Our Investment Thesis

As the co-founders of ADAI Capital, we've spent years navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From working building world’s leading fintech companies (Wio, Tinkoff, Vivid Money) to scaling fintech ventures across Europe and the Middle East, we've seen what it takes to turn raw ideas into thriving companies. But nothing excites us more than what we're building right here in the UAE. ADAI Capital isn't just another venture fund—it's a venture studio designed to supercharge the region's innovation engine, particularly in AI-native applications. In this piece, we’ll lay out why we're doing this, why the timing couldn't be better, and why you, whether you're an investor, a talented builder, or an aspiring founder, should get involved.

Let’s start with a story. A few years back, we were advising a promising fintech startup. They had a killer idea but like so many early-stage teams, they hit roadblocks: talent shortages, regulatory hurdles, and the grind of turning an MVP into a scalable product. Watching them struggle reinforced a hard truth we've learned over the years: great ideas alone don't build empires. You need a system, a playbook, and a network that turns potential into reality. That's the gap ADAI Capital is here to fill.

The UAE has always been a land of bold visions. They've transformed deserts into global hubs for trade, tourism, and now, technology. In the first half of 2025 alone, UAE startups raised over $541 million, with fintech leading the charge. Abu Dhabi, our home base, saw its ecosystem grow by nearly 50% this year, fuelled by sovereign wealth funds and initiatives like Hub71 that are pouring billions into AI and digital transformation. Dubai's no-code and AI scene is exploding, with projections of 33.4% growth in 2025, drawing talent from around the world.

Why fintech? Because it's where the UAE's strengths collide. Take DIFC and ADGM as magnets for international banks with AI layered on top, and you unlock endless possibilities like predictive risk modeling, compliant backend automations and much more. Yet, despite the momentum, challenges persist. The MENA region, including the UAE, faces a "founder-operator gap" - plenty of smart ideas, but not enough experienced hands to execute them at scale.

At ADAI Capital, we're not waiting for the ecosystem to mature; we're accelerating it. Our model tests ideas rigorously, builds minimum viable products (MVPs) in-house, and spins out 2-3 AI-native companies per year. This isn't passive investing, it's hands-on creation. We draw from our experience as a serial entrepreneurs: multiple fintech exits, each blending technical innovation with commercial savvy. These weren't flukes; they were the result of deliberate, iterative building, the same approach we're bringing to ADAI.

Traditional venture capital throws money at startups and hopes for the best. We do the opposite. As a venture studio, we start with problems worth solving, validate them through data and market tests, then assemble crack teams to build. It's like having a startup factory: we mitigate risks early, iterate fast, and scale with precision.

Our focus on AI in fintech isn't arbitrary. AI isn't just a buzzword, it's a force multiplier. In 2025, 80% of UAE venture firms are hunting AI-driven opportunities, backed by over $100 billion in committed funds. We're tapping into this by creating companies that leverage AI for real-world impact: think personalized wealth management platforms that use natural language processing to advise on specific investments, or remittance tools that ensure compliance with UAE regulations automatically.

But we're not building in isolation. ADAI is deeply rooted in the UAE's ecosystem. We will partner with local accelerators, universities like NYU Abu Dhabi, and government bodies to nurture talent. We've seen how initiatives like the UAE's AI Strategy 2031 are positioning the country as a global leader, aiming for AI to contribute 14% to GDP by 2030.

Critics might say the UAE's ecosystem is still nascent compared to Silicon Valley. I'd counter that it's an advantage. Here, you can move fast without the cutthroat competition. Regulations are progressive and let entrepreneurs experiment safely. And the talent pool? It's diverse and hungry, blending expats with local expertise. This melting pot is what makes innovation thrive.

Building ADAI isn't just about our portfolio; it's about elevating the entire UAE tech scene. We're committed to open-sourcing tools, hosting workshops on AI and other trends, and mentoring the next wave of founders. Why? Because ecosystems aren't zero-sum. When one company succeeds, it lifts everyone around itself.

We've already seen enthusiasm from aspiring entrepreneurs in UAE and from abroad. Multiple young entrepreneurs have been ideating with us on multiple ventures and one of them is soon to be announced. Stories like this prove that our studio model in UAE works. But we're realistic: not every idea will hit. That's why we de-risk through rapid prototyping and market validation. As experts in this space, we can tell you, we've failed enough to know that failure, handled right, is the best teacher.

If you're an investor, backing ADAI means access to de-risked, high-potential AI fintech plays in one of the world's fastest-growing markets. We're not chasing unicorns blindly; we're engineering them. Every single step of 0-to-1 journey is replicable and we are applying our learnings to each venture.

If you're a builder, engineer, product lead, or operator - you should join us. We're offering equity, autonomy, and the chance to shape the future. Tired of corporate bureaucracy? Here, you'll build from day one, surrounded by mentors who've been there.

And if you're a founder or partner, let's collaborate. Whether co-building ventures or integrating your tech into ours, ADAI is a platform for amplification. The UAE's rise as a tech hub isn't inevitable, it's built by people like us, taking calculated risks.

In the end, ADAI Capital is more than a studio; it's a movement. We're here because the UAE deserves to lead in AI, not follow. We've got the vision, the expertise, and the drive. Now, we need you. Let's build something amazing, together!

Sagadat and Sergey, Founders of ADAI Capital.