SC Ventures partners with Microsoft to launch Project Hal, an AI-powered platform enhancing digital finance access for SMEs in the UAE.
SC Ventures, the innovation arm of Standard Chartered, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to enhance digital commerce and financial accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Arab Emirates.
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The collaboration will focus on developing AI- and cloud-based solutions under a new initiative known as Project Hal, which will be headquartered in the UAE.
SMEs play a critical role in the country’s economy, accounting for more than 60 percent of the UAE’s non-oil GDP. However, many still face barriers in securing financing due to limited credit histories and manual processes. Project Hal aims to address these gaps by using artificial intelligence to analyse business behaviour, streamline data exchange, and simplify digital access to funding.
According to Alex Manson, Head of SC Ventures, the partnership combines the “lifeblood of commerce, supply chains, and SMEs” with next-generation technology. Microsoft Asia President Rodrigo Kede Lima described the collaboration as part of Microsoft’s wider mission to help small businesses thrive in an “AI-first world.”
Project Hal will introduce a conversational, agent-driven platform designed to foster digital trade and cross-border growth. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader goal of accelerating SME digital transformation and promoting innovation within its fintech ecosystem.
By uniting financial expertise and cloud-driven AI capabilities, the partnership between SC Ventures and Microsoft is expected to play a key role in modernising SME operations and strengthening the UAE’s digital economy.
