Key Takeaways:
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- BridgeWise, an AI-powered stock analytics startup, has opened its Gulf regional headquarters in Dubai, supported by a $21 million fundraising round led by Emirates NBD, the Swiss Stock Exchange, and the Brazilian Stock Exchange.
- The chatbot, named Bridget, provides stock ratings (up to five stars) but is not licensed to offer buy or sell recommendations in the UAE.
- BridgeWise has regulatory approval from the Israel Securities Authority and partners with global trading platforms like Interactive Brokers, eToro, and Nasdaq.
- The company is exploring further expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, as financial institutions increasingly adopt AI for equity research and financial modeling.
What Happened?
BridgeWise, a startup specializing in AI-driven stock analytics, has expanded into the Gulf region by establishing its regional headquarters in Dubai. The move follows a $21 million fundraising round in 2024, which included investments from Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest lender, as well as the Swiss and Brazilian stock exchanges.
While BridgeWise has received an operational license from the Dubai International Financial Centre, it is restricted from offering direct buy or sell recommendations in the UAE. Instead, its chatbot, Bridget, assigns stocks a rating of up to five stars, providing insights to investors without crossing regulatory boundaries.
Globally, BridgeWise has over 50 institutional partners, including Nasdaq, eToro, and the Japan Exchange Group, and serves 25 million users worldwide. The company is also considering expanding into other Middle Eastern markets, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
Why It Matters?
BridgeWise’s expansion into Dubai underscores the growing role of AI in financial services, particularly in equity research and investment advisory. The Gulf region, with its increasing focus on fintech and innovation, offers a strategic market for AI-driven solutions.
The partnership with Emirates NBD highlights the interest of regional financial institutions in leveraging AI to enhance their offerings. However, regulatory restrictions in the UAE reflect the cautious approach authorities are taking toward AI-powered financial advisory services.
BridgeWise’s global partnerships with major trading platforms and exchanges position it as a key player in the AI-driven financial analytics space, competing with initiatives like JPMorgan’s AI-powered research analyst chatbot.
What’s Next?
BridgeWise plans to expand further into the Middle East, with potential offices in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. The company will likely focus on building partnerships with regional financial institutions while navigating local regulatory frameworks.
As AI adoption in financial services accelerates, BridgeWise’s ability to balance innovation with compliance will be critical to its success in the Gulf and beyond. Investors and institutions will watch closely to see how the company scales its operations and adapts to regional market dynamics.
