said Mohamed Oueida, Founder & CEO of Stitch.

“Today, the process of building financial products is broken. Businesses are forced

to navigate outdated legacy systems and complex regulatory frameworks, making things slow, expensive and unnecessarily difficult. It doesn’t have to be this way. Stitch exists to change this. Institutions should be able to focus on what matters, with a platform that can mould around their creativity. We aim to make this process far more enjoyable for our partners.”

The Platform’s Competitive Edge Stitch stands as the first business of its kind in the Middle East. Its API-driven platform helps enterprises develop financial products while removing the inefficiencies of legacy systems. The solution meets the demands of modern financial services and allows banks

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and fintech firms to launch products up to 80% faster.

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Startup Spotlight

The newly raised US$10 million will fund team expansion and platform enhancements. Stitch aims to strengthen its position as a trusted infrastructure partner for banks, fintechs and non-financial enterprises seeking to integrate financial services. Major clients such as Lulu Exchange, Alamoudi Exchange, Foodics, Dar Al Tamleek, Raya Financing and Tanmeya Capital already rely on Stitch’s technology to launch tailored financial solutions.

Investor Confidence in Stitch’s Vision Nora Alsarhan, Deputy CEO and Chief Investment Officer at SVC, commented:

“Our investment in Stitch reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of innovative Saudi-based startups, enabling them to compete both regionally and globally. We believe Stitch has the potential to play a pivotal role in developing a more capable and resilient financial ecosystem in the Middle East and beyond.”

Khaled Lababidi, Partner at Arbor Ventures, added: “As emerging markets digitalise their financial services, we believe the next generation of technology infrastructure will come from places like Saudi Arabia and be led by founders who truly understand these regions. Stitch is a clear example of this shift, combining local expertise with global standards to support institutions across emerging markets. Their platform addresses long-standing infrastructure gaps by offering a simplified yet compliant solution that’s built for scale, speed and security.”

Wael Nafee, General Partner at Raed Ventures, stated:

“For the first time, financial institutions in the region have a local infrastructure partner, built from the ground up with their realities in mind and the capability to compete internationally. Stitch isn’t just creating an alternative to legacy systems; it’s setting a new standard for how financial products should be built. Their focus on technical depth, coupled with global ambition, has set them apart from day one. This is not just the kind of company we want to back — it’s a reflection of the impact Middle East startups can have on the global tech ecosystem.”

Attracting Top Industry Talent Since its founding in 2022, Stitch has built a strong leadership team by recruiting industry experts from respected organisations such as FIS, Geidea, Rain Financial, NPCI India, Al Rajhi Bank and others. The company remains dedicated to delivering long-term innovation within the banking and payments sector.

Source, Stitch

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AI Creators

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Unicorn

The Unicorn Reckoning After a decade defined by sky-high valuations, Silicon Valley bravado, and a steady stream of freshly minted unicorns, the startup world finds itself in the midst of a sharp and humbling reckoning. The era of growth-at-all-costs has given way to one dominated by cash flow discipline, realistic valuations, and a back-to-basics focus on product-market fit. The result is an increasingly unforgiving environment for late-stage startups, and a new playbook for founders, investors, and incubators alike.

This recalibration has forced many startups to rethink their strategic priorities. For WakeCap, it means doubling down on core product development, deepening integrations with key ecosystem players like Oracle and OpenSpace, and expanding only in markets where demand is proven and strong. In Dr Albalawi’s words: “It’s about doing more with what we’ve proven works and still investing in the people and technologies that accelerate our growth.”

by Kasun Illankoon, Editor-in-Chief at Tech Revolt

The company’s recent funding round is testament to this philosophy, less about chasing unicorn status, and more about sustainable execution. As Dr Albalawi put it candidly: “The construction industry doesn’t care if you’re a unicorn. They care if you can deliver better safety, real productivity gains, and smarter project controls.”

The Pressure to Pivot For founders like Dr Hassan Albalawi, CEO of WakeCap, the shift in market sentiment has confirmed the importance of building businesses rooted in tangible value. Having recently closed a US$28 million Series A funding round, Dr Albalawi’s approach has been resolutely grounded in delivering meaningful solutions for the construction industry.

A Selective Investment Climate From the investor perspective, the shakeout has been both sobering and instructive. Karim Cherif, Head of Alternative Investments at UBS Global Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Office, described a clear shift in buyer priorities over the past 18 months.

“Deal activity involving unicorns has seen a shift, with buyers becoming very selective and focused on sectors demonstrating long-term potential,” he explained. While AI/ML startups continue to buck the trend, accounting for 60% of VC deal activity in the past year, sectors like defence, health care, and security are also attracting increased attention.

Dr Hassan Albalawi, CEO and Founder of WakeCap

“At WakeCap, we’ve always been focused on building

technology that solves real problems on site; profitability comes naturally when you do that well,” he explained. “That said, the market shift has made it more important than ever to be disciplined. Growth for the sake of growth isn’t impressive anymore; what matters is how efficiently you scale.”

Karim Cherif, Head Alternative Investments at UBS Global Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Off ice

The consequences of this market correction have been plain to see. Down rounds, once a rarity, have surged, with more than 15% of all VC deals in the past year completed at lower valuations, the highest proportion in a decade.

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Unicorn

Te c h R e vo l t | J u l y 2 0 2 5

Cherif believes this trend is likely to persist in the quarters ahead,

At Canadian University Dubai’s new incubator, the emphasis is

as startups recalibrate expectations and investors demand

on ventures aligned with regional priorities like sustainability,

evidence of operational resilience and clear revenue pathways.

digital transformation, and social impact.

“Late-stage startups navigating exit options in a

“The unicorn reckoning is reshaping the culture of tech

A Cultural Reset in Tech

The End of the Unicorn Era?

The so-called ‘unicorn reckoning’ is not just a financial correction;

Despite the prevailing doom-and-gloom headlines, the unicorn

it’s a cultural one too. According to Dr Adam Fenech, Provost at

model isn’t entirely dead. Valuations above US$1 billion will

Canadian University Dubai, the downturn marks a fundamental

remain a useful shorthand for identifying breakout companies.

maturation of the tech ecosystem.

What’s changed is the pathway to reaching that milestone and

“While some aspects of this correction resemble typical market

what it represents.

cooling valuation environment should act decisively and strategically,” he advised. “It has now been four years since the sharp valuation increases of 2021, and time is running short. Companies should be pragmatic with valuations and not limit themselves to IPOs. Strategic sales, mergers, and secondary transactions should all be on the table.”

entrepreneurship by shifting the focus from rapid valuation growth to long-term value creation,” Dr Fenech added. “This recalibration is fostering a more grounded and responsible entrepreneurial mindset, one that prioritises sustainable business models, transparent governance, and real impact over hype.”

cycles, there are also fundamental differences,” he observed.

“Investor expectations are increasingly aligned with clear revenue models, resilience, and long-term impact.”

This change has opened new opportunities for entrepreneurship rooted in purpose rather than prestige.

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Source, Canva

“Focus on product-market fit before anything else,” advised

WakeCap’s Dr Albalawi. “If you’re solving a real problem in a real industry, the value will follow. Don’t get caught up in the hype cycle or distracted by vanity metrics.”

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Unicorn

This sentiment is echoed by investors like Karim Cherif, who believe that while speculative scaling is out of favour, highquality companies with disciplined financial management and clear exit strategies can still command premium valuations. The days of investors funding sky-high growth projections without a credible business model, however, are over.

Cherif noted: “Emphasising strong cash flow management,

Source, Canva

disciplined cost control, sustainable growth, and operational resilience can help position a company for a valuation premium compared to peers.”

“Yes, the shift away from the singular pursuit of billion-

A Healthier, More Resilient Ecosystem

dollar valuations has the potential to fuel a healthier and more sustainable innovation landscape,” affirmed Dr Fenech.

“It encourages entrepreneurs to focus on real-world problem solving, responsible growth, and long-term value rather than speculative scaling.”

As painful as the current correction has been, many see it as

At Canadian University Dubai’s incubator, this ethos is already

a necessary step toward a healthier, more resilient startup

shaping the next generation of startups, ventures that are

ecosystem. By weeding out speculative excess and refocusing

impact-focused, agile, and better equipped to navigate the new

capital on mission-driven, value-generating ventures, the tech

funding realities.

economy may emerge stronger and more sustainable in the

As Dr Albalawi aptly summarised: “Hype fades, but execution

long run.

speaks for itself.”

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JULY 2025

Rise of AI Videos CONTACT US ABOUT US Tech Revolt is a cutting-edge news portal, delivering the latest insights, trends, and stories from the tech world. Dedicated to innovation and disruption, we provide in-depth coverage that empowers readers to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape

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