Top Startup Investors in Riyadh

Riyadh’s startup scene is, frankly, buzzing. Over the last few years, the city has transformed into one of the region’s hottest hubs for entrepreneurs and early-stage startups chasing growth. The numbers don’t lie: in 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia snapped up $750 million in VC funding—right at the top of the Middle East pile. For founders, nailing down the right investors and getting access to top venture capital is crucial—especially if you want to move past bootstrapping and turn that pitch deck into a reality.

Below you’ll find a sharp, no-nonsense guide to key VC firms fuelling this ecosystem, listed A–Z so there’s no “favourite’s first” nonsense. If you’re lost in the world of funding rounds and cap tables, keep reading. Big hat-tip to Arageek for data, by the way.

If you’re building in SaaS, fintech or anything that smells like a digital marketplace, Derayah Venture Capital could be exactly your kind of partner. This closed-ended, Sharia-compliant fund sits under Derayah Financial—one of the country’s first digital-first investment firms. They’re keen on proper early-stage bets, with a sharp eye for scalable business models and solid founding teams. Don’t expect empty money; Derayah brings real expertise and deep links across the MENA region. Apply directly on their website—no faff, just a form and your info.

Impact46 stands out as one of Saudi’s first proper VC-authorised asset managers, and they move fast. Set up in 2019, they wasted no time getting involved in the country’s top tech startups—whether in SaaS, fintech, or delivery. Their recent foray into a dedicated gaming fund shows they’re not afraid to specialise when the moment’s right. They tend to lead funding rounds, not just join them, and have a knack for spotting winners like Jahez and Tamara. No stuffy corporate attitude—just sharp, strategic investors who want local entrepreneurs to win big.

If you’re the sort who dreams in algorithms, Khwarizmi Ventures should be on your radar. They back startups using tech to solve big, knotted problems—think machine learning, data science, all that clever stuff. With a focus on software, e-commerce, and fintech, they’re across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE. The team isn’t flashy, but their ambition is obvious: invest in passionate builders who can put algorithms to practical use.

Not your average VC, Oqal Group connects angel investors with new founders forming cross-generational, high-impact partnerships. Born as an endowment by a crew of ambitious young business folks, Oqal isn’t obsessed with unicorns—they want economic feasibility and a bit of societal good. If you want angels who see startups as more than just line items on a cap table, worth a look.

Prosperity7's Riyadh office stands as a powerful bridge between the Kingdom’s bold vision and the world’s next big tech frontiers. Anchored in Aramco Ventures' global strategy, the Riyadh team taps into the $3 billion fund with a sharp eye for disruptive technologies—from deep tech to digital health. Being at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s thriving innovation ecosystem gives them a front-row seat to regional growth, while still thinking globally. If your venture fits their ambition for long-term, transformative impact, Riyadh could be your launchpad to the world.

Raed Ventures has a proper multinational footprint—Saudi, Egypt, UAE, Jordan, even Pakistan and the US on their map. They’re sector-agnostic in principle, though fintech, retail tech, and logistics seem to get special attention. If your dream is to make a mark well beyond Riyadh, Raed can help unlock those doors. Their style is more collaborative than domineering: if you want someone to build with you, not just hand you a term sheet, worth tapping up.

Rua Growth Fund’s Riyadh office has positioned itself as a sharp and strategic backer of truly transformative tech. In 2024, it stood out as one of the earliest champions of Saudi AI success stories like Lucidya and Intelmatix, showcasing the world-class talent emerging from the Kingdom. Now, with major international mega-funds setting their sights on the region, Rua is right at the center of the action, backing startups that are redefining generative AI and building groundbreaking platforms.

STV is one of those names you’ll hear again and again. With over $800 million to deploy and major wins (Careem, Tabby, Foodics), it’s arguably the Middle East’s heavyweight. STV has a full-spectrum approach: they back early disruption but stick with you for real scale-ups too. In 2024, they even launched a new $150 million growth platform. If you’re raising a serious Series A or beyond, few can move as quickly and write cheques as big as STV.

A government-backed heavyweight, SVC was set up to put serious muscle behind Saudi’s private capital scene. Their impact is hard to overstate: over 800 startups and SMEs have landed funding via SVC’s partnerships with other funds. They’re sector-agnostic, and their war chest is genuinely huge ($4.8BN all-in). If you’re tapping into government-backed funds (or want to be a pioneer for Saudi Vision 2030), this is the one to watch.

For scrappy early founders hungry for real help, SEEDRA Ventures does more than write cheques: you’ll get hands-on support deep into your Series A. Their investment thesis is straightforward—if your analytics, fintech, or predictive tech startup shows promise, they’ll jump in early and ride out the growing pains with you. They focus on Saudi, Egypt, and the UAE, which means doors can open beyond the Kingdom if you play it right.

A fast-rising force not just in Riyadh but across MENA, Shorooq calls itself a “founder’s partner” and has collected awards for its impressive speed and deal flow. The firm shows a clear preference for fintech, platforms, and anything software-driven. Its recent expansion into Korea highlights just how global its ambitions have become. If you're looking for real value-add beyond capital, Shorooq stands out—offering powerful introductions and hands-on business advice to help you build and scale.

In Riyadh, Sukna Ventures stands out for its clear-eyed focus on backing tech startups with tangible exit strategies. The firm openly champions the push for more IPOs and M&A activity, seeing them as essential to fueling the next phase of Saudi Arabia’s startup growth. Led by seasoned general partners, Sukna is committed to building a strong deal flow not just in the capital, but across the Kingdom. Their deep local knowledge makes them a key player to watch—and founders would be wise to learn firsthand what criteria they believe defines a truly fundable venture.

Sitting at the intersection of government priorities and commercial ambition, TAQNIA targets technology investments that contribute to Saudi's economic diversification. Sector-agnostic, they’re less flash, more function—if your startup’s mission aligns with the Vision 2030 playbook, you’ll likely spark their interest. A good choice for founders keen to partner with solid institutional investors.

Vision Ventures is a VC that takes “active investor” seriously—they sit on boards, get hands-on, and aren’t afraid to support operationally. With global reach from Riyadh to Amsterdam and San Fran, they help founders expand outside the region. Cloud, mobile, smart transport and e-commerce are their main stomping grounds. For rocketships after Series A backers who care about execution, Vision Ventures lives up to its name.

That’s Riyadh’s VC jungle for you—a crowded field, but somewhere in there is probably the right partner for your next funding round. The city is fast becoming a genuine startup power, and with heavyweights, government operators, angels, and hands-on global firms all fighting for a slice, there’s capital out there for the ambitious. Just come prepared, keep it honest, and don’t worry if your journey’s a bit messy—everyone’s is. Good luck pitching.