Tactful AI Founders Reacquire Company From Dstny

STARTUP VENTURE CAPITALJuly 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM UTC

TLDR

Tactful AI, the Egypt-born AI startup focused on customer experience (CX) management, has been reacquired by its founders, Mohamed El-Masry and Mohammed Hassan
The company, founded in 2016, offers an AI-powered platform that manages 100% of digital customer interactions in real time
With more than $5 million invested in proprietary technology, Tactful AI claims to be the first Egyptian-built AI platform specifically designed for CX management

Tactful AI, the Egypt-born AI startup focused on customer experience (CX) management, has been reacquired by its founders, Mohamed El-Masry and Mohammed Hassan, following a strategic separation from Belgian communications firm Dstny, which bought the company in 2022.

The buyback positions Tactful AI to resume independent operations with an aggressive growth strategy across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and Western Europe. The company, founded in 2016, offers an AI-powered platform that manages 100% of digital customer interactions in real time and has helped clients grow digital revenues by 15–35% within months of deployment.

With more than $5 million invested in proprietary technology, Tactful AI claims to be the first Egyptian-built AI platform specifically designed for CX management. Its tools are already in use by regional and international brands, including Fairmont, Lazurde, El Araby Group, and Erada Microfinance.

Operating development hubs in Cairo and Cambridge, Tactful AI is positioning itself as a regional alternative to global players like Genesys, Zendesk, and Intercom. The platform offers no-code flexibility, smart automation, and real-time analytics to boost customer service efficiency and revenue performance.

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Key Takeaways

Tactful AI’s reacquisition is a signal of intent from a regional tech player ready to scale. The startup’s return to independent control reflects a broader trend among MENA-based founders reclaiming their companies post-acquisition to pursue growth aligned with local market dynamics. As Gulf economies digitize rapidly, CX technologies are in high demand across sectors like finance, hospitality, and retail — Tactful AI is positioning itself to meet that need with regional insight and globally competitive AI. The startup’s deep domain expertise, paired with a platform designed for high-volume, real-time digital engagement, gives it an edge as customer-facing teams shift toward automation and personalized support. With GCC digital transformation budgets growing and global players recalibrating in emerging markets, Tactful AI is betting that its local roots and product depth can drive long-term relevance — especially as clients seek agile, AI-native alternatives to legacy software providers.

Startups

Artificial Intelligence

Tactful AI

Egypt

Acquisition