Mila Celebrations Lands $5M Deal with Rodyan to Revolutionise Saudi Event Planning

Mila Celebrations, the Saudi platform that’s making waves in AI-powered event planning, has struck a new strategic deal worth a solid $5 million with Rodyan Group — a name well known in corporate event management circles. Now, this isn’t just another funding headline thrown into the mix. It’s a calculated move to speed up the digitisation of the events industry, blending smart technology with hands-on operational know‑how.

According to the company’s release, the partnership aims to modernise how events are organised and create a more connected experience for both users and suppliers on Mila’s growing platform. And it comes at a good time — Saudi Arabia’s event management market is valued at around $9.5 billion, expected to double to over $19 billion by 2033. The numbers from the General Entertainment Authority paint the picture nicely: more than 72 million people attended events across the Kingdom in 2023. I mean, that’s a lot of confetti.

I remember visiting a local startup showcase in Riyadh last year, organised entirely through a digital platform. It wasn’t Mila, but the experience made me realise just how ripe the Saudi market is for this kind of tech-driven transformation. So, when I read about this partnership, it felt spot on.

Mohammed Gharbal, Mila’s co‑founder and CEO, described the tie‑up as “more than a financial investment”, saying it’s about reshaping how people experience event planning — a single app that blends smart tech and operational expertise into a seamless journey. On the flip side, Rodyan’s CEO, Mohammed Al‑Salman, highlighted that what drew them in was Mila’s ability to let clients manage every step — from concept to execution — through an AI‑powered digital interface. And frankly, that sounds like less of a faff than traditional planning.

By joining forces, Mila Celebrations is eyeing a 200% boost in annual bookings by 2026 and aims to double its network of partners. Not a small ambition by any stretch. Rodyan, with its roots deep in the Saudi events scene, brings practical field experience to complement Mila’s flexible tech foundation.

At Arageek, we’ve often seen how a well‑timed collaboration between tech innovators and on‑ground experts can change the game for startups across MENA. I reckon this one could do just that. And if it plays out as planned, it might just redefine what “event planning” means in the Gulf — with fewer headaches and, hopefully, fewer last‑minute panics… you know?

Either way, the partnership signals a confident step towards a more streamlined and smarter events ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, perfectly aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 push for digital transformation. Quite chuffed to bits to see local players thinking that big, really — even if getting there won’t be all smooth sailing. But then again, who ever said innovation was easy, right?

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