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Think closes MENA’s largest AI infrastructure pre-seed round at over $8 million

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Co-Led by RAED Ventures and Wa’ed Ventures, with participation from Dhahran Techno Valley’s Venture Capital arm and strategic angelsFunding will accelerate the deployment of Think’s integrated hardware and orchestration platform, designed to reduce the cost and complexity of AI

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Think, the Saudi-based company building a new generation of intelligent, unified hardware and software infrastructure for artificial intelligence, today announced it has raised over $8 million in pre-seed funding, marking the largest AI infrastructure and deeptech pre-seed round in MENA to date.

The round is being co-led by RAED Ventures and Wa’ed Ventures, with participation from Dhahran Techno Valley’s Venture Capital arm and strategic angel investors. The capital will support team expansion, manufacturing scale-up, product development, and international growth initiatives as Think rapidly accelerates deployments across Saudi Arabia and expands its presence across the GCC and selected global markets.

Think is focused on solving the next major challenge in AI adoption by reducing the cost and complexity of AI infrastructure while dramatically improving efficiency. Its technology combines high-density, liquid-cooled multi-GPU compute nodes with proprietary bare-metal orchestration software, enabling companies of any size to deploy AI models more efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively while maximising all available compute capacity.

Think was founded by Ahmed AlSharif, a technology leader whose career includes senior roles at Meta, Sony PlayStation Europe and EA Games, alongside enterprise technology veteran Ammar Enaya, whose career spans leadership positions at Cisco, HPE Aruba and Vectra AI.

“As the industry moves beyond the race for bigger models and larger data centres, a new age of efficiency is beginning,” said CEO Ahmed AlSharif. “AI infrastructure today is expensive, inefficient, and increasingly difficult to scale. Think exists to help organisations do more with the compute they already have, offering an alternative to the industry’s current obsession with bigger, faster and more expensive.”

Think’s approach combines proprietary AI Node hardware with ILM, a software orchestration layer designed to maximise GPU utilisation, lower token costs, and reduce the overall cost of deploying AI. In production benchmark testing, the platform achieved sustained GPU utilisation of more than 90%, compared with industry averages of 30–50%, with a per-million-token cost that’s almost 10x lower than the average cost of using frontier models from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

This is all achieved using existing, widely available GPUs, and doesn’t require proprietary or specialist inference hardware. The platform will soon support mixed-vendor and specialist inferencing silicon working in tandem for both inferencing and training.

With Saudi Arabia accelerating its ambitions to become a global leader in artificial intelligence, the firm is building what it describes as the engine room of the AI era: the integrated infrastructure layer that powers secure, efficient, and sovereign AI deployments across the Kingdom and the wider GCC.

The company is already engaged in multiple proofs of concept, production deployments, and strategic partnerships across Saudi Arabia, including participation in the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving AI ecosystem alongside initiatives such as HUMAIN.

“Our customers want the benefits of AI without the spiralling costs, security concerns, and dependence associated with hyperscale cloud providers,” said Ammar Enaya, co-founder of Think. “We’re seeing strong demand from enterprises, start-ups and government organisations looking for infrastructure that delivers the performance they need, with an approach that gives them total control and ownership.”

The funding brings together investors who share Think’s belief that the next generation of AI will be defined not only by more powerful models, but by more efficient, sovereign and economically sustainable infrastructure.

Wael Nafee, General Partner, RAED Ventures: “The next generation of AI leaders will be defined not only by the models they build, but by the infrastructure that makes AI practical, affordable and sovereign. Think is tackling one of AI’s biggest challenges with technology that improves efficiency while giving organisations greater control over their AI capabilities. We believe the team is building a category-defining company from Saudi Arabia with global potential.”

The funding round comes as organisations worldwide seek alternatives to traditional AI deployment models amid rising GPU costs, increasing concerns around data sovereignty, and growing pressure to both improve the economics and reduce the environmental impact of AI. Think’s integrated approach combines hardware, software, and cooling technologies into a single platform that can be deployed across data centres, offices, laboratories, and edge environments.

Eng. Anas Algahtani, CEO, Wa’ed Ventures: “Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity not only to adopt AI, but to build the infrastructure that powers it. Think is resolving one of the industry’s biggest challenges by making AI deployment more efficient, scalable and sovereign, and we’re proud to support its next stage of growth.”

Faizan Baig, Chief Investment Officer, Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV): “Sovereign and efficient AI infrastructure is foundational to every country’s AI ambitions. Think is tackling one of the sector’s most pressing challenges by helping organisations deploy and scale AI while maintaining control over cost, security and data.”

With the funding now secured, Think plans to accelerate commercial deployments across Saudi Arabia while expanding its platform and international presence. The company plans to expand across the GCC over the next 18 months while accelerating development of ILM as a standalone software platform, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global hub for next-generation AI infrastructure.

About Think

Think is dedicated to making AI superintelligence affordable, efficient, and accessible to everyone. Think’s unified approach to AI infrastructure combines intelligent software with high-performance hardware to address the most critical technical bottlenecks in AI deployments today, including cooling, power efficiency, and GPU utilisation.

Think was created to empower organisations, enterprises, and governments to achieve true AI sovereignty with full security and data privacy, without relying on traditional data centres or cloud dependencies.

Founded by games industry veteran Ahmed AlSharif (formerly of PlayStation, EA, and Meta) and seasoned technology leader Ammar Enaya (formerly of Cisco and HPE), Think is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

About RAED Ventures

RAED Ventures is a MENA-focused venture capital firm with over $550 million in assets under management. Founded in 2015, RAED Ventures partners with exceptional founders across MENA from seed to growth stages, backing category-defining technology companies and helping them scale into regional and global market leaders.

About Wa’ed Ventures

Wa’ed Ventures is a $500 million institutional venture capital firm wholly owned by Aramco to promote economic diversification and new business growth in the Kingdom by investing in high-growth tech startups across multiple sectors. Established in 2013, Wa’ed Ventures manages a portfolio of 100+ startups, providing end-to-end support to startups from funding to providing access to partner resources. The company is located in the city of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. For more information, please visit: https://www.waed.com/

About Dhahran Techno Valley

Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) is Saudi Arabia’s emerging hub for deep-tech innovation, bringing together world-class research, industry, capital, and entrepreneurship. Anchored by King Fahd University (KFUPM), DTV is home to more than 15 multi-national research centres and 65 deep-tech startups, and collaborates with more than 20 Fortune Global 500 companies to accelerate the commercialisation of breakthrough technologies. DTV’s newly established venture capital arm operates as an independent investment vehicle, backing high-potential local and international deep-tech startups while creating pathways for their expansion into the regional market. Visit dtv.sa for more information.

For more information, visit www.think-ai.com.

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SOURCE Think

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Media join forces to shape shared narrative

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Alliance: Mutual learning among civilizations promoted

KUNMING, China, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily Asia Pacific:

Dinh Thuy Dung, a bilingual Vietnamese broadcaster, owes her career to the influence of Chinese culture. The young woman, who hails from a small Vietnamese village, said she learned Chinese because of a pop song.

“It was the first time I felt the charm of the Chinese language, and it sparked my desire to learn Chinese,” she said on Tuesday while addressing the audience at the South and Southeast Asian Media Network Annual Meeting 2026 in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.

“After choosing to learn Chinese, I was able to participate in exchange programs and travel. … I became a Vietnamese-Chinese bilingual broadcaster.”

At work, Dung found a purpose larger than herself. “I could introduce Vietnam’s culture, landscape and people to Chinese audiences,” she said. “At the same time, I could bring China’s culture and stories back to my Vietnamese friends.”

Her career embodies the very cooperation that media professionals from across South and Southeast Asia have gathered at the Kunming meeting to advance.

Representatives of more than 170 media outlets, news organizations and think tanks from the region attended the annual meeting of the network that was launched in 2024.

The network was initiated by the Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia and China Daily Asia Pacific.

Zeng Yan, head of the publicity department of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that amid accelerating global changes and rising uncertainties, China remains committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity and contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to address global challenges and advance a more just and reasonable international order.

She highlighted the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, saying that they provide guidance for responding to global challenges and promoting international cooperation.

Zeng noted that over the past three years, the regional media network had expanded its membership, improved its mechanisms, established a liaison office, released annual work plans and promoted practical cooperation.

She said that Yunnan is closely connected with South and Southeast Asian countries by geography, people-to-people ties and shared cultural links, creating many stories worth telling and sharing.

She called for cooperation in artificial intelligence-assisted news production, multilingual intelligent translation, cross-platform distribution, short-video production and data journalism, so that authentic, diverse and warm regional content could be produced more efficiently and have more precise reach and broader dissemination.

Over 20 pacts signed

More than 20 cooperation agreements were signed during the annual meeting, covering joint production, tourism promotion, academic exchanges and youth programs, with the aim of creating flagship projects with regional identity and international influence.

At the meeting, Zhu Baoxia, deputy publisher of China Daily, underscored the alliance’s growth and ambition.

“It has built an important platform for exchanges and cooperation that promotes regional connectivity and mutual learning among civilizations,” Zhu said.

She highlighted China Daily’s long-standing mission to “bridge China and the world”, citing that the “Run with History” series, launched in 2019, has been held in historical cities including Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos, attracting more than 13,000 participants.

“Using sports as a bond and culture as a vehicle, we have built a down-to-earth and warm platform for people-to-people friendly exchanges,” Zhu said.

She added that guided by the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s four global initiatives, connectivity, trade ties and shared interests between China and South and Southeast Asian countries have continued to deepen, creating a path of open, inclusive and mutually beneficial development.

She called on the network members to strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional prosperity.

Htin Linn Aung, Myanmar’s information minister, said at the meeting that while technology connects people, it also amplifies shared regional threats.

“Common challenges such as climate change, economic instability, public health hazards and transnational security issues can no longer be addressed by a single country alone,” he said.

He emphasized the media’s responsibility in the digital age.

“The spread of misinformation and disinformation has the potential to create misunderstandings and undermine trust among nations,” he warned.

He called on the media to play a role beyond simply reporting news.

“The media can also serve as the diplomats who strengthen friendship among nations, as the bridges that connect diverse cultures and as the partners that promote mutual understanding among the peoples,” he said.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-join-forces-to-shape-shared-narrative-302826433.html

SOURCE China Daily Asia Pacific

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The Expo Group Appoints Chris Cavanaugh as President, Corporate to Accelerate Experiential Marketing Platform Growth

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New leadership signals The Expo Group’s commitment to reinventing how corporate brands connect, compete, and win 

DALLAS, July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Expo Group, Architects Connecting CommunitiesSM, announces the appointment of Chris Cavanaugh as President, Corporate. Cavanaugh is charged with shaping corporate growth strategy, demonstrating The Expo Group’s commitment to architecting events and leading the next evolution of experiential marketing through bold acquisitions, expanded capabilities, and relentless innovation.

The move comes as experiential marketing emerges as a business imperative. In an era of digital intelligence and increasing online noise, the brands that are poised to win are those that create authentic human connections at trade shows, corporate events, and in-person experiences.

“Chris is a rare combination of visionary and operator,” said Randy Pekowski, CEO of The Expo Group. “With 30 years building brands and scaling businesses across experiential marketing, exhibitions, and marketing services, he knows how to create enterprise value. More importantly, he knows where this industry is going. Chris’s expertise will position The Expo Group for its next phase of growth and expansion of our experiential marketing platform.”

Cavanaugh brings a perspective shaped by leading some of the most respected organizations in the industry. As CEO of The Imagine Group, a leading provider of creative, print, and digital solutions, he transformed the business for its next phase of growth. As CMO of Freeman, one of the world’s largest brand experience companies, he drove global brand strategy through significant expansion. Earlier, he held senior leadership roles at Jack Morton, one of the world’s premier experiential agencies. He also founded Jumpstart Consulting, advising private equity firms and executive teams on growth strategy and acquisitions.

“Audiences expect more, and brands that show up with richer, more relevant experiences earn their trust,” said Cavanaugh. “As digital technologies and data continue to transform how organizations engage audiences, the demand for authentic, in-person experiences continues to grow and deliver measurable business outcomes. The strongest experiential strategies combine data and insights with meaningful human connections, enhancing and personalizing the experience.”

In his new role, Cavanaugh will oversee corporate development, brand marketing, acquisition integration, and the company’s expansion strategy, growing The Expo Group’s experiential marketing platform, while shaping the client strategies that turn events and experiences into measurable business results.

To explore how experiential marketing can drive lasting business impact, contact Marketing@TheExpoGroup.com.

About The Expo Group

The Expo Group architects meaningful connections through the design and management of personalized, high-impact trade shows and events. By applying behavioral science and strategic insight, the company helps clients reimagine the event experience—delivering customized brand environments that drive engagement, valuable content, authentic connections, and measurable commerce. Headquartered in Dallas, The Expo Group operates additional offices in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Learn more at www.theexpogroup.com.

Media Contact:
Lonnie Hackney
Director, Marketing
972.751.9137
418798@email4pr.com

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SOURCE The Expo Group

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Attain Technology Named to MSP Summit’s 2026 MSPs to Watch List

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Providence-based managed IT services provider recognized for operational excellence and growth potential using the same methodology as the industry benchmark MSP 501

PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Attain Technology, a Providence, Rhode Island managed IT services provider, has been named to MSP Summit’s 2026 MSPs to Watch list. The recognition honors managed service providers that demonstrate world-class operational performance and strong growth potential.

MSP Summit, an Informa event and the organization behind the industry’s benchmark MSP 501, evaluated the MSPs to Watch list using the same rigorous methodology as the MSP 501. The assessment examined revenue mix quality, recurring revenue percentage, revenue per employee efficiency, and year-over-year growth. According to MSP Summit, many MSPs to Watch companies outperform larger MSP 501 organizations on the metrics that matter most, including recurring revenue, growth rate, operational efficiency, and service innovation.

The distinction reflects how well a managed service provider is built and run, not simply its size. For Attain Technology, it validates a deliberate focus on operational excellence and forward-thinking solutions for the small and mid-size businesses it serves across Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts, with specialization in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

“We’ve been very intentional about building a business that prioritizes operational excellence, meaningful client outcomes, and forward-thinking solutions, so it’s rewarding to see that effort reflected in this distinction,” said Robert “Bob” Paradise, CEO of Attain Technology.

Founded in 2008, Attain Technology delivers managed IT services, cybersecurity, and AI readiness consulting designed to help clients operate securely and grow with confidence. The firm’s recognition arrives as it continues to expand its AI consulting practice, helping regional businesses adopt practical, secure automation.

The full 2026 MSPs to Watch list is available on the official MSP Summit announcement. Businesses interested in learning more about Attain Technology’s managed services and AI readiness offerings can visit the company’s website or contact its Providence office directly.

About Attain Technology

Attain Technology is a managed IT services provider and AI consulting firm based at 275 Reservoir Ave, Providence, RI 02907. Founded in 2008, Attain serves small and mid-size businesses across Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts, with vertical specialization in construction and manufacturing. Learn more at www.attaintechnology.com.

Media Contact:
Matthew DePardo
Attain Technology
401-244-5200 x112
418882@email4pr.com
www.attaintechnology.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attain-technology-named-to-msp-summits-2026-msps-to-watch-list-302826246.html

SOURCE Attain Technology Inc.

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