UAE based startup KNOT Technologies has raised $1 million in a pre seed funding round to advance its work in robotics and intelligent automation, as regional investment in industrial AI and smart systems continues to grow.
UAE based technology startup KNOT Technologies has closed a $1 million pre seed investment round, providing early capital to support the development of its robotics and intelligent automation technology as it prepares for pilot deployments and early commercial engagement. The funding marks one of the company’s first external investment milestones as it builds its product stack within the region’s expanding industrial and AI ecosystem.
Founded by a team of engineers with experience across robotics systems, machine learning, and industrial automation, KNOT Technologies is focused on developing software driven robotics solutions designed for enterprise and industrial use cases. The company’s platform targets automation in environments such as logistics facilities, warehouses, and industrial operations, where demand for adaptive robotics has increased as businesses seek to improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
The pre-seed funding will be used to accelerate core product development, expand engineering capacity, and support early proof of concept deployments with potential enterprise customers in the UAE and wider Gulf region. According to regional startup ecosystem trackers such as MAGNiTT, early stage funding rounds at the pre seed and seed level continue to form a significant share of new venture activity across the UAE, particularly in AI driven enterprise technologies.
KNOT Technologies’ raise comes against a backdrop of rising global investment in robotics and automation. According to data from International Federation of Robotics, global robot installations exceeded 500,000 units annually, with logistics and industrial automation representing some of the fastest growing segments. Market research firm IDC estimates that worldwide spending on robotics and related automation technologies is expected to surpass $300 billion by the end of the decade, driven by enterprise digital transformation and supply-chain optimisation initiatives.
Within the Middle East, governments and private investors have increasingly prioritised advanced manufacturing and AI enabled infrastructure. The UAE’s national AI strategy and smart industry programmes have helped position the country as a regional hub for emerging technologies, supporting startups working on robotics, autonomous systems, and intelligent software platforms. Initiatives such as UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and government backed innovation hubs have played a role in encouraging early stage investment across these sectors.
Comparable early stage robotics and automation startups globally have followed similar funding trajectories, using pre seed capital to validate technology before progressing to larger seed and Series A rounds. Companies such as Covariant and Locus Robotics, which later raised significant venture funding, began with focused pilots targeting logistics and warehouse automation, underscoring the importance of early technical validation in the sector.
As KNOT Technologies moves forward from its pre seed stage, the company joins a growing cohort of UAE based startups operating at the intersection of AI, robotics, and industrial automation. The funding provides runway to refine its technology and engage with early partners as demand for intelligent automation continues to rise across regional and global markets.
