• UAE-HQ AI startup MilkStraw AI has raised $2 million in seed funding, led by VentureSouq with participation from Ibtikar Fund and M Capital, to scale its AI-powered cloud optimisation platform.
• MilkStraw, founded in the US in 2023 by Jawad Shreim, develops software that automates and optimises cloud infrastructure costs for businesses.
• The funding will support product expansion and operational scaling, with upcoming features including The Feed, Right Sizing, and an AI-driven conversational interface for managing cloud infrastructure.
• A year ago, MilkStraw AI raised $600,000 in pre-seed funding, led by Flat6Labs, with participation from Angel Spark, Beyond Capital, and other angel investors.

Press release:

AI-powered cloud optimisation startup MilkStraw AI has raised $2 million in seed funding in a round led by VentureSouq, with participation from Ibtikar Fund and M Capital.

Founded in 2023, MilkStraw AI was built to simplify cloud optimisation and make it more accessible for startups. Since launch, the platform has gained rapid traction across the ecosystem, with more than 100 startups now relying on its technology to manage and optimise their cloud infrastructure.

The company’s customer base includes Thndr, Maqsam, Ziina, Beyond Limits, and Zero, highlighting strong product-market fit across fintech, SaaS, and technology-driven businesses.

MilkStraw AI completed the funding round in approximately 45 days, a milestone that reflects both investor confidence and execution speed. The team described the moment as one of relief rather than celebration, marking the end of an intense fundraising sprint.

The newly raised capital will be used to accelerate product development and scale operations. The company is currently developing several new features, including The Feed, Right Sizing, and an AI-powered conversational layer that will allow users to interact directly with their cloud infrastructure using natural language.

Backed by VentureSouq, alongside the strategic support and regional networks of Ibtikar Fund and M Capital, MilkStraw AI plans to deepen its footprint across MENA and expand into additional markets.

As cloud costs and operational complexity continue to rise, MilkStraw AI is positioning itself as a core infrastructure layer, enabling startups to focus on building products rather than managing inefficient cloud spend.