Madinah Hubs Makes Bold Move with SBTL Acquisition to Boost Ecosystem

Madinah Hubs, the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem based in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, has completed its first strategic investment and partial acquisition through its investment arm, Uhud Investments. The deal targets SBTL, a company focused on building transformation systems in leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, in partnership with its founder and chief executive, Eng. Sayed Ahmed Sayed.

For anyone who has been watching the Saudi startup scene closely, this feels like more than just another transaction. It marks the beginning of a broader ambition by Madinah Hubs to stitch together investment, capability building and venture development under one roof. And believe it or not, that kind of integration is still a bit of a rarity outside the main hubs like Riyadh.

SBTL is not exactly new to the ecosystem. Over the past few years, the company has supported more than 3,000 beneficiaries, launched and delivered upwards of 120 specialised programmes and initiatives, and worked with over 200 organisations and ecosystems. In practical terms, that has translated into more than 12,500 hours of programmes, workshops, hackathons and capacity-building experiences. Those are not just impressive figures on paper; they suggest a steady, hands-on presence in shaping entrepreneurial mindsets.

Since its launch at the start of 2026 under the leadership of Hassan bin Abdullah Jabarti, Madinah Hubs has been working to build what it describes as a fully integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem. This has included programmes to turn ideas into ventures, efforts to strengthen venture capital activity, and initiatives to connect founders with opportunities and enablers. I’ve seen similar attempts in other MENA cities, and when it works, it can be spot on. When it doesn’t, well… I mean, it becomes all talk and no traction.

Commenting on the move, Hassan bin Abdullah Jabarti said the investment in SBTL “is not merely a financial transaction, but a strategic step to unify two ecosystems that believe Al Madinah can become a global entrepreneurial model.” He added that SBTL has built a strong foundation over recent years, and that the role of Madinah Hubs now is to expand and accelerate that impact.

For his part, Eng. Sayed Ahmed Sayed described the partnership as the start of a new phase of growth and development, aimed not only at expansion but at building systems capable of delivering real and sustainable impact for individuals, organisations and startups.

On the flip side, partnerships like this always come with expectations. The real test will be whether the combined entity can translate programmes and workshops into scalable ventures and measurable economic impact. That’s where many ecosystems hit a wall, especially when ambition runs ahead of execution.

Still, I reckon this first step by Madinah Hubs signals a clear intention to build an investment portfolio focused on impact-driven entities. For readers of Arageek who care about how regional ecosystems evolve, this one is worth keeping an eye on. Madinah may not have always been the loudest player in the Saudi startup conversation, but it is definately positioning itself to be taken seriously. And sometimes, that quiet, steady build-up is what makes all the difference.

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