UAE-Based Disrupt.com Commits $100 Million to AI-First Tech Ventures 

As global venture capital funding tightened in 2024, one group of seasoned entrepreneurs is taking a different approach. Disrupt.com, a UAE-based venture builder, has announced a $100 million commitment to support and develop AI-driven technology startups worldwide.

Founded by Aaqib Gadit, Uzair Gadit, and Umair Gadit—three longtime business partners with a shared entrepreneurial background—Disrupt.com marks their strategic reinvestment following the successful acquisition of their previous company, Cloudways, by Digital Ocean Holdings in 2022. The $350 million deal was a milestone in Pakistan’s tech industry, and now, the founders are leveraging their expertise and capital to fuel the next wave of innovation from their UAE headquarters.

Having already deployed over $40 million into a growing portfolio—including four companies built from the ground up, multiple early-stage investments, and a high-profile exit—Disrupt.com’s expanded financial commitment signals a bold step forward. The firm, supported by a team of more than 650 professionals, offers more than just funding; it provides operational support, technical resources, and strategic guidance to help startups scale efficiently.

“Now is the time to double down on experience, investment, and commitment to building the next generation of startups,” said founding partner Aaqib Gadit. “With AI reshaping industries and Web 3.0 still in its infancy, there’s a massive opportunity to develop solutions that will define the future. Our region isn’t just keeping up—we have the potential to lead.”

A Venture-Building Model Beyond Traditional Investment

Unlike conventional venture capital firms, Disrupt.com operates through a three-pronged approach:

• Building startups from the ground up

• Co-developing ventures with external founders

• Strategically investing in early-stage startups and VC funds

Through its unique "CoBuild" model, the firm takes on a hands-on role as a fractional co-founder, providing access to dedicated engineering, marketing, and operations teams to drive early adoption in a cost-effective manner.

The firm’s $100 million commitment is focused on five key sectors: artificial intelligence as a core pillar, alongside cybersecurity, Web 3.0, automotive technology, and retail innovation. Rather than chasing hyper-growth at any cost, Disrupt.com prioritizes startups with organic growth potential and clear paths to profitability, particularly at the pre-seed to Series A stages.

Scaling Startups in a Tough Funding Environment

The announcement comes at a time when startup funding in the region has faced a significant slowdown. According to Magnitt, venture capital investment across MENA fell 29% to just under $2 billion in 2024. Saudi Arabia saw a 44% drop in funding to $750 million, while the UAE’s startup funding declined by 8% to $613 million, creating a challenging environment for emerging ventures.

Despite these market conditions, Disrupt.com’s portfolio demonstrates the effectiveness of its model. Notable ventures include:

• ZigChain, a Web 3.0 platform with over 500,000 users and assets under management in the hundreds of millions

• PureSquare, a cybersecurity startup tackling digital security at scale

• Squatwolf, a UAE-based fitness apparel brand making waves in the region

The firm has also made strategic investments in AI-driven startups, including Agentnoon, a workforce transformation platform, and Ahya, a climate action scaling tool.

Bartolome R. Bordallo, Co-Founder & CEO of ZigChain, highlighted the impact of Disrupt.com’s model: “Some investors just provide funding. Disrupt.com builds with you. Their support helped us grow from a handful of early adopters to managing significant assets and launching our own blockchain.”

Similarly, Squatwolf co-founders Anam Khalid and Wajdan Gul emphasized the venture builder’s founder-first mindset: “Unlike traditional investors, Disrupt.com understands our challenges because they’ve been in our shoes. Their experience as founders makes all the difference.”

Looking Ahead

With a strong pipeline of ventures, Disrupt.com plans to allocate its $100 million commitment toward startups that demonstrate a strong product-market fit, well-researched market alignment, and sound unit economics leading to profitability.

By bridging financial gaps and offering hands-on operational support, Disrupt.com is not just investing in startups—it’s actively shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading innovation hub.