We help you understand AI before you commit to it.
Cogmerce is an independent AI advisory firm based in Dubai, UAE. We work with investors, acquirers, and businesses to evaluate technology claims, assess AI systems, and make decisions grounded in evidence instead of assumptions.
Three pillars. One purpose: better AI decisions.
Everything we do helps organizations and investors navigate AI with clarity. Whether you need your team educated, your strategy guided, or your investment de-risked, our work is built on the same principles: independence, evidence, and practical relevance.
Technical due diligence for investors
For PE/VC firms, family offices, M&A teams, accelerators, and AI-first startup founders.
Help teams understand and adopt AI
For executives, functional leaders, and transformation teams introducing AI into daily work.
Strategic AI advisory for leadership
For CEOs, legal teams, CIO/CTO offices, and procurement teams navigating complex AI decisions.
Six services. Each designed for a specific need.
AI Training & Workshops
Practical, structured training for executives, functional leaders, and teams. Designed around your industry, your workflows, and your risk profile. Not generic AI overviews.
Learn moreAI Transformation & Enablement
We identify where AI fits into your workflows, what your teams are ready for, and build a practical adoption roadmap that avoids wasted budget and unrealistic timelines.
Learn moreAI Strategy Advisory
Ongoing, vendor-neutral strategic guidance for leadership teams. We help you decide what to prioritize, what to stop, and what to ask, without selling you a product.
Learn moreAI & Technology Due Diligence
Independent, standards-aligned assessment of AI claims, technology systems, and teams. For investment decisions, acquisitions, and procurement. Three tiers from rapid screen to deep dive.
Explore our flagship service FlagshipStartup Mentoring & Support
Architecture reviews, pitch feedback, roadmap critique, and honest guidance on technical claims. For AI-first founders who need unfiltered, experienced perspectives.
Learn moreExpert Advisory & Dispute Support
Independent technical review for AI contracts, vendor negotiations, and dispute situations. We help you see what is actually on the table before you commit.
Learn moreWe exist because AI decisions deserve independent scrutiny.
Too many AI decisions are made under pressure, influenced by vendor marketing, and based on claims that have not been independently verified. We provide the clarity that comes from having no product to sell and no conflict of interest.
Independent and Vendor-Neutral
We do not sell technology, take referral fees, or hold positions in companies we evaluate. Our revenue comes exclusively from providing value to our clients. You get clarity, not a pitch.
Standards-Aligned Methodology
Our work is built on NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, ISO 25010, the EU AI Act, and other globally recognized frameworks. Not rigid checklists, but principled foundations that ensure our analysis meets international benchmarks.
Practitioner-Led, Not Template-Driven
Our lead analyst has direct experience in AI deployments, technology investments, AI led value creation, and hands-on technical delivery across 100+ startups and enterprise engagements.
Decision-Focused Output
Every report and recommendation is written for the person making the decision, not for other analysts. We deliver recommendations, not ambiguity. Proceed, conditional proceed, or do not proceed.
Grounded in internationally recognized benchmarks.
We reference established global standards as principled foundations for our analysis. We do not apply these as rigid checklists. We adapt them for commercial decision-making.
Real problems. Practical solutions. Measurable results.
Beyond advisory and due diligence, we have hands-on experience building and deploying AI systems. Here are three examples of AI solutions we delivered.
RFP Processing for a Multinational Defence Contractor
A defence contractor in Dubai processed 8-10 large RFP documents (80-150 pages each) per month. Each took 3-4 hours to summarize into structured leadership reports. We built a web portal powered by an LLM pipeline that processes each document in minutes.
AI-Powered Client Assistant for a Tax Advisory Firm
Tax advisors were spending significant time answering routine questions about UAE Corporate Tax and handling appointment scheduling manually. We built a WhatsApp-based AI assistant that handles responses, books appointments, and supports multiple languages.
AI for Sales at a European Equipment Manufacturer
A multinational airport equipment manufacturer had no structured way to handle large volumes of new leads after events. We built an AI system that analyzes their database, scans company websites, and provides a conversational interface to CRM data.
Training and advisory, in action.
Workshops, accelerator programs, and advisory engagements delivered across government, corporate, and startup ecosystems in the UAE, GCC, and beyond.
Our audience is people who need to make real AI decisions.
We work with organizations and investors who are past the curiosity phase and are facing real decisions about AI. That means evaluating an investment, choosing a vendor, training a workforce, or deciding whether to continue a struggling initiative.
Investors & Acquirers
PE/VC firms, family offices, and corporate M&A teams evaluating technology companies or AI-native startups.
Enterprise Leadership
CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, COOs, and transformation teams looking for training, adoption guidance, or strategic advisory.
Startup Founders
AI-first founders who want honest, experienced feedback on their architecture, claims, pitch, and roadmap.
Legal & Procurement
Teams dealing with AI contracts, vendor evaluations, or technical dispute situations who need independent input.
Across government, investment, corporate, and startup ecosystems.
Junaid Aziz
Founder & Principal Advisor
Junaid is an AI and digital specialist with hands-on experience across AI investments, enterprise transformation, startup mentorship, and AI system delivery.
In his previous role, he managed the AI and technology investments portfolio at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), where he oversaw programs including the Microsoft Highway to 100 Unicorns, GrowthX Accelerator, and the AWS Cloud Innovation Center. He has served as faculty at the Majid Al Futtaim Leadership Institute and as a technical trainer with Pearson Professional and NobleProg, designing AI programs for senior leaders at scale.
Junaid brings hands-on programming and software development experience, with proficiency in Python, Java, JavaScript, and REST APIs. He has served as development and maintenance owner for large-scale public-sector applications, including Dubai Taxi iServices and ADNOC platforms.
Previously, he has contributed to AI Policy and Democratic Values Index report as a Research Group Member at the Center for AI and Digital Policy.
Full Background