Ankabut

What Ankabut does

Ankabut is a UAE-based non-profit technology provider operating the country's Advanced National Research and Education Network (NREN), headquartered at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. The company delivers high-speed broadband connectivity on a 40 Gbps backbone with international peering to Internet2 and GÉANT, and extends into a full-stack EdTech platform serving universities, K–12 schools, and research institutions. Its portfolio centers on Mozoon Cloud Services (IaaS, backup, disaster recovery, big data infrastructure, container platform, object storage), a Uptime Institute-certified colocation data center, a 90+ server HPC cluster, and integrated application modules including a Learning Management System, Student Information System, Warraqa Library Management System, Makhzan Data Analytics Platform, AnaSign Digital Signature, Ankabut Blockchain, and Business Process Automation. Security is delivered through the ANA-CYBER suite, combining the Weqaya awareness platform and the AnaSoc Security Operations Center — claimed to be the first SOC dedicated to education and research in the GCC.

The business operates on a membership-based, institutional model combining managed IT services, subscription cloud, usage-based HPC and storage, and professional consultancy, with pricing handled through a quote-based enquiry process rather than public disclosure. Ankabut serves 25+ institutions across 62+ campuses and over 170,000 students, with a broader footprint of 30+ institutions and 80 campuses referenced through the Huawei Cloud partnership. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeted at UAE educational and research institutions, complemented by strategic technology partnerships with Huawei (since 2019) and Dell Technologies (MoU signed February 2026), plus a multi-party alliance with Huawei Technologies UAE, Rong Cloud, Neuxnet (Singapore), and Talk Cloud (Beijing) signed in October 2025 to co-develop AI-driven education technologies. The company holds ISO certification, Uptime Institute data center certification, and a 2026 Great Place to Work certification.

Name

Ankabut

Legal name

Ankabut

Website

https://ankabut.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ankabut operates the UAE's Advanced National Research and Education Network (NREN), providing cloud infrastructure, HPC, connectivity, and integrated EdTech platforms to universities, K–12 schools, and research institutions across the country.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Technology Infrastructure

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAEAAAK

Network, Infrastructure & Data Center Integration

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Consulting & Systems Integration

SECONDARYEDAEAHAJ

Managed IT Services & On‑Site Field Support (Helpdesk, Break/Fix, IMAC)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/IT Infrastructure & AV Classroom Install/Support (Non-EdTech)

SECONDARYEDADAKAJ

IT, Information Security & Digital Governance

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Institutional Governance & Administration (School/College/University Admin)

SECONDARYEDAJAMAM

School IT Infrastructure & Cybersecurity for K–12 (Network, Identity, SSO)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Technology Solutions

SECONDARYEDAFALAI

Identity & Access Management (SSO/MFA) for Education

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Academic Integrity, Online Safety, Privacy & Compliance Tools

SECONDARYBPAEAAAC

Enterprise Architecture & Technology Roadmapping

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Consulting & Systems Integration

Keywords

• Education cloud services
• Research network connectivity
• Higher education technology
• Educational infrastructure platforms
• University IT services

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Managed IT Services: Ankabut provides and manages comprehensive IT services for clients with agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), including managed service desk, cloud services, core infrastructure, database management, IT asset management, campus network, end-user computing, AV services, applications, software engineering, and information security.
2. Cloud Services (Mozoon): Cloud services including IaaS, Disaster Recovery as a Service, Backup as a Service, Big Data Infrastructure, Container Platform, and Object Storage Service offered on a subscription/rental model to educational institutions, eliminating upfront capital expenditures.
3. HPC Services: High-performance computing cluster infrastructure made available to member institutions in the UAE without capital costs due to Ankabut's initial investment. Revenue derived from usage fees for HPC compute resources.
4. Consultancy Services: Specialized consultancy services helping institutions keep pace with technology developments, regulations, and dynamic markets. Includes world-class services and training combined with proven methodologies.
5. Backup as a Service: Cloud backup and restore solution with backup copies in two different sites, billed based on space utilized.
6. Disaster Recovery as a Service: Cloud disaster recovery protecting services and data, enabling business continuity with Low RPO and RTO. Billed for resources utilized.
7. Cloud Application Services: Application services including Blockchain as a Service, Applications Store, Business Process Automation, LMS, SIS, Library Management System, Data Analytics, and Digital Signature, offered as part of integrated cloud application portfolio.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ankabut operates the UAE's Advanced National Research and Education Network (NREN) and provides cloud infrastructure (Mozoon), HPC clusters, AI-as-a-Service, and an integrated EdTech application portfolio (Learning Management System, Student Information System, Library Management System, Blockchain credentials, digital signatures, and data analytics) for educational institutions across the UAE. The company delivers managed IT services, cybersecurity operations, smart campus solutions, and consultancy under SLA-backed institutional contracts.

Product overview

Ankabut is a UAE-based advanced technology provider for education and research, operating as a platform-plus-services architecture. The core offerings include Mozoon Cloud Services as the central infrastructure platform (encompassing IaaS, Backup as Service, Disaster Recovery as Service, Big Data Infrastructure, Container Platform, and Object Storage Service), the Learning Management System as the primary education platform, Ankabut NREN Connectivity as the national research and education network backbone, and supplementary modules including Student Information System, Warraqa Library Management System, Blockchain credentials, AnaSign digital signatures, Business Process Automation, and the Makhzan Data Analytics Platform. Security offerings include Weqaya security awareness training and AnaSoc managed security operations. Smart campus solutions encompass Smart CCTV video surveillance and Smart Class Room. The portfolio also includes HPC Services for high-performance computing, Colocation data center services, Managed IT Services, AI as a Service, and Consultancy Services. Ankabut partners with WeVideo to provide interactive video learning access to UAE institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ANA-CYBER: Cybersecurity services platform including Weqaya (security awareness training) and AnaSoc (Security Operations Center services).
• Mozoon
• Warraqa
• Makhzan
• AnaSign
• AnaSoc
• Weqaya
• ANaSIEM

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 170,000+ students across 25+ institutions and 62+ campuses
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability11 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• WeVideocoreTechnology or Integration · 27 March 2026Ankabut is offering complimentary institutional access to WeVideo's interactive video learning platform until May 31, 2026, enabling UAE educators to create lesson videos, assignments, and interactive content while providing students with ad-free video access and video-based assignment submission tools through a secure, cloud-based environment. Positions Ankabut as the UAE's EdTech enabler connecting institutions to global tools.
• Dell TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 20 February 2026Ankabut and Dell Technologies signed a MoU for Dell to supply GPU-as-a-service, high-performance computing systems, client devices, and workstations to support digital learning across UAE academic institutions. The collaboration aims to expand Ankabut's role as a Cloud Solution Provider, enabling institutions to access accelerated and scalable computing for data-intensive research and advanced learning applications.
• Huawei Technologies UAEflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Ankabut signed a strategic multi-party MoU with Huawei Technologies UAE as part of a broader alliance including Rong Cloud, Neuxnet (Singapore), and Talk Cloud (Beijing). The collaboration establishes a framework to co-design and integrate AI-driven, cloud-based, and communication technologies tailored for the education sector, focusing on joint solution development, technology validation and pilots, training programs, and localization.
• Rong CloudflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Part of a strategic multi-party MoU signed on October 13, 2025, with Rong Cloud collaborating on AI-driven, cloud-based, and communication technologies for the education sector. Partners will co-design and integrate technologies, develop joint solutions, conduct technology validation and pilots, and pursue localization efforts across Ankabut's network of partner institutions.
• Neuxnet (Singapore)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Part of a strategic multi-party MoU signed on October 13, 2025, with Neuxnet from Singapore collaborating on AI-driven, cloud-based, and communication technologies tailored for the education sector. The partnership focuses on joint solution development, technology validation and pilots, training programs, and localization.
• Talk Cloud (Beijing)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Part of a strategic multi-party MoU signed on October 13, 2025, with Talk Cloud from Beijing collaborating on AI-driven, cloud-based, and communication technologies tailored for the education sector. The collaboration aims for rapid prototyping and pilot deployments across Ankabut's network of partner institutions.
• HuaweicoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Ankabut selected Huawei as its long-term cloud solution provider and strategic technology partner in 2019. Huawei deployed a full cloud stack solution including cloud platform, Software-Defined Networking, high-speed data center network, and all-flash storage, establishing what Ankabut claims is the best education cloud in the UAE and the entire Middle East.
• Huawei CloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationHuawei Cloud expanded its presence in the UAE through partnerships with Ankabut, which now serves over 30 educational institutions across 80 campuses using Huawei's cloud technology. Sebastian Shi, Managing Director of Huawei Cloud UAE, emphasized local data centers enabling fintech and payment companies to operate across the Middle East while meeting data residency regulations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AARNet: AARNet is Australia's NREN providing high-speed internet, cloud, and cyber security services to universities, research institutions, and schools, mirroring Ankabut's NREN-plus-platform structure in a single national market.
• CANARIE: CANARIE operates Canada's NREN and offers cloud, identity, and managed research data services to Canadian universities and research organizations, making it a strong functional and scale analog to Ankabut.
• NORDUNet: NORDUNet is the joint Nordic NREN connecting national research networks across the Nordic countries, sharing Ankabut's NREN mission and member-institution operating model at smaller but tighter geographic scope.
• Internet2: Internet2 operates the United States' high-performance research and education network plus cloud, identity (InCommon), and trust services, sharing Ankabut's NREN-with-cloud-services structure and US community college/university focus.
• CERNET: CERNET is China's national research and education network, the largest NREN globally, operating a high-speed backbone and providing a broad range of network services to Chinese universities and research institutes — a mega-scale NREN analog to Ankabut.
• GÉANT: GÉANT is the pan-European research and education network, operating a high-speed backbone similar to Ankabut's UAE NREN and providing cloud, identity (eduroam), and trust services to European universities and research institutions.
• SURF: SURF is the Netherlands' collaborative organization for IT in Dutch education and research, providing high-speed networking, cloud, HPC, and digital learning services — a tightly comparable full-stack NREN-plus-EdTech model.
• Jisc: Jisc is the UK NREN and a broader digital, data, and technology provider for higher education, offering Janet network connectivity, cloud services, cyber security and digital content for UK universities, research, and colleges — the closest functional analog in scale and scope to Ankabut.

Regional players

• ASREN: ASREN (Arab States Research and Education Network) is the regional umbrella NREN coordinating national NRENs across the Arab world including the UAE, making it a directly comparable regional peer in mission and EdTech infrastructure remit.
• RedCLARA: RedCLARA is the Latin American research and education network connecting national NRENs across the region, comparable to Ankabut in mission and service scope but operating across multiple Latin American countries rather than a single one.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AnkabutUAE
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ankabut
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ankabutuae

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ankabut