Valka.ai, a Czech startup developing interactive AI avatars, has raised €12 million (nearly 300 million CZK) in a pre-seed round led by Rockaway Ventures, marking the largest pre-seed investment in a Czech-founded startup. JT Ventures, Tensor Ventures, BD Partners and Fond Naše Česko also participated. Founded by Vlastimil Venclík as a spin-off from esports data company Oddin.gg, Valka.ai creates digital avatars capable of real-time reactions, emotions and natural communication, including sports commentary. The technology combines image quality with speed and genuine real-time interactivity. The company plans to deploy avatars in esports, sports broadcasting and gaming sectors. The funding will support research team expansion, technology development and initial commercial deployments in sports and esports markets where it already has distribution access.

13,000 strong: AIBC Eurasia 2026 sets the stage for a bigger 2027. Dubai, United Emirates, February 17th, 2026, PlayNewswire Six years after its 2021 launch in Dubai, AIBC Eurasia welcomed 13,000 delegates to the 2026 event, held this week at Dubai Festival City. The summit reflected continued international participation and sector-wide engagement. Expansion Plans for 2027 The 2027 edition is expected to host 14,000 delegates from MENA and international markets. In addition to Dubai, the summit will extend to Ras Al Khaimah, where a full-day workshop and tour of Wynn Al Marjan Island is scheduled ahead of the Dubai programme. The new Wynn resort, with works expected to conclude by Q1 2027, is anticipated to be among the focal points of the visit. Awards and Philanthropy The AIBC Awards, powered by Oddin.gg, included two charitable auctions in support of the SiGMA Foundation, the Group's philanthropic arm. During the event, more than €100,000 was raised through bids. This year's supported projects focus on healthcare and education initiatives. A percentage of ticket sales from the event is allocated to the Foundation. Several bidders were also recognised during the awards ceremony. Haddzy received the Best Streamer 2026 award. SoftConstruct, the technology solutions provider powering this year's summit, secured three artworks during the Eurasia Auction. Other award recipients included SOFTSWISS, named Best Aggregator, and Payment Center, awarded Best Payment Provider. Riddicks Partners received Best Multi-Vertical Affiliate Network for 2026. Bilyan Balinof, Founder and CEO of Vegas Legends, was recognised for his contribution to the industry. During the Hall of Game segment, Payment Center Founder Arsen Akopyan was acknowledged alongside Vigen Badalyan, Co-Founder of SoftConstruct. Networking and Social Events Networking events formed a key part of the programme. The SiGMA Nexus Elite Golf Tour, powered by ATFX, took place at the Trump International Golf Club on 9 February. Forty tee times were secured, forming ten four-ball teams in a shotgun-start format. Play began at 10:00 and continued through eighteen holes, with scheduled breaks for breakfast and lunch. Prizes included a Rolex watch and, through ATFX's patronage of The Duke of Edinburgh Cup, three qualifying seats for the Duke of Edinburgh Cup. Delegates also participated in a yacht networking event aboard the Dutch Oriental megayacht, Lotus, departing from Dubai Marina. The SiGMA Closing Party was held at Helipad by Frozen Cherry, a venue converted from a former landing pad offering panoramic city views. The event featured performances headlined by iLee, alongside JEA, Heroine, and Yuliya Sehen. Government and Diplomatic Participation SiGMA Group hosted a government and diplomatic delegation of nearly 70 representatives during AIBC Eurasia 2026. The delegation included attendees from royal offices, government agencies, regulatory bodies, and embassies. Participants engaged in curated exhibition tours, bilateral meetings with operators, conference sessions, the AIBC Awards Night, and private networking dinners. The programme was structured to facilitate dialogue between public sector representatives and private industry stakeholders, with discussions covering regulatory frameworks, innovation, and industry trends. The summit also featured an appearance by Blaise Matuidi, Paris Saint-Germain legend and 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, who attended at the 1x booth on 11 February. Conference Themes and Industry Dialogue Conference sessions began on 9 February at the Vista Lounge and continued on 10 - 11 February at the Festival Arena. Panels, demonstrations, and keynote presentations addressed developments in blockchain, artificial intelligence, regulation, and innovation. One recurring theme focused on accessibility challenges between blockchain technology and everyday users. Mattiaw Mende, Founder and CEO of Bonuz, discussed the potential of Web3 technologies to address this divide. The industry, he noted, remains in its early stages: "Blockchain has traditionally always been used "The jargon feels alienating. The solution is not to replace systems, but to stabilize them. Blockchain has superpowers that go far beyond fintech." Benjamin Notini, Co-Founder of Xtrends, highlighted educational barriers within the sector during a panel at the Vista Lounge. "Most people don't know how to use crypto," he said, adding that this additional educational layer contributes to trust gaps in traditional marketing approaches because "they're not really trusted." Paul Dawalibi, CEO of Innovation City, discussed the positioning of Ras Al Khaimah as an emerging technology hub. "We think that RAK is no longer a place, but a platform." Describing what he termed "business nirvana," Dawalibi added: "we want to 'take away the friction, so innovators can focus on what they do best - inventing and building the future." Free zones, he concluded, are evolving beyond administrative hubs to function as innovation engines. "History will remember this decade as the one where technology's center of power has shifted. It is moving from West to East. The global tech hubs we all think of today are moving, the talent, the ideas - it's all moving East." H.E. Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa addressed the broader societal implications of technological advancement, stating that society is "living through a defining moment in human history, where intelligence is no longer confined to the human mind." "In the UAE, the future is not something Icoannouncement wait for, but something Icoannouncement deliberately design.' Addressing ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence, she added: "Ambition without ethics is fragile, intelligence without leadership is dangerous. The future belongs to those who lead with values, and we are ready to lead it." SiGMA Africa is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 03 - 05 March 2026, with approximately 3,000 delegates expected to attend. The event is supported by more than 15 regulatory authorities and will include roundtables, strategic discussions, and workshops focused on compliance frameworks and cross-border regulatory dialogue. About AIBC AIBC is a global platform dedicated to emerging technologies, bringing together leaders, innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs from sectors such as AI, blockchain, fintech, and other frontier tech industries. Through international summits, exhibitions, and networking events, AIBC fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business opportunities, creating a space where innovation meets real-world application and industry growth. Contact. Media administrator Gustavo Souza AIBC World [email protected]