1001 AI, founded by former Scale AI executive Bilal Abu-Ghazaleh, secures $9M seed from CIV, General Catalyst, and Lux Capital to modernize physical operations across the Gulf.
1001 AI, a Dubai- and London-based startup founded by Scale AI alum Bilal Abu-Ghazaleh, has raised $9 million in seed funding to develop decision-making AI for mission-critical industries across the Middle East and North Africa. The round was co-led by CIV, General Catalyst, and Lux Capital, with participation from global and regional angels including Chris Ré, Amjad Masad (Replit), Amira Sajwani (DAMAC), Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud (RAED Ventures), and Hisham Alfalih (Lean Technologies).
Founded just two months ago, 1001 AI is building an AI-native operating system that automates decision-making in sectors such as aviation, logistics, oil & gas, and construction, industries that collectively face over $10 billion in annual inefficiencies across the Gulf.
“Just looking at airports, ports, construction, and oil and gas, the opportunity is massive” said Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and CEO. “Even small efficiency gains can save millions and change how these industries operate.”
The startup’s platform ingests real-time operational data, models workflows, and autonomously issues directives, rerouting vehicles, reassigning crews, or adjusting schedules, to improve throughput and reduce costs. Its early deployments aim to show measurable savings in sectors where most AI tools remain underutilized.
Deena Shakir, partner at Lux Capital, said: “We’re extremely bullish on AI that solves physical-world problems at scale—optimizing how airports turn around flights, how ports move cargo, and how construction sites operate. The MENA region offers unmatched potential for this transformation.”
Abu-Ghazaleh brings experience from Scale AI, where he led GenAI operations and scaled global annotation networks. 1001 AI’s model blends that operational rigor with a hands-on consulting approach, embedding its team within clients to co-develop tailored systems.
The company plans to launch its first product by year’s end, beginning with construction, followed by aviation and logistics. The new funding will accelerate hiring across engineering, operations, and go-to-market, as 1001 AI positions itself as the Gulf’s orchestration layer for industrial operations before expanding globally.