Dubai-based artificial intelligence company 1001 has raised AED 110.18 ($30) million in Series A funding. The company will use the investment to expand its sovereign AI platform for Gulf industries. Lux Capital led the funding round. Sanabil Investments, General Catalyst, 9Yards, Hanabi, CIV, Stanford researcher Chris Ré, and other angel investors also joined the round. The company plans to grow its engineering team and strengthen its technology.
Founded in 2025 by Bilal Abu Ghazaleh, 1001 is building an AI operating system designed to help organizations manage complex operations in real time. The platform connects with existing enterprise systems instead of replacing them. It creates a digital model of an organization’s assets, workflows, and operational processes.
The system can identify possible issues before they affect operations. It can also recommend actions or carry out responses based on operational requirements. The company is focusing on industries such as aviation, ports, logistics, energy, and manufacturing. These sectors rely on large-scale infrastructure where faster decision-making can improve efficiency and reliability.
The investment reflects the growing interest in AI systems developed for regional infrastructure needs. Companies and governments are placing higher focus on technology that provides control over data and AI operations. Lux Capital’s Deena Shakir said 1001 shows that AI solutions for critical infrastructure can be developed and governed within the GCC rather than sourced from outside markets.
The company’s platform allows organizations to maintain ownership of their data and AI systems. This approach is becoming an important factor for businesses adopting AI in sensitive operational environments.
The latest investment follows 1001’s AED 33 ($9) million seed funding round in October 2025. It comes as artificial intelligence adoption expands across Gulf economies. Research firm McKinsey estimates that AI could contribute AED 550 ($150) billion to GCC economies. The estimate reflects the region’s push to integrate AI into major economic sectors.
For industrial companies, the focus is shifting towards AI systems that support real-time decisions and operational management. With the new funding, 1001 aims to strengthen its platform and expand its role in the region’s growing AI ecosystem.
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