Doha, Qatar: Rawdat Capital, a Qatar-based venture capital firm focused on artificial intelligence and deep technology investment between China, the GCC, and the wider MENA region, announced exclusive co-investment partnerships for AI-related cross-regional investment between in China and MENA with Sinovation Ventures, one of China’s leading technology-focused venture capital firms, and collaboration with 01.AI, a leading artificial intelligence company founded by Dr Kai-Fu Lee.
The partnerships mark a major step in Rawdat Capital’s strategy to build a dedicated China–MENA AI and deep technology investment platform, connecting high-growth Chinese technology companies with capital, commercial partnerships, and expansion opportunities across the GCC.
Founded in 2009 by Dr Kai-Fu Lee, former President of Google China and a globally recognised AI pioneer, Sinovation Ventures manages approximately USD 3 billion in assets across 12 funds and has backed more than 400 technology companies. The firm is widely recognised for its “VC + AI” model, which combines venture capital investment with in-house AI expertise, operational support, talent development, and market access.
Through the exclusive partnership, Rawdat Capital will gain proprietary co-investment exposure across Sinovation’s cross-regional AI pipeline and portfolio investments between China and MENA, privileged access to early- and growth-stage deep technology opportunities, and the ability to jointly support the incubation and regional expansion of AI ventures into the GCC and wider MENA region.
As part of the collaboration, Dr Kai-Fu Lee will chair Rawdat Capital’s Advisory Committee, providing strategic guidance on investment discipline, technological relevance, global AI trends, and access to leading innovators, investors, and potential exit partners.
Rawdat Capital has also entered into an agreement with 01.AI for the GCC region. Founded by Dr Lee in 2023, 01.AI develops advanced large language models and enterprise AI solutions that support the adoption of generative AI across industries. The agreement will support the regional introduction of 01.AI’s capabilities and create opportunities for collaboration with enterprises, institutions, and technology partners across the Gulf.
Together, the partnerships position Rawdat Capital at the centre of one of the world’s fastest-growing AI value chains, combining access to China’s leading AI founders and companies with regional capital, market knowledge, and expansion capability.
“Rawdat Capital was created to build a bridge between China’s most advanced AI and deep technology ecosystem and the GCC’s rapidly growing demand for transformative technologies,” Dalya Al Khalaf, Co-Founder of Rawdat Capital, said. “Our exclusive partnerships with Sinovation Ventures and collaboration with 01.AI give us direct access to world-class AI expertise, proprietary investment opportunities, and the ability to support the regional expansion of companies shaping the future of artificial intelligence.”
“China is producing some of the world’s most important AI and deep technology companies, while the GCC is investing with ambition and speed in the future of digital transformation,” said Dr Kai-Fu Lee, Founder of Sinovation Ventures and 01.AI. “Through this collaboration with Rawdat Capital, we see a strong opportunity to connect innovation, capital, and market access between China and the region.”
The announcement follows Rawdat Capital’s wider expansion of its China–MENA technology investment platform, including strategic partnerships designed to strengthen its access to proprietary AI, deep technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, enterprise software, and digital infrastructure opportunities.
