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Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

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Saudi Arabia shone at the 2025 Global Youth Summit, focusing on youth leadership in technology. 
Led by Shahad Al-Balawi and Engineer Rakan Al-Anazi, they championed youth as change agents. 
Key discussions included digital empowerment and AI, highlighting the importance of youth education. 
Saudi initiatives like &#8220;Generation Connect&#8221; emphasised collaboration with young people for future tech progress. 
The summit reinforced Saudi&#8217;s commitment to youth development and technological innovation.

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Arabian Pay secured funding from Al Bassami Holding Group, enhancing financial inclusion for Saudi SMEs. 
The startup develops a &#8220;buy now, pay later&#8221; service to ease SMEs&#8217; cash flow issues. 
Their solution allows businesses to split supplier payments into three interest-free instalments. 
Beyond funding, the partnership offers strategic collaboration with Al Bassami&#8217;s logistics expertise. 
With new resources, Arabian Pay aims to enhance its platform for smarter SME payment solutions.

Aman is set to raise $2 billion for global luxury hotel expansion. 
Recent investments include $900 million from Saudi Arabia&#8217;s PIF and Cain International. 
Aman has 23 hotel projects planned, targeting Middle Eastern and African markets. 
The brand&#8217;s understated luxury appeals to affluent individuals and private clientele. 
Middle Eastern demand for personalised experiences drives luxury hospitality trends.

Saudi Aramco and Siemens Energy launched a pilot project for Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. 
The pilot DAC plant can remove 12 tonnes of CO2 annually, aiding Saudi Arabia&#8217;s climate efforts. 
CO2 extracted can be used for producing sustainable chemicals and fuels, enhancing resource efficiency. 
The project aims to pave the way for large-scale DAC deployment, aligning with net-zero goals. 
Aramco&#8217;s initiative is part of a circular carbon economy approach, potentially impacting climate change positively.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office has partnered with Gushcloud to boost the influencer economy. 
The venture is set to create over 100 jobs in finance, technology, and IP management. 
Gushcloud plans to launch a &#8220;Creative Ventures&#8221; programme to support digital content creators. 
Abu Dhabi aims to develop a vibrant digital media ecosystem, attracting global creative talent. 
This collaboration strengthens Abu Dhabi&#8217;s position as a global digital and media innovation hub.

ZTE Corporation partners with TAWAL to drive digital transformation in Saudi Arabia. 
The strategic deal focuses on telecom infrastructure, digital energy, and enhanced tower management. 
Collaboration aims to bolster TAWAL&#8217;s digital innovation both locally and internationally. 
Leaders from both companies express enthusiasm for empowering businesses through advanced technologies. 
The partnership anticipates navigating challenges in a competitive digital landscape.

Tech companies often see their market value drop right after going public. 
Before IPO, investor optimism overshadows scrutiny, which hits hard once companies go public. 
Public market demands reveal financial weaknesses, challenging prior inflated valuations. 
Broader economic factors and inflated pre-IPO valuations often dampen initial enthusiasm. 
Post-IPO, strong fundamentals and sustainable growth are crucial for long-term success.

ClearGrid aims to revolutionise debt collection in MENA with data-driven empathy. 
The fintech startup raised $10 million from top investors, including Raed Ventures and Aramco&#8217;s Waed Ventures. 
ClearGrid uses AI to automate collections, reducing costs and borrower anxiety in the UAE. 
The startup plans expansion into Saudi Arabia, seeking to modernise debt management further. 
Future plans include comprehensive AI-driven solutions for early risk detection and debt prevention.

Venture capital&#8217;s &#8220;carry&#8221; is profit for fund managers once investors recoup their capital. 
Typically around 20%, carry aligns the interests of both managers and investors effectively. 
Understanding carry rewards encourages fund managers to choose investments wisely. 
Alballaa likens it to sharing bills: recognition goes to those who organise successfully. 
Such insights make venture capital more comprehensible, enhancing clarity for investors.

Saudi Arabia launches &#8220;Sanbulah,&#8221; a food tech incubator, to support early-stage local startups. 
The programme provides funding, mentoring, and training for pre-seed to pre-MVP phase companies. 
Sanbulah supports Saudi economic diversification and believes in food tech&#8217;s potential for growth. 
Entrepreneurs have until 6 April 2025 to apply via the Ministry&#8217;s online portal. 
This initiative offers startups a chance to take food tech innovations from concept to market.

TBS Holding partners with Shahia Investments to build a bakery plant in Saudi Arabia by 2026. 
The facility will produce fresh and frozen bakery products using cutting-edge technology. 
This venture aims to strengthen market presence and meet Saudi consumer tastes. 
It expects to boost economic growth in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. 
Regulatory support from Saudi authorities facilitates the project&#8217;s smooth implementation.

Saudi Arabia leads the region in start-up investment with strong support for tech and innovation. 
Egypt is vibrant with digital transformation, particularly in fintech and digital services. The UAE remains a top destination for start-ups, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Arabia&#8217;s credit rating was upgraded to &#8220;A+&#8221; by S&#038;P due to economic reforms. Vision 2030 efforts have increased institutional transparency, improving governance. Challenges include falling oil prices, expected to reach $70 per barrel by 2025. Despite potential fiscal deficits, non-oil economic sectors show strong growth. Saudi Aramco&#8217;s ventures continue, supporting Vision 2030 through investments and share offerings.

Checkout,com partners with Tabby to launch buy now, pay later services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Merchants can integrate Tabby&#8217;s BNPL solution directly at checkout to boost customer loyalty. BNPL adoption in the Middle East has surged 62% in a year, promising future growth. UAE and Saudi adoption rates are 39% and 42% respectively, amid rising online shopping trends. This partnership offers consumers flexible payments, enhancing consumer choice and retailer sales.

IDEMIA will establish IDEMIA Road Safety Ltd – Saudi Arabia to manufacture road safety products domestically.
A joint research and development (R&amp;D) program will focus on AI-driven traffic solutions.
Experts will conduct training sessions to enhance Saudi professionals’ technical skills.
The agreement supports local supply chains and operational efficiency.
Future expansion plans include broader technological collaboration.

Impact46 sold 13,296,836 shares of Rasan, equivalent to 17,16% of the company’s total capital. 
The deal, valued at 918 million riyals, sets the share price at 69 riyals, a 4% discount from the previous day’s closing price. 
The sale attracted significant interest from both local and international investors, with the offering being oversubscribed. 
This move aligns with Impact46&#8217;s strategy of supporting high-growth startups while reallocating capital to future opportunities. 
The sale marks another successful exit for Impact46, which has previously completed profitable exits with companies like Jahez, Tamara, and Lendo.Impact46 Sells Entire Stake in Rasan Technology for 918 Million Riyals

Aya, a Saudi e-commerce platform, raised $1,6 million in a seed funding round. 
The round was led by Khwarizmi Ventures, with participation from Raed Ventures, Joa Capital, and FENA Holdings. 
Aya seeks to unify the fragmented modest fashion market with a trend-driven discovery platform. 
The startup aims to use the funding for product development, market expansion, and improving customer experience. 
Co-founder and CEO Munira Al Kadi calls the investment a &#8220;validation of Aya’s bold vision&#8221; to transform the industry.

Summer Nasruddin, founder of the Summer Nasruddin brand, won the top prize of $20,000. 
Hind Fahd of SEZA secured second place with a $15,000 grant. 
Amal Abdullah of Linen won the People’s Choice Award, receiving $10,000. 
The awards were announced at a special event held at Saudi First Tower in Riyadh. 
The initiative aims to empower female entrepreneurs by offering funding, mentorship, and training opportunities.

.Ajras secures $1,5 million in a pre-Series A round led by Veda Holding
.Introduces a “Rent Now, Pay Later” model to streamline rent payments
.Focuses on commercial and industrial property management
.The Saudi proptech sector is experiencing rapid growth due to Vision 2030
.Ajras had previously raised $28 million in November 2023

Ninja aims to raise over $1 billion in fresh funding, led by Riyad Capital. 
The investment would position it as one of the Middle East’s most valuable logistics startups. 
The company has ambitious plans for an IPO in 2027, subject to market conditions. 
Ninja has expanded operations across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. 
Riyad Capital’s backing aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 push for a digital economy.

SVC has invested in the Artal Growth Opportunities Fund, a closed private equity fund regulated by the Saudi Capital Market Authority. 
The fund, managed by Artal Capital, targets high-growth businesses, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region. 
It provides capital and strategic support to drive commercial expansion, enhance governance, and optimize internal operations. 
The investment focus is on technology-driven sectors with strong innovation potential. 
SVC, established in 2018 under the SME Bank, plays a key role in funding startups and SMEs from early growth stages to pre-IPO rounds.