The latest chapter of the DarE accelerator program successfully concluded at the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference, marking a significant moment for the third cohort of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) innovators. The graduation event, co-hosted by Dar Ventures and Acasia Group (a subsidiary of Sultan Ventures), provided a high-momentum platform for the founders to connect with the regional investment ecosystem.
High-Octane Speed Match Propels Investment Pathways
A highlight of the evening was the exclusive DarE Speed Match session, which facilitated direct and focused conversations between the Cohort III founders and over 20 regional investors and ecosystem champions. This format was designed to move quickly beyond introductions, translating potential interest into tangible next steps for collaboration, scaling strategies, and securing investment. The gathering, which included prominent figures like Faisal Almalki, COO of Msheireb Properties, underscored the strong institutional support for AEC technology innovation in Qatar and the wider MENA region.
A New Wave of AEC Innovators Unveiled
The Cohort III startups, alongside one DarE alum, were celebrated for demonstrating significant grit, clarity, and market momentum. These companies represent the leading edge of technology poised to reshape the built environment, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.
Featured Cohort III Startups:
- acwme: An e-commerce platform for construction and architectural products.
- AKYAS Sanitation: A developer of modular, scalable, and sustainable wastewater systems.
- Hlul AI: An AI-driven solution provider. (Specific application details were not provided, but Hlul suggests an AI focus).
- nfrti X: Focuses on Industrial AIoT Analytics, particularly for rotating equipment fault detection and prognostics.
- Oblix Tech: Powers a construction engine with LLM AI agents for real-time progress tracking and insights, marketed as O-Build.
- Pulse IoT Technologies: Utilizes IoT and AI with concrete sensors to monitor the structural health of civil structures.
- Rumett: Develops sustainable plasterboards by incorporating mineral waste, offering superior fire resistance and efficiency.
- BuildHop (Alum): An on-demand building procurement platform for construction materials.
About Dar Ventures and Acasia Group
Dar Ventures is the venture capital arm of Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and partners), a world-class design and engineering consultancy and the founder of the award-winning top 10 international design firm, Sidara. Its mission is to empower innovators and researchers to deliver exceptional solutions that reimagine the AEC industry as more efficient, sustainable, and resilient.
Acasia Group is a leading investing and impact platform that invests in, supports, and empowers the next generation of technology entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Africa. Established in 2011, Acasia Group (formerly The Cairo Angels) operates out of offices in Cairo, Dubai, and Lagos, serving as a pillar of the regional startup ecosystem.
Source: The Acasia Group
