Botim AI is a chat assistant designed to elevate user engagement and interaction, offering free, seamless access to cutting-edge features directly within the Ultra App. Users will benefit from intelligent, AI-driven conversations and assistance across various areas, including productivity, education, research, and everyday problem-solving.

H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Board Member and CEO of Astra Tech, commented: “The launch of Botim AI marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionize digital communication in the MENA region. By integrating advanced AI capabilities, we are enhancing user experiences and setting new standards for intelligent, seamless interactions. This innovation underscores our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of our users, while advancing our mission to deliver more inclusive solutions that empower individuals from all demographics and enable frictionless engagement with our solutions.”

The AI currently supports chat-based interactions, with enhancements such as web search capabilities and action-based integration planned for future phases.

As part of its strategic evolution, Botim is advancing toward the deployment of executional AI, enabling users to complete tasks in their native language with ease. This innovation meets the growing demand for inclusive AI solutions that ensure seamless, accessible interactions, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to engage effortlessly with the Ultra App.

Botim AI represents a significant step forward in the evolution of communication apps in the MENA region, offering users a smarter, more interactive way to connect and engage.

Easily accessible from the landing page, Explore, and Search sections of the app, Botim AI allows current users to simply update to the latest version to access these new features directly on the landing page. Additionally, users can securely save chat history for future reference and have the option to delete past conversations for privacy and control.

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The financing is among the largest provided to a UAE fintech company to date, representing a significant step in enhancing financial innovation across the region. It reflects Quantix’s positive financial performance, strong balance sheet, fast growing and diverse portfolio of lending products.

Quantix, the first UAE-based fintech to receive a Finance Company License from Central Bank of U.A.E since 2008, will use the funds to expand its range of financial services. This financing will support Quantix’s growth and solidify Astra Tech as a leading fintech innovator in the Middle East.

This milestone reinforces Astra Tech’s vision for its Ultra app, a platform transforming how users access essential services. The Ultra app integrates services such as payments, Cross Border Transfer, and financing solutions into a seamless ecosystem. With over 150 million users globally, Astra Tech is poised to deliver a frictionless financial experience, connecting consumers to a full suite of services within a single app—a first in the region.

H.E Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Board Member and Managing Director of Astra Tech, stated: “The fintech sector is undergoing a rapid transformation, attracting significant global investment. The GCC, and particularly the UAE, continues to exhibit strong growth despite global macroeconomic challenges. This financing from Citi allows Quantix and AstraTech to expand the Ultra app ecosystem, offering users a seamless financial experience. Our vision is to build an all-in-one platform that simplifies and empowers consumers’ financial decisions—whether it’s securing loans or managing everyday finances. This is just the beginning, as we continue to scale and redefine the future of financial services in the region.”

Maria Ivanova, Citi Country Officer and Banking Head for the UAE, added: “We are excited to support Quantix’s impressive growth. Astra Tech’s innovative approach and dedication to bridging technology and finance have set a new standard in the region. We are also impressed by the exceptional work of Astra Tech’s team, whose expertise and leadership have been instrumental in executing this landmark deal.”

Since its inception, Astra Tech has evolved from an emerging tech company into a dominant force in fintech. Its diverse portfolio, including PayBy, Botim, and Rizek, has transformed how users in the region engage with technology. Astra Tech’s dedication to financial innovation, innovation, and user experience has propelled its growth from a start-up to the fintech powerhouse in the region, driven by a mission to empower people through technology.

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As part of the platform, key industry stakeholders and thought leaders from across Plug and Play Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem will define tech challenges and innovation bottlenecks to be solved by startups as part of accelerator programmes and bespoke challenges. Plug and Play Abu Dhabi will also help to accelerate deployment of innovative pilots, tech integrations and new products.

The first-of-its-kind platform has been designed to boost Abu Dhabi’s industrial innovation capabilities and attract high-calibre tech startups to the emirate. It seeks to establish a stronger, unified marketplace and forum to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across major industrial entities and exceptional technology startups, bringing real value and solutions in areas such as Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, Storage, Telecommunications, Maintenance, Mobility, Logistics, Energy, Construction and Real Estate.

The joint effort between Plug and Play Abu Dhabi and ADIO is a part of a larger partnership agreement that focuses on enhancing the innovation scope in the region by accelerating opportunities for startups. The UAE has launched a new industrial strategy to increase contribution of the manufacturing sector from Dh133 billion to Dh300 billion in the national economy over the next 10 years, and this programme strives to support the vision by establishing a sustainable and open innovation platform for Industry 4.0 innovators. The open innovation platform further encourages ambitious projects, better policies, real economic value and global thought leadership.

H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Director General of ADIO, said “The incredible progress that Abu Dhabi has made over the past decades can be traced to our ambition of driving progress through innovation. We want to support the startups and companies that are contributing to real and lasting change through the development of cutting-edge technologies and solutions. The open innovation platform will harness the power of collaboration to shape a brighter future on a global scale.”

“The inherent strengths of Abu Dhabi make it a perfect fit for an Industry 4.0 open innovation platform,” said Babak Ahmadzadeh, Director of Plug and Play Abu Dhabi. “The size, diversity and mindset of the industrial players in Abu Dhabi can be a powerful leverage to attract world-class tech startups to the emirate through collaboration opportunities yielding real business, co-creation and investments. This unique B2B tech startup market creation focused on Industry 4.0 will empower the emirate and the UAE to adopt transformative technology which can substantially increase productivity and competitiveness in many key sectors such as Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy, Food Security and Mobility.”

He added, “We are excited to play the long-term game focused on real value creation and sustainable organic growth with this Industry 4.0 open innovation and tech accelerator program. And whatever we build is designed and developed by our local private and public sector partners, for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. That has always been a bedrock to our approach. Tech adoption and digital transformation is a step-by-step process that requires a collaborative community. Above all, we at Plug and Play know we can support this tech transformation, as we have achieved it in 40+ countries every year through our 60+ programs working with 400+ of the most innovative corporations and government entities in the world.”

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Hailed as a major boost to the UAE’s vibrant startup ecosystem, Microsoft’s GrowthX Accelerator – announced in January and opened for registrations in May – is part of a larger strategic partnership between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Microsoft to accelerate opportunities in the emirate for startups.

“Startups catalyse innovation and pioneer technologies that have the potential to create positive and lasting societal impact,” said H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Director General of ADIO. “Recognising the advantages offered by startups, Abu Dhabi creates a nurturing environment for these businesses as they develop their ideas, and acts as a launchpad for their growth, both locally and globally. As founding partner of GrowthX Accelerator, we are excited to work with Microsoft to bring startups and corporations together, unlocking opportunities for innovative businesses at all stages of growth.”

The GrowthX Accelerator will include virtual and physical workshops and training sessions, as well as a series of VC demo days, corporate access days, and networking events where startups can showcase their visions to venture capitalists and Microsoft’s regional customers. For the first cohort, which will be running from August to November, Microsoft will recruit 15 startups from across the region that solve the corporate challenges of its partners.

Microsoft for Startups has already announced that Etihad Airways, Unilever, Akbank, and KPMG will be participating in the first cohort as Corporate Engagement Partners, with a few more partner announcements to come. The program will recruit specialised B2B startups to work with these partners directly for the duration of the program, to ultimately co-create technology solutions that address the corporate partners’ challenges.

“GrowthX Accelerator empowers B2B startups with the technology, mentoring and market access they need to thrive in the new global digital economy,” said Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups, MEA. “Across the region, Microsoft sees customers eager for innovative solutions that will empower them to compete. Our work with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office on GrowthX Accelerator is set to transform Abu Dhabi and the region into a global hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”

To apply now or find out more about the Microsoft for Startups GrowthX Accelerator program, B2B startups in Abu Dhabi and the UAE can visit here.

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The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and ADQ today announced a new collaboration to further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s digital economy and start-up ecosystem, including transferring the Ventures Fund, a flagship Ghadan 21 initiative, to ADQ.

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