HIT Grading: The Next Generation of AI-Powered Grading Systems, Built for Global Impact

For decades, the global collectibles industry has relied on slow, costly, and often subjective grading systems. Shipping valuable items across the world for inspection posed risks of damage, delays, and rising costs. Now, a new era is emerging with HIT Grading & Authentication (HIT GCC), a revolutionary hybrid system designed to meet the needs of collectors worldwide. This cutting-edge solution combines the precision of AI with the expertise of human graders, delivering an accurate, secure, and faster service.

A Groundbreaking Technology with Global Implications

HIT is the world’s first grading platform to seamlessly merge AI-driven analytics and human expert evaluation. By integrating these elements, HIT addresses the inefficiencies of traditional grading processes and establishes new global standards of accuracy. This hybrid approach ensures that collectors no longer need to ship items across continents, avoiding risks like damage, insurance loss, and customs complications.

The platform leverages:

• AI Technology: 3D surface mapping, center and edge geometry scans, scratch and bend detection, color accuracy, and secure digital documentation.

• Conventional Human Grading: Expertise in visual inspection, authenticity analysis, print validation, and final certification.

This dual-system approach eliminates subjectivity, providing faster and more reliable grading results, making it a game-changer for the industry.

A Locally Developed System with Global Reach

What sets HIT apart is its development within the UAE, tapping into local expertise to serve global needs. The system has been meticulously designed to offer efficient and secure grading services not only in the Middle East but also in regions like North America, Europe, and beyond. By combining advanced technology with strategic local infrastructure, HIT ensures collectors worldwide have access to the highest standards in grading.

Industry Recognition & Leadership

HIT Grading’s leadership in the collectibles space has earned significant industry recognition. Dr. Rashed Al Farooq, the visionary Founder & CEO of HIT Grading, has garnered accolades for his contributions to technology-driven innovation. In December 2025, he was nominated as CEO of the Year by CEO Monthly Magazine and was featured in the magazine's December issue, highlighting his leadership in advancing global grading standards. Furthermore, Dr. Al Farooq was named among the Top 10 Most Influential Entrepreneurs of 2025 by Rolling Stone MENA, a testament to his influence in shaping the future of the collectibles industry.

HIT’s exceptional growth and commitment to innovation were also recognized when the company recently won the Best Pop-Culture Ecosystem in the Middle East of 2025 award by Best of Best Reviews. Under Dr. Al Farooq's leadership, Speedy Comics Group, HIT's parent company, has revolutionized the region’s pop-culture landscape, blending collectibles, entertainment, and fan engagement into a dynamic cultural movement. This recognition further solidifies HIT’s position as a technological leader in the global collectibles market.

A Statement from the Founder

Dr. Rashed Al Farooq, Founder & CEO, shares the mission of HIT:
“HIT was created to bring the highest standards of grading and authentication to collectors everywhere. Our goal is not to compete with the world; it is to set new global standards and prove that excellence in innovation and technology can emerge from anywhere.”

Solving the Challenges of International Grading

Before HIT, collectors in the region faced significant challenges when sending valuable items abroad for grading, including:

• Long delays

• High shipping costs

• The risk of damage during transit

HIT’s local presence in the UAE ensures that these challenges are eliminated. With AI-assisted accuracy and expert human validation, HIT offers a rapid 15-day turnaround time for grading. Collectors no longer need to worry about international shipping—everything can be done locally in a safe and secure environment.

Speed, Accuracy, Security, Reinvented

HIT offers a seamless experience that enhances the entire grading process:

• AI-assisted accuracy

• Expert human validation

• 15-day average turnaround

• Secure slabs and holograms

• Flat-rate transparent pricing

• Digital record tracking

This service isn’t just faster; it’s fundamentally better, providing an all-around superior experience for collectors.

Expanding to Serve a Global Market

HIT's ambition to transform the collectibles industry doesn’t stop at the UAE. The system is expanding to serve collectors across multiple regions, including:

• Saudi Arabia

• Qatar

• Kuwait

• Bahrain

• Egypt

• India

• Pakistan

• Europe

• North America

As HIT continues to expand its global reach, it will further redefine the standards of grading and authentication, making high-quality grading services accessible to collectors worldwide.

Transforming the Global Collectibles Market

HIT is reshaping how the global collectibles market operates by:

• Redefining valuation standards

• Elevating market trust

• Protecting collectors

• Supporting trade and boosting liquidity

• Strengthening authenticity across the industry

HIT’s ability to blend cutting-edge technology with human expertise has made it an essential service for global collectors, setting new standards for accuracy, speed, and reliability.

From its innovative hybrid grading system to its rapid expansion across the globe, HIT Grading is defining the future of the collectibles industry. With a strong technological foundation and a commitment to excellence, HIT is not only changing how items are graded but also creating a new era of trust and transparency in the collectibles market. This is just the beginning.

As HIT continues to push boundaries and set new global standards, it proves that innovation and excellence can emerge from anywhere, making it clear that the future of grading is here, and it’s faster, smarter, and more reliable than ever before.

In addition to these milestones, the recent recognition of Speedy Comics Group as the Best Pop-Culture Ecosystem in the Middle East of 2025 demonstrates the growing influence of Dr. Rashed Al Farooq’s leadership. This award highlights how HIT’s technological innovations contribute to the larger pop-culture ecosystem, bridging the gap between collectibles, entertainment, and global fandom in the Middle East and beyond.

For more information, visit the following links:
Dr. Rashed Al Farooq LinkedIn
Speedy Comics Group Website