From architecture to robots
ElSayed holds a degree in architecture from the American University of Sharjah and a master's in architecture and urbanism. After finishing his master's in 2014 he joined Zaha Hadid Architects, where he became a lead designer in the computation and design group.1
He is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and still tutors in the Design Research Lab of the Architectural Association in London.1
Building Automata
He left Zaha Hadid to found Automata with colleague Suryansh Chandra. The company first made affordable robotic arms, then turned to lab automation for the life sciences.1
In January 2026 Automata raised a $45 million Series C led by Dimension, with Danaher as a strategic investor. ElSayed described the company as building the operating layer between AI models and the physical lab.2
Group accounts filed at Companies House show turnover of £6.1 million for the year to March 31, 2025, up from £4.1 million the year before.3
AI-first biology requires fundamentally different infrastructure.Automata Series C announcement
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Photo: Automata, About us.
