Some good news to share. BlockWill has won the first Pitch Day hosted by AI and Quantum International Hub, UAE (AIQUAINT). Seven startups pitched live on 13 October 2026. AIQUAINT announced the result later in October, and Ishan Shukla, Co-Founder of BlockWill, was the one presenting to the jury.

On stage at the first AIQUAINT Pitch Day in Dubai
On stage at the first AIQUAINT Pitch Day in Dubai

What is the AIQUAINT Pitch Day?

It's a live startup pitch event run by AI and Quantum International Hub, UAE (AIQUAINT). AIQUAINT is a UAE-based hub that teaches AI and quantum skills and supports deep-tech startups. The October 2026 event was the very first edition, and seven startups pitched live to a jury from Elevix, iACCEL GBI, ScaleUpX and LvlUp Ventures.

Pitching BlockWill to the room at the AIQUAINT Pitch Day
Pitching BlockWill to the room at the AIQUAINT Pitch Day

What does BlockWill do?

BlockWill is a DIFC-registered company. We help people record everything they've built, physical and digital, keep it secure, say what they want for it, and get it to the right people at the right time. The platform has six parts:

  • SecureVault, a zero-knowledge vault. Data is encrypted on the owner's own device, so the BlockWill team can't see it. It opens with a YubiKey hardware key and a PIN.
  • DigiWish, which records who should get each asset, in what share and on what conditions. It isn't a will. An adviser uses it to prepare a will, trust, foundation or lasting power of attorney.
  • VaultRelay, the release rules. There are three independent triggers: an executor trigger, an inactivity timer and a fixed release date.
  • Provenance Vault. It records a fingerprint of each ownership document on a public blockchain, which shows the document existed by that time and hasn't changed since. The document itself stays in the encrypted vault.
  • AILE (AI Legacy Expert), a free and private space to think through what happens if you die.
  • TALE (Tax Aware Legal Engine). It's in development for law firms and advisers, and it isn't available yet.

What is AILE?

AILE is a free tool at aile.blockwill.io, built for working through one question: "What happens if I die?" Plenty of people avoid that conversation, even with close family. It feels uncomfortable. For some, it's taboo.

AILE treats it as a conversation about responsibility, and about what you've built. It's private and supportive, and it guides you step by step towards being ready for succession. Our announcement of the win notes that both the investors and the audience applauded AILE during the pitch.

What did people say about BlockWill?

According to our announcement, Deepak Ahuja, CEO and Co-founder of Elevix and iACCEL GBI, admired the product for its vision. John Alberto, of ScaleUpX Global Hubs and LvlUp Ventures, admired it for solving a real-life problem with a real-life use case of blockchain.

Ishan Shukla said: "BlockWill exists so that no one's lifetime of work is lost to silence, paperwork or delay. Winning this Pitch Day, with investors and an audience engaging so warmly with AILE, tells us the world is ready to talk about legacy as responsibility, not fear."

A big thank you to the organisers at AIQUAINT, and to Minahil, Head of Startups Hub, for leading such a strong first edition. Thanks as well to the investors and the audience for their questions and their time. And congratulations to every startup that pitched.

Advisers: if a client keeps putting off the "what happens if I die" conversation, AILE gives them a free, private place to start before they sit down with you.

The room, the pitches and the group photo from the first AIQUAINT Pitch Day
The room, the pitches and the group photo from the first AIQUAINT Pitch Day

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the first AIQUAINT Pitch Day in the UAE?

BlockWill did. It was the first Pitch Day hosted by AI and Quantum International Hub, UAE (AIQUAINT). Seven startups pitched live on 13 October 2026, and AIQUAINT announced the result later in October 2026.

Is AILE free to use?

Yes. AILE is free at aile.blockwill.io and you don't need an account. It's a private space to think through what would happen to your family and assets if you died.

Is DigiWish a legal will?

No. DigiWish records what you intend for each asset. A lawyer turns that intent into a will, trust or foundation, and the usual signing and registration rules still apply.

Is TALE available yet?

Not yet. TALE (Tax Aware Legal Engine) is still in development for law firms and advisers.

Further reading:

  • https://www.blockwill.io/blog/what-is-blockwill
  • https://www.blockwill.io/blog/what-is-wealth-continuity
  • https://www.blockwill.io/blog/talk-to-family-about-what-happens-if-you-die
  • https://www.blockwill.io/blog/certificate-of-immutability

Sources:

  • AIQUAINT on Instagram, Founders, jury, and a full room: AIQUAINT's first Pitch Day is in the books! (Oct 2026): https://www.instagram.com/p/Deo7w5hiPW2/
  • AIQUAINT on Instagram, AI & Quantum Pitch Day - Your Shot at the Jury! (Sep 2026): https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd6ot0loT2W/
  • AIQUAINT, AI and Quantum International Hub - Intelligence Without Borders: https://aiquainthub.com/
  • BlockWill, Data Archival and Data Retention Policy (May 2026): https://www.blockwill.io/data-retention-policy
  • BlockWill, AILE: https://aile.blockwill.io
  • LinkedIn, Deepak Ahuja - Elevix: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/deepak-ahuja-bb5441a
  • Deepak Ahuja on LinkedIn, Elevix at AIQUAINT Pitch Day as Jury Member (Oct 2026): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deepak-ahuja-bb5441a_jury-startups-ai-activity-7511619050406465536-ZpJV
  • AIQUAINT on LinkedIn, Announcing our new AIQUAINT Community Leader (Aug 2026): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aiquaint_aiquaint-startups-aiinnovation-activity-7495487273266958336-_fWn