VC React Podcast (E35): Saudi's Humain AI, Nvidia AI Chips, Two New AI Funds, & The New VC Model!

May 15, 2025

Eyad Albayouk, General Manager at Flat6Labs KSA, and Hassan Ikram, Angel Investor and CEO of Cotyledon, delve into Saudi Arabia's ambitious AI initiative, Humane, aimed at elevating the country’s global AI standing. They discuss the launch of two AI-focused venture capital funds to bridge funding gaps in the MENA region and highlight the evolving geopolitical landscape in tech. The conversation also touches on innovative solutions in construction tech and the optimistic outlook for unicorns emerging in Saudi’s rapidly changing market.

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INSIGHT

Saudi's HUMAIN AI Initiative

Saudi Arabia launched HUMAIN, a PIF-owned AI company covering infrastructure to applications to lead globally in AI.
It aims to develop powerful multimodal Arabic LLM models and build innovation hubs for talent and IP.

INSIGHT

State-Led AI Enablement

State-owned AI companies in the GCC fill market gaps where private sector lacks scale and resources.
These initiatives enable the broader ecosystem rather than directly competing with private players.

INSIGHT

AI Infrastructure Secures Investment

Saudi state initiatives address market gaps lacking private sector resources for emerging AI needs.
HUMAIN provides necessary AI infrastructure and data sovereignty, a relief for early-stage investors.

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VC React Podcast:

Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds.

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Hosts:

Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Available on:

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Guests:

1. Eyad Albayouk, General Manager @ Flat6Labs KSA

- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eyad-albayouk/

- VC Firm Website: https://flat6labs.com/

2. Hassan Ikram, Angel Investor, Founder and CEO of Cotyledon, and Founder and Chairman of ThriftPlan

- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassanikram1/

- Website: https://www.cotyledon.sa/

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Sponsors:

💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle.

Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.

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News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.

In Today's Episode:

- Saudi Arabia creates future AI powerhouse called HumainSummary: Saudi Arabia has launched HUMAIN, a PIF-owned AI company designed to operate across the entire AI value chain – from infrastructure to applications. Headquartered in Riyadh and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, HUMAIN will build next-gen data centres, develop a powerful Arabic large language model, and offer AI-native platforms across strategic sectors.

- Trump’s Mideast visit opens floodgate of AI deals led by NvidiaSummary: The Trump administration is clearing export barriers to AI chips for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, enabling both nations to accelerate their AI ambitions. US tech giants – including Nvidia, AMD, Amazon, Cisco, and OpenAI – are unveiling multi-billion-dollar partnerships with Gulf firms like Humain and G42 to build data centers and AI infrastructure.

- Google Backs STV’s $100 Million AI Fund to Enable AI-Native Startups in the Middle East & North AfricaSummary: STV has launched a $100 million AI Fund, backed by Google, to support early-stage AI-native startups across MENA. The fund targets ventures focused on application-layer AI, localized models, and critical infrastructure.

- Saudi-based Wyld VC unveils $50m AI fundSummary: Saudi investor Tala Hasan Al-Jabri has launched Wyld VC, the MENA region’s first AI-native venture capital firm, with a $50 million inaugural fund. Backed by the family office of Lawrence E. Golub, the firm seeks to address the region’s AI talent gap and accelerate innovation across sectors. Al-Jabri, a pioneer in MENA’s tech scene and a former Woman of the Year in Finance, brings a strong track record from startups like Tabby and Starcloud.

- WakeCap closes $28 million investment to expand AI-driven construction solutionsSummary: Saudi Arabia-based contech WakeCap has secured $28 million in new funding at the Saudi-US Investment Forum to expand its services and technologies for improving construction site safety and productivity.

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