InstaDeep

InstaDeep is a Tunisian startup specializing in artificial intelligence, founded in 2014 by Karim Beguir and Zohra Slim.^[1][2] It is based in London and is a subsidiary of BioNTech.^[1]

The company is particularly known for developing an early warning system for detecting COVID-19 variants.^[3]

History

InstaDeep was founded in 2014 by Karim Beguir, a polytechnic engineer with a degree in applied mathematics from New York University, and Zohra Slim, a technology enthusiast and former director of a digital communication agency. The company focuses on developing artificial intelligence driven solutions.^[4] In 2019, InstaDeep raised $7 million in a Series A funding round from AfricInvest and Effort Catalyseur.^[2]

As of 2024^[update] the company had offices in London, Paris, Tunis, Lagos, Dubai, Berlin, Boston, Cape Town, San Francisco, and Kigali.^[2][5] In April 2021, InstaDeep became an official NVIDIA supplier, recognized for its expertise in GPU-based AI solutions.^[6] In August 2022, in partnership with Google and the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, InstaDeep organized "AI Hack Tunisia", the largest artificial intelligence and machine learning hackathon in the MENA region.^[7] In January 2023, BioNTech acquired InstaDeep for €636 million.^[8][9]

In September 2023, InstaDeep and Gomycode launched an artificial intelligence school in Tataouine, Tunisia, aimed at training young professionals in AI technologies.^[10] On June 18, 2024, InstaDeep and Syngenta announced a collaboration in the agricultural sector.^[11] In September 2024, in partnership with Google, InstaDeep launched a new version of its chip design platform.^[12]

Partnerships

InstaDeep collaborates with several leading companies and research institutions, including Google DeepMind, Nvidia, and the University of Oxford, to develop advanced artificial intelligence solutions.^[1][3][13]