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Agility Drives Cloud Acceptance

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Cloud technologies and solutions are gaining trust from almost every industry vertical. This is becoming a mega trend for the enterprise computing. Kamal Bhojwani, Managing Director of Cloudwave Technologies FZE, explained the insights on cloud adoption among the enterprise and SMB segment of the Middle East. Kamal emphasized on the key demands from the market and also expressed his futuristic vision.

Excerpts:

How is the acceptance level of Cloud solutions in the Middle East region?

The growth predictions by major industry analysts suggest cloud uptake is on the rise, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry segment and will continue to make significant gains in the coming few years. In fact, the growth predicted in the Middle East market is higher than developed countries.

Cloud infrastructure is now available locally through regional providers as well as by established international players and is the platform of choice for upcoming infrastructure projects.

Surveys conducted show tight correlation between adoption of the cloud and increase in revenue and profit margin. Enterprises which are still considering their first move,risk losing competitive advantage.

Which are the industry segments that are showing great interest in the cloud based solutions?

Leading industry segments in private sectors are Retail, Technology, Media, Healthcare, BFSI and Education.

Cloud is central in every company’s IT strategy and you will find early adopters in every segment. It’s on every CIO’s agenda to explore how to maximize benefits from cloud technologies.

Cloud-based Services are growing exponentially and this will accelerate consumption by sectors which sparingly use cloud computing today, maybe just for collaboration, communication or sales productivity.

What are the drivers of Cloud computing solution?

For enterprises, Cloud provides business agility to deploy in new markets and also flexibility to conform to local legal, regulatory and compliance guidelines. Enterprises can concentrate on growth and not worry about overcoming resource challenges in terms of systems, technical personnel and datacenter premises.

Cloud is a game changer for SMB segment as it provides a level playing field to compete with large enterprises by giving access to enterprise grade infrastructure and applications. Instant scalability provides computing power to take care of peak workloads and at the same time keeps operational expenses within budget.

New startups benefit from quick deployment and with managed environments they have accessto technical expertise and also save on hiring administrators. Cloud gives flexibility in the choice of computing power and monthly service charges reduce initial investment burden.

Fusion of Business and Technology is happening at a rapid pace. How do you look at the challenges that arose from this fusion? What kind of solutions does your organization offers to such challenges?

Strategic alignment of IT and business is vital to succeed. Enterprises are recognizing how new disruptive technologies have the power to drive business and the importance of CIOs to take center stage and be involved in business strategy.

Initially, it was perceived that business functions could procure cloud solutions without involvement of IT, however this assumption has been laid to rest. Today, IT is in control of selecting cloud technologies as it involves tackling complex issues of security, governance and interoperability.

We provide consultancy services to align IT strategy with business needs. We have the technical expertise to harness cloud technologies, address business challenges and provide competitive advantage.

Do you still experience security as a challenge in the adoption of cloud computing?

Security continues to be the top concern in adoption of cloud computing. Cloud providers are addressing it by complying with various security standards, certifications and showcasing how their operations are geared to ensure data security.

Enterprises moving to the cloud need to put policies and procedures in place, ensure secure access, authentication and identity management, data protection and perform security audits. Organizations can have better control over security if they build their own private cloud.

What are the key business priorities for Cloudwave Technologies?

Our top priority is to establish presence in the region and target growth. Our goal is to provide value to our clients, collaborate with technology and service providers and to expand our Service offerings portfolio.

How do you foresee next one year of business from the perspective of Cloud adoption?

The hype about cloud technologies has now become a reality. Enterprises are no longer talking about cloud strategy they are moving ahead and deploying cloud solutions. Cloud adoption in the next one year will gather momentum and more business functions will move to the cloud.

How do you witness the acceptance of hybrid cloud environment?

Hybrid cloud is inevitable because on one hand there is an urgency to procure cloud-based applications to gain competitive advantage, at the same time there are critical applications for business that are yet to be ported on cloud.

Hybrid cloud environments are ideally suited for business continuity and establishing disaster recovery site in the cloud.

Financial

SemanticPay: Pioneering Seamless AI Transactions for the Agent Economy

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SemanticPay

A cutting-edge AI startup emerges from stealth, announcing the launch of SemanticPay, a groundbreaking solution designed to power the emerging AI agent economy. SemanticPay is set to become the essential infrastructure that enables AI-powered agents to seamlessly transact and create value in the digital world. Developed by a team of AI, FinTech, and Web3 experts, SemanticPay will establish the monetization layer necessary to support autonomous AI agents, positioning itself as the first mover in this transformative space.

The rapid evolution of AI, decreasing compute costs and breakthroughs in AI models like DeepSeek R-1 are democratizing access to powerful AI leading to the proliferation of autonomous “AI agents” – intelligent systems capable of executing complex tasks, optimizing workflows, and unlocking new revenue streams. However, the current internet infrastructure, designed for human interactions, presents significant challenges for AI agents to transact seamlessly. “The internet was built by humans for humans, not agents,” says one of the co-founders of SemanticPay. Challenges arise such as compatibility issues with human-centric systems, regulatory uncertainty that slows adoption rate, restrictive firewalls that misidentify agents as bots, and outdated monetization models not suited for microtransactions.

This is where SemanticPay steps in – building the “Visa for AI” – a comprehensive platform that addresses these challenges and empowers AI agents to become full participants in the digital economy. SemanticPay builds a robust transaction infrastructure that allows AI agents to securely interact, access services, and engage in economic activity. By developing a specialized infrastructure, they will eliminate these constraints and unlock new opportunities for an AI-powered economy.

Key Features of SemanticPay Include:

  • Access: SemanticPay’s Agentic API layer ensures that AI agents can access web services and data sources seamlessly, unlocking new opportunities for interaction and information retrieval.
  • Identity: Traditional internet structures often categorize AI agents as bots, blocking their ability to perform legitimate tasks. Through Agent ID and “Know Your Agent” (KYA) protocols, SemanticPay establishes a secure, compliant framework for transactions, building trust and ensuring regulatory adherence.
  • Payment: The platform will offer optimized payment rails, supporting fiat currencies, stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies for high-frequency, low-value transactions crucial to the AI agent economy.
  • Empowerment: Value-added services such as data analytics, decision-making tools, and access to specialized AI models will enhance the capabilities of AI agents, driving efficiency and growth.

Rooted in the GCC, SemanticPay aims to scale globally, with its team currently having a presence in APAC and Europe. They are building the foundation for a new AI-powered economy that bridges the gap between web operators and AI agent builders – paving the way for a future where these intelligent agents play a vital role in our digital world, driving innovation and creating value for all stakeholders.

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Hasnae Taleb and Jeff Ransdell to Drive Innovation in UAE with a $45 Million to Support UAE Startups

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Mintiply & Fuel Venture

Jeff Ransdell, Managing Director and Founding Partner of Fuel Venture Capital, and Hasnae Taleb, Managing Partner of Mintiply Capital, are making waves in the UAE investment landscape by introducing a $300 million vintage fund. This ambitious initiative dedicates $45 million specifically to fuel the growth of startups within the GCC region. The fund is strategically structured to offer regional investors a rare opportunity to capture exponential returns by backing high-growth ventures before they reach public markets.

The collaboration between Mintiply Capital and Fuel Venture Capital takes the form of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), leveraging both firms’ unmatched expertise in capital markets and venture investments. With decades of collective experience, Ransdell and Taleb are uniquely positioned to guide companies through the critical phases of growth, scaling, and eventual public listings. Their shared vision is built on the understanding that private market investments in pre-IPO companies have the potential to generate immediate returns of up to 200% from day one, presenting a transformative proposition for investors across the UAE and broader GCC region.

The vintage fund provides access to an elite portfolio of high-potential startups backed by Fuel Venture Capital. Notable names include:

            •           Betr – A disruptive sports betting platform co-founded by Jake Paul, integrating real-time engagement with microbetting.

            •           Curve – A fintech innovator providing a single card that aggregates all financial accounts into one seamless experience.

            •           CookUnity – A chef-to-consumer platform redefining meal delivery with curated, gourmet-quality meals.

            •           Novopayment – A fintech infrastructure company driving digital payments innovation across the Americas.

            •           Aexlab – A pioneer in virtual reality gaming and social engagement technologies.

These companies are not just building market-leading products; they are poised to reshape industries and create outsized investment returns when they enter the public markets.

Jeff Ransdell and Hasnae Taleb believe in creating pathways for local investors to participate in the most promising global opportunities. This vintage fund provides GCC-based investors exclusive pre-market access to disruptive businesses that would otherwise remain out of reach until a much later stage.

Jeff Ransdell, founder of Fuel Venture Capital, brings a remarkable career spanning decades in public markets. As a former Managing Director at Merrill Lynch, he led a team responsible for managing a staggering $130 billion in assets for some of the world’s most influential investors. His deep understanding of capital markets, asset management, and scaling high-growth companies provides him with a unique ability to identify and nurture disruptive startups poised for exponential success.

Hasnae Taleb shattered barriers as the youngest equity trader on Wall Street and the first Arab African woman to achieve such recognition in global capital markets. Known for her sharp analytical mind and fearless decision-making, Taleb earned the nickname “Shewolf of Nasdaq” for her unparalleled ability and navigate high-stakes trading scenarios with precision. Now, as Managing Partner of Mintiply Capital, she leverages her expertise in trading, equity markets, and entrepreneurship to build ecosystems that empower innovators and investors alike.

“Both Jeff and I understand what it takes to list companies and the immense value creation that occurs before a company goes public,” said Hasnae Taleb. “We are bringing this opportunity to investors in the region to give them access to exceptional returns and a strategic advantage over traditional investment avenues.”

Jeff Ransdell added, “The GCC market is evolving rapidly, and there’s a growing appetite for sophisticated investment vehicles. This fund delivers exactly that — it empowers investors to support transformative businesses while capturing the kind of returns typically reserved for institutional players.”

The introduction of this vintage fund and the strategic partnership between Mintiply Capital and Fuel Venture Capital reflect a shared commitment to enhancing the financial ecosystem in the UAE and KSA. By supporting visionary entrepreneurs and scaling innovative businesses, the duo aims to foster sustainable economic growth and establish the region as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence and venture capital success.

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SEE Holding and Arabian Gulf Steel Industries Forge Partnership to Advance Sustainable Construction Practices

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SEE Holding & AGSI

SEE Holding, the parent company behind The Sustainable City brand, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI), marking a significant step towards advancing sustainable construction practices in the region. The partnership will prioritize the integration of low carbon steel in future projects, reinforcing SEE Holding’s commitment to selecting sustainable materials to achieve its net zero ambitions. Additionally, both entities will explore opportunities to promote circular economy practices, focusing on recycling and repurposing steel products to minimize waste and environmental impact.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at SEE Institute, SEE Holding’s knowledge partner and the region’s first operational net zero emissions building, underscoring a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.

Faris Saeed, Chairman & CEO of SEE Holding, stated: “Achieving net zero emissions requires a holistic commitment to reducing both embodied and operational emissions across every facet of the built environment. Our partnership with Arabian Gulf Steel Industries reaffirms our dedication to selecting materials that align with our net zero strategy while driving innovation in sustainable cities and communities. Through this collaboration, we aim to inspire transformative change in net zero construction practices across the region, redefining how sustainable infrastructure and cities are designed and built.” The collaboration extends beyond material selection, focusing on research and development (R&D) to innovate and refine techniques that enhance the adoption of low carbon steel in construction processes. Both parties will work together to develop new methodologies that optimize energy efficiency and reduce embodied emissions in building projects.

Asam Hussain, the AGSI’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The partnership with SEE Holding represents a significant step forward by driving sustainable transformation in construction practices in the UAE. Our collaboration will ensure that we structurally embed demand for low-carbon materials to seize the opportunity of accelerating decarbonization of the hard-to-abate sector. Together, we are advancing environmental sustainability and driving positive economic and social impact.”

AGSI is the World’s first Carbon Neutral Steel Plant and Low Carbon Steel Manufacturing Facility based in the UAE. The company is pioneering low carbon products play a critical role in decarbonizing not only the steel industry but also the built environment. By incorporating 100% recycled low carbon steel SEE Holding aims to significantly reduce embodied emissions while maintaining the highest standards of durability and strength required for modern construction. AGSI’s state-of-the-art facilities are designed to minimize waste and energy consumption, aligning seamlessly with SEE Holding’s ethos of responsible urban development.

AGSI has also signed the Memorandum of Understanding with SEE Institute with a shared vision of advancing knowledge. Both companies will work together to introduce training programs targeted at architects, engineers, and construction professionals to raise awareness of low carbon steel benefits and foster its adoption across the sector. The partnership will also prioritize performance monitoring, implementing robust reporting mechanisms to track environmental impact, measure emission reductions, and enhance project transparency.

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