Relik, a UAE-based authentication technology company, has closed its seed investment round with participation from KBW Ventures, Naatt Holding, Fort Holding, and Ayman Sejiny. The funding will accelerate the rollout of its AI-powered platform that verifies and protects the authenticity of physical assets without requiring external hardware.
The announcement comes as the global counterfeit market is estimated to exceed $467 billion, according to reports from the OECD and EUIPO. With generative AI technologies making it harder to distinguish real from fake, authentication solutions are gaining traction across the luxury, sports, and cultural sectors. Relik’s UAE base positions it strategically in a region that is investing heavily in technology and heritage preservation.
Relik’s platform creates a “digital DNA” for physical assets, enabling verification via a mobile device without NFC chips, RFID tags, or QR codes. The company plans to expand across sports memorabilia, luxury goods, and cultural heritage assets. Key investors include KBW Ventures, founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, along with Naatt Holding, Fort Holding, and Ayman Sejiny. Operational expertise is strengthened by John Tsioris, founder of InstaShop, who joins as co-founder and pre-seed investor.
Walid Tarabih, Founder and CEO of Relik, said: “We are ensuring authenticity in a fakeable world. Counterfeits don’t just impact economies; they erase identity, creativity, and truth. Along with our investors, we’re building a movement to make the world’s stories verifiable again.”
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures, stated: “Relik is creating a new global standard for truth and trust. At a time when counterfeiting and AI-generated content are rising, Relik’s mission to protect authenticity carries both cultural and commercial value.”
The investment signals growing interest in authentication technologies as AI-driven content and counterfeit goods challenge traditional verification systems. For the UAE, this aligns with its broader strategy to position itself as a hub for advanced technology and cultural preservation. Relik’s approach, which eliminates reliance on physical tags, could disrupt existing authentication models and attract partnerships across global luxury and heritage sectors.
Relik plans to scale its platform and deepen partnerships with sports legends, museums, and auction houses. As demand for verifiable provenance grows, the company’s UAE base may serve as a launchpad for global expansion in the authenticity market.
