Airlift co-founder Usman Gul’s AI startup Metal raises $4.5mn seed

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan-based startup Metal has closed a $4.5 million seed round, with a16z Speedrun and Y Combinator leading the investment. Its founder and chief executive, Usman Gul, who also co-founded Airlift, disclosed the deal in a social media post.

Metal describes itself as an AI operating system that helps founders handle fundraising and venture capital workflows. The platform aims to supply analytical depth and automation for startup funding rounds. Gul also named Pioneer Fund, Rebel Fund, Gaingels, Indus Valley Capital, Team Ignite Ventures and Phaze Ventures as participants, alongside others.

According to Gul, the company expects to finish FY2026 with yearly revenue running into the millions of dollars, following six straight quarters in which revenue rose by 30-80% on a quarterly basis. Metal has also published a thesis on how private capital markets are expected to evolve in the coming years. Rebel Fund had earlier made a strategic investment in the company in June.