Ahmad Sadeddin knows what it takes to be a serial entrepreneur. The Jordanian, who has a strong background in product management and cyber security, moved to the US in 2017.
That decision was influenced by the successful acquisition of a start-up he founded, Riskopy, by US-based business spend management company Coupa. Riskopy was a third-party risk data provider that helped companies assess the risks associated with their business partnerships.
Following that acquisition, Mr Sadeddin wasted no time in launching his third venture, a cyber security start-up called Corgea, specialising in artificial intelligence-driven vulnerability detection and remediation. Drawing on his expertise and insights gained from his previous endeavours, he identified key areas within the data and IT security segment that could benefit from innovation and improvement.
“Before founding Corgea, I was motivated by the conviction that addressing traditional cyber security threats through conventional methods is insufficient. It is imperative to transition to utilising AI in order to effectively combat these threats,” Mr Sadeddin says.
Corgea, which has its headquarters in San Francisco and is focused on the US and Middle East, offers an artificial intelligence-powered suite designed to address a “critical issue in modern cyber security”, he says. That includes automating the detection, triaging and remediation of vulnerabilities in source code, including complex logic bugs.
The term "triage" originates from the French word "trier", which means to select, or categorise. In cyber security, triage is a methodical process used to identify, prioritise and manage security threats according to their level of severity. This process is essential in effectively addressing and mitigating potential risks to an organisation's digital assets.
By categorising threats based on their impact and urgency, cyber security professionals can efficiently allocate resources and respond promptly to the most critical issues. Logical bugs, on the other hand, are vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers to carry out malicious actions.
AI is revolutionising industries, and cyber security is no different. The rapid growth of AI in cyber security highlights the increasing importance of leveraging advanced technologies to protect sensitive data and tackle evolving threats.
The global market for AI-based cyber security products is forecast to reach $134 billion by 2030, from $15 billion in 2021, growing at a compound annual growth rate of around 28 per cent between 2022 and 2030, according to a report by Acumen Research and Consulting.
AI is used in cyber security by leveraging the software to enhance human expertise in swiftly detecting emerging forms of malware traffic or hacking attempts. Thanks to recent advancements in computing power, AI in cyber security is now a feasible solution even with relatively small datasets, the report says.
Due to its ability to analyse vast amounts of data and identify patterns, AI is well-suited for tasks such as accurately detecting real attacks better than humans, Morgan Stanley said in a September report.
Having this “intelligence would provide cyber security organisations with a significant edge in preventing future attacks. Stopping breaches before they occur would not only help protect the data of individuals and companies, but also lower IT costs for businesses”, said its AI and Cybersecurity: A New Era report.
“AI is a rapidly growing field within the realm of cyber security. The application of AI and large language model (LLM) was relatively unheard of just a few years ago. However, it has now taken centerstage for organisations in the Middle East,” Mr Sadeddin explains.
Corgea's platform "utilises the latest advancements in AI to identify vulnerabilities that may have gone unnoticed in the past, such as business logic flaws and authentication vulnerabilities”, he adds.
In addition, it has the capability to minimise false positives and automatically generate the necessary code fixes to enhance the security of applications.
False positives, in simple terms, refer to alerts that inaccurately suggest the presence of a vulnerability.
Mr Sadeddin says this innovative technology enables security teams to uncover hidden risks, reduce alert fatigue, and accelerate software development processes.
“The importance of this technology cannot be overstated, especially as businesses operating in regulated industries are facing heightened legal scrutiny and escalating fines for security breaches and non-compliance with cyber security regulations.”
Corgea was founded in June last year, and “even though it is an early-stage start-up it's been successful in onboarding some local clients in Saudi Arabia, and the UAE and we are planning to set up our Development Centre in Jordan shortly,” says Mr Sadeddin.
In the region, he says, the start-up is seeing traction with enterprises in the financial services, consultancy, energy and telecom, and aims to establish a strong foothold in the Middle East while maintaining momentum in the US and Europe. “We’re focused on partnerships with regional enterprises and government entities, providing tailored solutions for their security needs,” he adds.
Countries in the Middle Eastern are rapidly embracing digitalisation, which involves the widespread adoption of connected digital technologies and applications by consumers, businesses, and governments.
While digitisation offers numerous benefits, it also exposes organisations to significant risks posed by cyber threats orchestrated by online criminals and hacktivists.
The average cost of a data breach in the Middle East rose by 8.4 per cent annually to $8.75 million in 2024, according to a study by IBM. The region is the second most expensive in the world for data breaches, after the US, where the average cost is $9.36 million.
In recent years, the region has seen a notable rise in phishing and smishing attacks. According to a survey conducted by cyber security firm Proofpoint in February, 92 per cent of organisations in the UAE reported experiencing at least one successful phishing attack in 2023, up from 86 per cent in 2022.
There is a strong focus on cyber security and privacy at both executive and board levels in the Middle East, according to PwC’s 2025 Global Digital Trust Insights report. Leadership in this region is more actively engaged in these matters compared to their global counterparts.
The Middle East's cyber security market is projected to reach a value of $31 billion by 2030 as governments and enterprises take measures to protect their infrastructure, data from consultancy Frost & Sullivan showed last year.
In September, the UAE was named as a global leader on the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, for its efforts to bolster cyber security measures. The index is compiled by the International Telecommunication Union, a specialised agency of the UN dedicated to information and communication technology.
The Emirates is one of 46 countries in the top ranking, alongside fellow Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as the US, UK, Germany and France, according to the index.
The UAE Cabinet established the Cybersecurity Council in November 2020 amid a surge in threats and attacks on computers and the internet around the world. The council is responsible for legislation to strengthen cybersecurity, subject to Cabinet approval.
“The Middle East is currently undergoing rapid digital expansion, resulting in high-value targets and a rise in the complexity of cyber attacks. Many cyber security companies providing services in the Gulf and the wider Middle East are struggling to address the fundamental issue of securing data,” says Mr Sadeddin, who obtained a master’s degree in insurance and risk management at MIB School of Management in Italy.
“Several GCC countries have implemented data localisation requirements, which mandate that data must be stored within the country's borders. Corgea's AI-driven cloud infrastructure guarantees full compliance with regional data protection laws, ensuring that data and operations remain within the country's borders. This is essential in reducing risks related to cyber security concerns.”
He says the introduction of the Cyber Resilience Act in the EU and the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Authority in Saudi Arabia are clear indicators of the evolving regulatory landscape, compelling businesses to adopt more sophisticated security measures.
Going forward, Mr Sadeddin says his company is optimistic about the potential for growth in the region.
Drivers include rapid adoption of AI in solving critical security challenges, increasing volume and complexity of cyber threats, and demand from enterprises for tools that reduce alert fatigue and accelerate remediation.
“We estimate the region could generate between $1 million to $3 million in revenue in the next 12 to 24 months. The reason we're bullish on the region is because of how underserved it is with cyber security solutions that leverage AI, the regulatory landscape that supports our business and the advanced threats putting pressure on teams,” he says.
The start-up raised $2.6 million in seed funding earlier this month, led by the UAE-based venture capital firm Shorooq Partners, with participation from investors such as Y Combinator, Propeller, Decacorn Capital, Unbound Ventures, and various angels such as Jawed Karim, co-founder of YouTube and Y Ventures, and Sam Kassoumeh, co-founder of SecurityScoreCard.
The start-up’s next goal is to secure Series A funding, which will enable it to expand its engineering and sales teams, invest in product development, and facilitate growth in high-potential regions such as the Middle East and the United States.
The company is also looking to expand its team, which currently consists of four staff members.
“For the Middle East, we aim to hire a mix of technical and sales talent to support our expansion and serve customers locally. We're starting to hire in Jordan to help serve and support the region due to the size of the companies and the need to have support in their time zone,” Mr Sadeddin says.
Q&A with Ahmad Sadeddin, founder and chief executive, Corgea:
What’s your philosophy about entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is about solving real problems with relentless focus and perseverance. It’s a journey of continuous learning, building resilience, and surrounding yourself with a team that believes in your mission. Success comes from deeply understanding your customers’ pain points and iterating quickly to deliver value.
What already successful start-up do you wish you had started?
Funny enough, Snyk. Back in 2015 I was experimenting with the public CVE list of vulnerabilities to help companies find vulnerabilities in their stack. I was discouraged by a friend.
What new skills have you learnt from launching your venture?
Leadership through uncertainty, prioritising ruthlessly, and the art of storytelling for fundraising and sales.
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?
Invest earlier in building a wider product. Product development and knowing where to stop is really an art.
What changes in cyber security should businesses expect in the next decade?
AI will dominate – both as a tool for defenders and attackers. Businesses must adopt AI-powered solutions to stay ahead.
What is your next big dream to make happen?
To make Corgea the global leader in AI-powered security, empowering every developer to ship secure code effortlessly.
Company Profile:
Company Name: Corgea
Started: June 2023
Founder: Ahmad Sadeddin
Based in: San Francisco, with operations across UAE and Saudi Arabia
Number of staff: 4
Investment stage: Seed
Amount raised so far: $2.6 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, along with Y Combinator, Propeller, Decacorn Capital, Unbound Ventures, and angel investors such as Jawed Karim and Sam Kassoumeh
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
The major Hashd factions linked to Iran:
Badr Organisation: Seen as the most militarily capable faction in the Hashd. Iraqi Shiite exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein set up the group in Tehran in the early 1980s as the Badr Corps under the supervision of the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The militia exalts Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but intermittently cooperated with the US military.
Saraya Al Salam (Peace Brigade): Comprised of former members of the officially defunct Mahdi Army, a militia that was commanded by Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and fought US and Iraqi government and other forces between 2004 and 2008. As part of a political overhaul aimed as casting Mr Al Sadr as a more nationalist and less sectarian figure, the cleric formed Saraya Al Salam in 2014. The group’s relations with Iran has been volatile.
Kataeb Hezbollah: The group, which is fighting on behalf of the Bashar Al Assad government in Syria, traces its origins to attacks on US forces in Iraq in 2004 and adopts a tough stance against Washington, calling the United States “the enemy of humanity”.
Asaeb Ahl Al Haq: An offshoot of the Mahdi Army active in Syria. Asaeb Ahl Al Haq’s leader Qais al Khazali was a student of Mr Al Moqtada’s late father Mohammed Sadeq Al Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric who was killed during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba: Formed in 2013 to fight alongside Mr Al Assad’s loyalists in Syria before joining the Hashd. The group is seen as among the most ideological and sectarian-driven Hashd militias in Syria and is the major recruiter of foreign fighters to Syria.
Saraya Al Khorasani: The ICRG formed Saraya Al Khorasani in the mid-1990s and the group is seen as the most ideologically attached to Iran among Tehran’s satellites in Iraq.
(Source: The Wilson Centre, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Thor%3A%20Love%20and%20Thunder%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Taika%20Waititi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Hemsworth%2C%20Natalie%20Portman%2C%20Christian%20Bale%2C%20Russell%20Crowe%2C%20Tessa%20Thompson%2C%20Taika%20Waititi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
EU Russia
The EU imports 90 per cent of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 per cent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m
Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
Alita: Battle Angel
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
Four stars
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
The six points:
1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences
2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it
4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided
6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
