Skipr
Category: AI Infrastructure
A sovereign Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) that enables secure, policy-governed AI-to-AI communication across borders, clouds, and organizations with autonomous trust architecture. Skipr was founded in 2023. The company is led by Andreas Hartl. Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Team size: 10-50. Total funding raised: $2.0M. Latest round: Seed (at $10M valuation, Feb 2026).
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Team size
- 10-50
- Total funding
- $2.0M
Value proposition
Enables organizations to deploy autonomous AI systems with cryptographic identity verification, policy-driven routing, and auditable interoperability while maintaining full sovereign control over data, decisions, and transactions across different networks and jurisdictions.
Products and solutions
SecureConnect - Self-deploying, zero-custody connectivity layer for telcos, MVNOs, and governments, AgentConnect - Cryptographically sealed digital SCIFs for secure AI-to-AI interoperability, Autonomous Trust Architecture - Sovereign PaaS with self-orchestrating services, Autonomous Deployment Engine - Self-orchestrating infrastructure without third-party reliance
Unique value
First sovereign-grade PaaS purpose-built for autonomous AI-to-AI interoperability with zero-custody architecture, enabling governments and enterprises to maintain complete control over data and decision-making across borders while ensuring GDPR compliance and regulatory adherence through cryptographic protocols and real-time jurisdiction enforcement.
Target customer
Telecommunications operators, governments, MVNOs, enterprises deploying autonomous AI systems, AI/cybersecurity laboratories, and data center operators requiring sovereign-grade infrastructure
Industries served
Telecommunications, Government & Defense, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Centers & Cloud Infrastructure, Digital Sovereignty, Enterprise Software
Technology advantage
Combines autonomous deployment engine (self-orchestrating services), ephemeral network architecture (self-retiring connections with continuous security re-verification), and self-verifying cryptographic proofs that enforce authentication and jurisdiction in real-time, eliminating third-party reliance while enabling trusted AI collaboration at national and enterprise scale.
How they differentiate
Skipr provides a sovereign Platform-as-a-Service for secure, policy-governed AI-to-AI communication via cryptographic identity, policy-driven routing, and auditable interoperability across borders and clouds. Competitors vary in focus: Mistral AI integrates model development with sovereign compute stacks; Inference Labs emphasizes decentralized, Web3-centric compute with cryptographic proofs; Ritual focuses on verifiable AI execution layers rather than interoperable communication protocols.
Main competitors
Mistral AI, Inference Labs, Ritual
Key partnerships
Hub71+ Digital Assets ecosystem (Abu Dhabi), Telecommunications operators (early deployment partners), AI and cybersecurity laboratories, Data center partners, GCC government institutions defining digital sovereignty standards, NVIDIA Inception program (joined 2026), AWS CTIB Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator with CyberE71, AWS, CrowdStrike, e& (selected 2026)
Major milestones
Closed USD 2M seed funding at USD 10M valuation (Feb 2026), Operating within Hub71+ Digital Assets ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, Working with telecommunications operators, AI/cybersecurity labs, and data centre partners on early deployments, Joined NVIDIA Inception program (2026), Selected for AWS CTIB Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator with CyberE71, AWS, CrowdStrike, e& (2026)
Growth metrics
Not publicly disclosed
Market positioning
Early-stage sovereign AI infrastructure startup based in Abu Dhabi (Hub71+ Digital Assets ecosystem), targeting telcos, governments, and enterprises requiring sovereign-grade, interoperable AI communication layers.
Geographic focus
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and broader Middle East; global expansion potential targeting governments, telcos, and data center operators.
Patents and IP
No registered patents publicly disclosed as of latest update (February 2026)
About Andreas Hartl
Over 20 years of excellence in international sales and business development leadership. Previously Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific & Japan at Zscaler. Held senior leadership positions at AVEVA, IBM, and Microsoft. Nearly 30 years of experience in the IT industry with deep expertise in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, zero-trust architecture, and strategic partnerships.
Official website: https://www.skipr.network/