Saudi Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures backs Ori to drive edge AI expansion in Middle East

The investment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to advance technology and innovation, focusing on AI infrastructure localization and talent development.

Ori recently became one of the UK’s first companies to deploy Nvidia’s H200 GPU chips, positioning itself as a leader in AI infrastructure globally and at the edge for industries where real-time AI processing is crucial (e.g., oil & gas, smart cities, healthcare, and autonomous systems).

Wa’ed Ventures aims to empower transformative tech startups and has previously invested in companies like AI chipmaker Rebellions and real estate fintech Stake. The partnership will enable Ori to scale its AI infrastructure services in the Middle East and provide cutting-edge solutions to Wa’ed Ventures’ AI portfolio companies. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Saudi Aramco’s VC fund Wa’ed Ventures as a strategic investor in Ori. This partnership not only provides us with the resources to scale faster into the Middle East, but also aligns with our vision to provide end-to-end AI infrastructure for innovators and businesses around the world,” says Mahdi Yahya, CEO of Ori.

Ori’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, backed by Wa’ed Ventures, signals a major investment in AI infrastructure that will indirectly fuel edge computing growth. With more AI workloads shifting to the region, expect a rise in edge deployments, AI-powered applications, and localized AI processing—all crucial for industries where real-time insights drive competitive advantage.

Wa’ed Ventures, established in 2013, manages a portfolio of 75+ startups and focuses on fostering economic diversification and tech innovation in Saudi Arabia.

Article Topics

AI infrastructure  |  AI/ML  |  Aramco  |  funding  |  GPU  |  Ori  |  Wa’ed Ventures