GAGA Lands $2.5M to Revolutionise Saudi Edtech with Live Learning

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 25-03-2026

3 min

Saudi edtech startup GAGA raised $2,5m in a Pre-Series A round.

Total funding reaches $4,2m, led by Phoenix Venture Partners.

The platform delivers “live, interactive” classes across 1,000 programmes.

It uses AI to assess levels and personalise learning paths.

Funds will expand teachers, technology, and access across Saudi Arabia.

Saudi edtech startup GAGA has secured $2.5 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Phoenix Venture Partners, with participation from several family offices and regional investors. The fresh capital brings the company’s total funding to around $4.2 million, following an earlier $1.7 million raise.

In a market where private tutoring is almost a rite of passage for many families, this feels significant. I’ve spoken to more than a few founders across the region who say building trust in online learning can be a bit of a faff, especially when parents are used to face-to-face sessions at the kitchen table. GAGA seems to be betting that live, interactive classes can bridge that gap.

Founded by Abdullah Alkharsani and Eyad Alshabaan, GAGA focuses on delivering live online education programmes with what it describes as high-quality content. The platform says it now offers more than 1,000 educational programmes covering over 200 academic and skills-based subjects. Its digital environment connects students directly with teachers, with an emphasis on real-time interaction rather than pre-recorded, passive content.

And believe it or not, that live element is where many startups struggle. Scaling teachers while keeping quality “spot on” is no small task. GAGA appears to be leaning heavily into technology to manage that challenge. The company is investing in artificial intelligence tools designed to assess each student’s level and identify learning gaps, allowing for a more tailored educational path that blends human teaching with AI-driven insights.

Commenting on the funding, co-founder and CEO Abdullah Alkharsani said the round marks an important step in GAGA’s mission to enable every family in Saudi Arabia to access high-quality live education. With Phoenix Venture Partners on board, he noted that the company plans to expand its network of teachers, enhance its programmes, and further develop its technology to reach more students across the Kingdom.

From the investor side, Steve Khayat, founder and CEO of Phoenix Venture Partners, said the investment reflects confidence in the team and its ambition. He highlighted GAGA’s role in improving educational content and making interactive Arabic-language learning more accessible, adding that the platform represents a modern model that fosters deeper student engagement.

Phoenix Venture Partners, headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), invests through its Phoenix Venture Partners Innovation Fund (CEIC) Limited. The fund targets early-stage technology startups across sectors including fintech, insurtech, healthtech, edtech, logistics tech, agrifood tech, and energy and sustainability, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa while maintaining a global outlook.

GAGA, for its part, serves students aged four to 18 and positions itself as a modern alternative to traditional private tutoring and non-interactive digital content. That’s a crowded space, no doubt. On the flip side, demand for tailored, Arabic-first digital education in Saudi Arabia is growing fast. I reckon startups that manage to mix cultural relevance with solid tech infrastructure stand a real chance.

At Arageek, we’ve always believed empowering young learners and founders goes hand in hand. Seeing regional capital back platforms like GAGA is, well… quietly encouraging. The road ahead will not be easy, but the direction feels clear, and that’s definately worth watching.

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