VentureSouq leads $2 million MilkStraw AI Seed round
UAE-based cloud optimisation startup raises Seed funding
#UAE #funding - UAE and San Francisco-based cloud optimisation startup MilkStraw AI has raised $2 million in Seed funding led by regional venture capital firm VentureSouq, with participation from Ibtikar Fund and M Capital. Founded in 2023 by Jawad Shreim, the company develops AI-powered software that automates and optimises cloud infrastructure costs for businesses. The funding will support product expansion and operational scaling, including development of new features such as The Feed, Right Sizing and an AI-driven conversational interface for managing cloud infrastructure using natural language.
SO WHAT? - The investment addresses growing demand for cloud cost management solutions as businesses face rising infrastructure expenses whilst scaling operations. MilkStraw AI’s ability to complete the funding round in approximately 45 days reflects investor confidence in cloud optimisation as a critical infrastructure layer, particularly as companies seek to reduce operational costs without compromising service quality or growth capabilities.
Here are some key points about the Seed round:
UAE and San Francisco-based MilkStraw AI secured $2 million in Seed funding led by VentureSouq, with participation from Ibtikar Fund and M Capital to accelerate product development and scale operations across regional markets. The new funding follows on from the company’s $600,000 pre-seed funding announced in January 2025.
The company, founded in 2023 by Jawad Shreim, has gained traction with over 100 startups relying on its technology to manage and optimise cloud infrastructure, demonstrating product-market fit across fintech, software-as-a-service and technology sectors.
MilkStraw AI’s platform automates cloud infrastructure cost optimisation, promising businesses up to 75% savings on Amazon Web Services costs by providing reserved instance pricing with on-demand flexibility for startups and technology companies.
MilkStraw AI’s customer base includes MENA technology companies Thndr, Maqsam, Ziina, Beyond Limits and Zero, highlighting adoption amongst growth-stage businesses requiring efficient cloud cost management solutions.
The funding round was completed in approximately 45 days, reflecting execution speed and investor confidence in the company’s positioning as cloud costs and operational complexity continue rising for technology businesses.
The capital will fund development of new features including The Feed for infrastructure monitoring, Right Sizing for resource optimisation and an AI-powered conversational interface enabling users to interact with cloud infrastructure using natural language.
MilkStraw AI plans to deepen its presence across the Middle East and North Africa region and expand into additional markets beyond current operations.
ZOOM OUT - MilkStraw AI raised $600,000 in pre-seed funding in January 2025 led by Flat6Labs with participation from Angel Spark, Beyond Capital and angel investors including Mahesh Murthy and Ghassan Halawa. The company initially served technology firms including Magnitt, Voltlines, RISE and Washmen with AI-powered software promising up to 75% savings on Amazon Web Services cloud costs.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
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