Oman-based venture capital firm Phaze Ventures has announced its participation in an investment round for Metal, a US-based AI startup building a comprehensive platform for managing capital raises. The investment amount was not disclosed, with the Omani VC joining a lineup of prominent global investors backing the new company.
Quick Facts
- Investor: Oman’s Phaze Ventures.
- Startup: US-based Metal, founded in 2024.
- Platform: An AI-powered system for startup fundraising.
An AI Co-Pilot for Capital Raises
Metal is developing what it describes as a fully integrated operating system for the often chaotic process of raising startup funding. The platform aims to replace the traditional reliance on manual spreadsheets and scattered data by combining investor discovery, relationship management, deal tracking, meeting preparation, and fundraising strategy into a single, AI-driven system.
The company is tackling one of the most complex stages of company building by using AI to streamline and improve efficiency in connecting with investors and managing the funding pipeline.
Metal has already attracted support from major players in the global VC ecosystem, including Y Combinator and a16z Speedrun. Other investors and partners are Indus Valley Capital, Rebel Fund, and Techstars. The platform also has early traction, with over 100 founders from Y Combinator’s network signed on as paying customers.
Phaze Ventures Bets on AI for Private Capital Markets
For Phaze Ventures, the investment in Metal aligns with its strategy of backing AI-powered solutions that automate complex operations within private capital markets. The firm noted that fundraising processes still heavily depend on disconnected and outdated tools, presenting a clear opportunity for technological improvement.
“Investing in Metal highlights the importance of building intelligent infrastructure for financing operations,” said Abdullah Al-Shaksy, Co-founder and CEO of Phaze Ventures. “Raising capital is one of the most critical stages in an entrepreneur’s journey, and new AI-based tools can significantly improve accuracy and speed in these processes.”
Metal was founded by Osman Gul, who previously raised over $120 million for his first company and was part of the early teams at scale-ups like DoorDash and Marqeta. This experience gives him direct insight into the challenges founders face during fundraising.
Phaze Ventures believes the future of startup operations will increasingly see AI become a fundamental layer for complex functions, including capital management, moving beyond separate tools to more integrated systems. Metal aims to build this intelligent infrastructure, enabling founders to execute funding rounds with greater speed and precision.
About Phaze Ventures
Phaze Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Oman that invests in early-stage disruptive technology companies across the globe. The firm focuses on backing ambitious founders and technologies that are set to redefine their respective industries.
About Metal
Founded in 2024, Metal is an AI-powered platform designed to be an operating system for startup fundraising. The company provides founders with a unified system to manage investor discovery, outreach, relationship management, and deal flow, aiming to make capital raising more efficient and data-driven.
Source: Fintechgate
