DUBAI: The venture capital firm founded by billionaire Tim Draper has invested in Dubai-based Arrow Labs, a company that connects ‘deskless’ front line workers.
The $5 million series A fundraising is one of the company’s first in the region. It has previously invested in Baidu, Hotmail, Skype, Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter.
“For many years, investment in critical remote working tools has focused almost exclusively on office based staff,” said Tim Draper, founder and managing partner of Draper Associates. “This has caused front line workers to become disconnected. This is a global issue, affecting hundreds of millions of people, and a solution is required.”
The pandemic has led to upheaval across the global workplace as more employers adopt remote working practices and look to technology to help support that transition.
Arrow Lab’s core product is a platform accessed by mobile app, web, and wearables – which connects employees with machines and facilities and claims to reduce operating costs by 20 percent while increasing staff productivity by 30 percent.
Investment proceeds will be used by to accelerate growth into new markets, especially the US while also enhancing development of the MIMS platform’s machine-learning capabilities.
Arrow Labs existing clients include G4S, Linde AG, Dubai Ports World and Bnet.
Billionaire investor Tim Draper backs Dubai-based remote tool for front line workers
https://arab.news/bpsmg
Billionaire investor Tim Draper backs Dubai-based remote tool for front line workers
- The pandemic has led to upheaval across the global workplace as more employers adopt remote working practices and look to technology to help support that transition
BYD Americas CEO hails Middle East as ‘homeland for innovation’
- In an interview on the sidelines of Davos, Stella Li highlighted the region’s openness to new technologies and opportunities for growth
DAVOS: BYD Americas CEO Stella Li described the Middle East as a “homeland for innovation” during an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
The executive of the Chinese electric vehicle giant highlighted the region’s openness to new technologies and opportunities for growth.
“The people (are) very open. And then from the government, from everybody there, they are open to enjoy the technology,” she said.
BYD has accelerated its expansion of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids across the Middle East and North Africa region, with a strong focus on Gulf Cooperation Council countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
GCC EV markets, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, rank among the world’s fastest-growing. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been aggressively investing in the EV sector, backing Lucid Motors, launching its brand Ceer, and supporting charging infrastructure development.
However, EVs still account for just over 1 percent of total car sales, as high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and extreme weather remain challenges.
In summer 2025, BYD announced it was aiming to triple its Saudi footprint following Tesla’s entry, targeting 5,000 EV sales and 10 showrooms by late 2026.
“We commit a lot of investment there (in the region),” Li noted, adding that the company is building a robust dealer network and introducing cutting-edge technology.
Discussing growth plans, she envisioned Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East as a potential “dreamland” for innovation — what she described as a regional “Silicon Valley.”
Talking about the EV ambitions of the Saudi government, she said: “If they set up (a) target, they will make (it) happen. Then they need a technology company like us to support their … 2030 Vision.”
