Kingpin secures $3.5M seed funding to scale its AI-powered retail platform into global markets, expanding operations beyond the Middle East.
Dubai-based startup Kingpin, which develops AI-driven solutions to streamline global retail distribution, has secured a $3.5 million seed funding round to accelerate its international expansion. The investment includes US and UAE backers such as Infinity Ventures, Red Swan Ventures, Mu Ventures, Outliers, and COTU, with support from Hub71 in Abu Dhabi.
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The funding will allow the company to expand its engineering and product teams, strengthen its AI capabilities, and extend operations beyond the Middle East into Europe and North America.
It was founded by Harsh Sajnani and Guilherme Soares, both third-generation industry operators with lived experience of fragmented trade workflows in MENA and Latin America. Their firsthand knowledge has deeply shaped its AI platform, designed to replace outdated tools like spreadsheets and late-night WhatsApp orders with intelligent, automated workflows.
Sajnani stated that it leverages both their operational background and AI to improve how businesses discover suppliers, manage inventory, coordinate shipments, and secure financing. Soares added, “B2B retail has been running on duct tape and Excel sheets for decades,” emphasising Kingpin’s aim to build a more integrated system-wide solution.
Investor Confidence in Kingpin’s Potential
Lead investor Infinity Ventures highlighted its potential to redefine a large, under-automated segment of the global economy. Managing partner Mario Ruiz praised the team’s blend of wholesale experience and tech execution, underscoring how Kingpin is converting fragmented operations into intelligent workflows.
COTU Ventures, an early investor, reiterated its conviction in its vision and discipline. Founder Amir Farha spoke about the team’s thoughtful execution and long-term commitment. Meanwhile, Hub71’s Basma Ahmed AlBadi AlDhaheri said Kingpin aligns strongly with Abu Dhabi’s objective to create AI-first, export-ready companies.
Kingpin now supports over 300 distributors and brands spanning sectors such as beauty, fashion, and sports. The platform’s AI engine claims to:
- Boost sales revenue by as much as 20%
- Reduce sales cycles by 85%
- Save sales teams over 200 hours per month through automation
Kingpin’s AI system helps businesses identify potential global retailers, validate leads, access verified contacts, and execute personalised outreach.
As part of the Hub71 community, Kingpin also gains access to Abu Dhabi’s AI ecosystem and international networks, supporting its ambition to scale globally.
With this funding in place and a clearly defined growth strategy, Kingpin is well-positioned to scale its AI-driven retail infrastructure into Europe and North America. While operational and regulatory hurdles remain, the company’s unique combination of domain expertise and technological ambition gives it a strong foundation to compete on the global stage.
