Kingpin, a UAE-based AI-native B2B distribution platform, has raised $3.5 million in seed funding to modernize global wholesale trade. The round was led by Infinity Ventures with participation from Red Swan Ventures, Mu Ventures, COTU Ventures, Outliers VC, and support from Abu Dhabi’s Hub71. The capital will help the company scale its platform, deepen its AI capabilities, and accelerate expansion across Europe, North America, Latin America, and other key markets.
Funding round and investor backing
Infinity Ventures co-founder and managing partner Mario Ruiz said the firm backed Kingpin because it is bringing AI-native infrastructure to one of the largest and least automated sectors of the global economy. Early backer COTU Ventures, represented by founder Amir Farha, highlighted the team’s discipline and focus on building thoughtfully for the brands and distributors they serve. Additional investors, including Mu Ventures’ general partner Gary Benerofe and Red Swan Ventures managing partner Sandy Cass, pointed to Kingpin’s potential to transform how products move from brands to retailers worldwide.
Rebuilding B2B distribution with AI
Founded in 2021 by co-founder and CEO Harsh Sajnani and co-founder and COO Guilherme Soares, Kingpin aims to replace fragmented tools, spreadsheets, and late-night email workflows with a single intelligent layer for distribution. Drawing on their background as third-generation retailers and distributors, the founders designed the platform to reflect how B2B commerce actually operates on the ground. Their vision is to rebuild distribution so it is connected, intelligent, and centered on people rather than manual processes.
Traction and customer impact
Since launch, Kingpin has been adopted by more than 300 brands and distributors across sectors such as fashion, sports, and beauty. The company reports that customers have expanded revenue by up to 60 percent, generated roughly 20 percent of net new revenue, and shortened sales cycles by around 85 percent. Automation on the platform is also helping teams save more than 200 hours each month, freeing sales professionals to focus on higher-value work.
AI-native platform and product capabilities
Kingpin’s AI-native platform connects people, products, pricing, and processes within a single ecosystem that spans discovery, sales, and fulfillment. Its AI discovery engine identifies ideal retailers globally, validates prospects, accesses verified contacts, and generates personalized outreach at scale. By giving commercial teams real-time visibility and control over every stage of the distribution funnel, the platform is designed to enable faster market expansion and more predictable revenue growth.
Global expansion and UAE innovation hub
The company is building from the UAE as part of Mubadala-backed Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, positioning itself at the intersection of AI innovation and global trade. This ecosystem provides Kingpin with access to international markets, talent, and partners as it scales its distribution infrastructure. With the new funding, the startup plans to grow its engineering and AI teams while expanding its presence beyond the Middle East into North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Kingpin’s $3.5 million seed round marks a significant step in its ambition to become the revenue engine for modern distribution. With strong investor backing, an AI-first product, and early traction among brands and distributors, the company is targeting a longstanding pain point in global B2B commerce. As it scales from its base in Abu Dhabi to major international markets, Kingpin aims to give sales leaders greater control of their pipelines and make growth feel not only simpler, but increasingly inevitable.