The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund has issued an AED 1.5 million credit guarantee to Dubai-founded UAE GovTech AI startup 01Gov, supporting the company’s push to scale its agentic AI platform for government clients.
The guarantee will help fund the development of 01Gov’s AI system, One. The platform supports public sector organizations with smarter digital tools. It also offers benchmarking, trend tracking, idea generation, and access to global best practices.
Founded in Dubai in 2013, 01Gov builds cloud-based solutions for government entities. Its platform is available online and through mobile apps. Public sector professionals use the tools to improve planning, innovation, and service delivery.
01Gov to Expand Agentic AI Platform for Government Services
The new MBRIF-backed guarantee is expected to accelerate 01Gov’s work on agentic AI, a fast-growing area of artificial intelligence where systems can perform tasks, make decisions, and assist users with more autonomy than traditional software.
01Gov’s agentic AI system, One, sits at the center of the company’s product roadmap. The platform is designed to help government agencies work more efficiently, gain insights and make better decisions across public sector workflows.
Moreover, the funding will further enhance 01Gov’s capability to serve its existing government clients as the UAE continues to expand its national AI transformation agenda.
Why This Matters for the UAE’s AI Strategy
The UAE has been moving fast to embed artificial intelligence into government services. In April 2026, the UAE Cabinet approved a framework to implement agentic AI in 50 percent of federal government sectors, services and operations within two years.
This gives the MBRIF guarantee more than just monetary value. It demonstrates that the UAE is starting to support innovative startups through government-backed innovation programs to help them achieve the country’s AI-first public sector vision.
The potential for startups such as 01Gov is clear. As government agencies search for AI partners, companies with public sector experience and Arabic-language AI capabilities may be well-placed for growth.
What Is MBRIF?
The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund is a UAE Ministry of Finance initiative operated by Emirates Development Bank. The Guarantee Scheme provides innovative companies with government-backed debt finance rather than equity.
The program is part of the UAE’s broader drive to foster innovation, economic diversification and sustainable development. MBRIF has been supporting innovators since 2016 and its Accelerator program has been running since 2018.
01Gov’s Government-Focused AI Platform
01Gov was founded by a leadership team with direct UAE government experience. The company develops tools that help public sector professionals track global trends, benchmark performance, generate ideas, manage innovation labs, and support continuous learning.
Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri leads the company’s AI development. He specializes in artificial intelligence and future foresight. CEO Ibrahim Ahmed El Badawi brings extensive public sector experience, giving the company deep insight into government needs and processes.
UAE GovTech AI Startup Sector Accelerates
The MBRIF guarantee comes as the United Arab Emirates is fast-tracking its use of AI in public infrastructure. The country has already deployed AI agents in areas such as procurement, tax auditing, customer happiness and technical support.
The UAE has also been developing AI-powered regulatory intelligence systems to speed up the law-making process and boost government efficiency.
On the other hand, 01Gov’s investment signals growing momentum for the GovTech ecosystem. It could encourage more AI startups to build solutions for government use cases. As agentic AI drives public sector transformation, startups with both technical expertise and government knowledge will play a bigger role.
The Bigger Picture
The AED 1.5 million guarantee from MBRIF signals strong support for AI-powered government services in the UAE. While the amount is modest, the message is clear. The UAE is backing local companies that can help shape the future of AI in federal operations.
As the country expands its use of agentic AI, 01Gov’s platform may reflect a broader shift toward smarter, faster and more responsive public services.
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