Turkiye-Based AI Firm VenueX Raises $1.2 Million to Expand into MENA
Istanbul-based startup VenueX raised $1.2 million to accelerate its entry into the UAE and Saudi markets, aiming to scale its AI-powered platform that connects digital ads to in-store sales.
VenueX, a Turkiye-based AI startup focused on retail marketing automation, has raised $1.2 million in a bridge investment round to support its expansion into the Middle East and North Africa. The round was led by Singapore’s Orbit Startups, with participation from Re-Pie, Akkök, and Akyasam.
Founded in 2022, VenueX launched its unified digital advertising platform in April 2024, and has since onboarded 25 paying clients. The platform helps retail brands connect their digital advertising spend to in-store sales using AI agents that analyse budgets, inventory, and customer behaviour in real time. The aim is to create data-informed, automated campaigns that minimise manual oversight.
With the new capital, VenueX plans to establish offices in Dubai and Riyadh, build local sales and market teams, and scale its partnerships across Turkiye. The company also intends to grow its internal teams in growth, data science, and business development, while continuing to evolve its platform into a fully autonomous marketing solution. Current development goals include enhancing AI agents for inventory optimisation, creative generation, and customer segmentation.
VenueX’s expansion comes amid rising regional demand for AI-driven retail tools that can bridge online customer acquisition with offline conversion—particularly in digitally transforming markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
