SPARQ, an AI-native game engine and creator platform based in Ras Al Khaimah’s Innovation City, has officially launched its $8.5 million seed funding round with participation from Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) scout fund. Unlike traditional tools that require extensive coding and massive studio teams, SPARQ provides an engine built from the ground up to handle complex technical tasks like networking, asset management, and monetization. By automating the heavy lifting of game production while keeping creative design control in the hands of the individual, the platform aims to empower the millions of content creators who have previously been excluded from the game development industry.

The company’s growth is fueled by two years of rigorous internal development, during which the founders invested $2.5 million of their own capital to build a robust C++ engine with AAA-grade rendering. Operating out of Innovation City—a specialized free zone for AI-driven tech—SPARQ is also establishing a new Creators Centre to attract global talent to the UAE. With the support of high-profile investors and the regional backing of Sheikh Ali Al Qasimi, SPARQ is positioning itself to disrupt the $300 billion gaming market, moving away from complex, gatekept workflows toward a more accessible future for creators worldwide.