Startup Wrap – Saudi VCs pour capital into ventures through strategic investments  

Startup Wrap – Saudi VCs pour capital into ventures through strategic investments  
This week's FII8 witnessed numerous deals that boosted the startup landscape. Shutterstock
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Updated 01 November 2024
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Startup Wrap – Saudi VCs pour capital into ventures through strategic investments  

Startup Wrap – Saudi VCs pour capital into ventures through strategic investments  

RIYADH: Saudi venture capital firms are fueling regional innovation through substantial investments and new initiatives. 

Aramco Ventures led New York-based industrial internet-of-things monitoring and communications startup Andium’s $21.7 million series B funding round. 

Existing backers, including Climate Investment, Intrepid Financial Partners, and individual investors such as former Citadel Chief Investment Officer Thomas Miglis, also participated. The investment brings Andium’s total funding to over $40 million, following its $15 million series A round in 2021. 

The newly secured funds will enable Andium to accelerate its global expansion, scale operations in oil and gas regions in the US and the Middle East, reduce technology costs, and bolster its research and development initiatives. 

Wa’ed Ventures allocates $100m for early-stage AI investments 

Saudi Aramco’s $500-million financial capital arm Wa’ed Ventures has earmarked $100 million for early-stage artificial intelligence investments. This initiative is part of efforts to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the technology, aligning with the Kingdom’s strategic development goals. 

The deployment of the fund will be overseen by an advisory board comprising experts from prominent global institutions such as Meta, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oxford University, and Amazon. 

A report by PwC projects that artificial intelligence could contribute $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy by 2030, amounting to 12 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Wa’ed Ventures has recently invested in Korea’s Rebellions and US-based AiXplain as part of its investment strategy. 

Beta Lab launches with $300m to foster deeptech innovation 




Beta Lab launched at FII8 in Riyadh. X/@BetalabSA

Saudi Arabia’s new deeptech venture studio, Beta Lab, launched with $300 million in capital at the Future Investment Initiative. 

The outfit aims to bolster startups and promote cross-border innovation between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. 

This strategic initiative is backed by the Saudi Ministry of Investment, the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and MDI Ventures by Telkom Indonesia.  

Beta Lab is expected to catalyze growth in the deep tech sector through significant investments and collaborative partnerships.   

Tharawat Green Exchange secures $450k for sustainability initiatives 

Saudi Arabia-based Web3 provider Tharawat Green Exchange has raised $450,000 from Adaverse, a fund dedicated to Web3 and blockchain investments.  

Founded in 2023 by Yakeen Al-Zaki, Hassan Al-Redha, and Yasser Al-Obaidan, Tharawat Green Exchange focuses on leveraging blockchain technology for environmental sustainability, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. 

The capital will support infrastructure and blockchain development, enhance sales and marketing, and help secure Vera certification for Tharawat Green Exchange’s carbon credits. 

BIM Capital established to boost Middle East investment




BIM Ventures and SBI Holding announced the establishment of BIM Capital during the FII8 conference in Riyadh. Supplied

Saudi-based BIM Ventures and Japan’s SBI Holding have launched BIM Capital, a joint venture to stimulate investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.  

The new organization will focus on private equity, venture capital, debt funds, and real estate investments.

With a target of drawing more than $200 million in foreign direct investment, BIM Capital aims to manage assets worth over $2 billion.  

The joint venture seeks to leverage both firms’ expertise to accelerate regional growth and innovation. 

ARKTECH raises $1m in pre-seed funding 

Saudi proptech company ARKTECH has successfully closed a $1 million pre-seed investment round, led by Core Vision Investment.  

Established in 2023 by Waheed Al-Jassas, ARKTECH specializes in utility contract trading to enhance real estate investment returns. 

The funding will strengthen the company’s leadership in the property technology sector and support the development of new tech-enabled investment solutions. 

Nabt secures $1.5m seed round for B2B marketplace 

Saudi foodtech startup Nabt has raised $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Merak Capital, with additional backing from angel investors.  

Launched in 2022 by Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Nabt runs a business-to-business marketplace that directly connects farmers with businesses. 

The funding will be used to accelerate product development and expand Nabt’s market presence.  

The company is part of the Sunbolah FoodTech Accelerator, an initiative by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to promote innovation in the agricultural sector. 

ISSF invests $5m in Rua Growth Fund 




ISSF CEO Mohammed Al Muhtaseb, and Turki Aljoaib, managing partner of Rua Growth Fund. ISSF

Jordan’s Innovative Startups and Small and Medium Enterprises Fund has invested $5 million in Rua Growth I LP, a $45-million Saudi Arabia-based venture capital fund focused on early-stage investments in e-commerce, financial technology, enterprise solutions, and software as a service. 

This investment aims to leverage Jordan’s robust startup ecosystem and foster innovation, enhancing the competitive edge of local startups in regional markets. 

Tadarab expands into Saudi Arabia amid rising demand 

Kuwait-based education technology platform Tadarab has expanded operations into Saudi Arabia as part of its strategy to address the growing need for online education solutions in the region.  

Founded in 2016 by Zaid Al-Luhaib and Salma Al-Yassin, Tadarab offers courses that support personal and professional development across the Middle East and North Africa region. 

The expansion aims to tailor Tadarab’s educational solutions to meet the diverse demands of Saudi learners, benefiting both individuals and corporate clients. 

Pass secures $2.7m to expand into Egypt and Saudi Arabia 

Qatar-based delivery service app Pass has raised $2.7 million in a pre-series A funding round from undisclosed investors.  

Initially launched by the UK’s Peyk in 2020 and later acquired by local entrepreneur Bashar Jaber in 2023, the newly acquired funding will support Pass’s expansion into Egypt and Saudi Arabia and facilitate the development of new products to enhance its market position. 

Colis.ma closes $300k pre-seed funding 

Morocco’s logistics startup Colis.ma has secured $300,000 in pre-seed funding from Witamax.  

Founded in 2022 by Issam Darui, Colis.ma focuses on cross-border logistics services for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to bridge African and European markets.   

The funds will be used to strengthen Colis.ma’s operations in Morocco’s five largest regions and expand into six major European countries, with plans for further growth into West Africa. 

Pargo expands into Egypt with $4m funding 

South African e-commerce logistics startup Pargo has entered the Egyptian market after raising $4 million from 3Capital Ventures, Endeavor, SAAD Investment Holdings, and UW Ventures.  

Launched in 2014 by Derk Hoekert and Lars Veul, Pargo provides innovative delivery solutions tailored for the e-commerce sector. 

The expansion includes the rollout of collection and return service points across Egypt to support e-commerce growth.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,213 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,213 
Updated 14 July 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,213 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,213 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower on Monday, falling 39.31 points, or 0.35 percent, to end the day at 11,213.59.

The total trading turnover on the benchmark index reached SR4.54 billion ($1.21 billion), with 60 stocks advancing and 190 declining.  

The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also retreated, shedding 5.46 points, or 0.38 percent, to close at 1,436.97. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu declined by 80.73 points, or 0.29 percent, closing at 27,356.89. Of the listed stocks, 22 advanced while 56 retreated.  

The best-performing stock was Alistithmar AREIC Diversified REIT Fund, with its share price rising by 9.91 percent to SR9.43. 

Other top performers included Saudi Industrial Investment Group, which saw its share price rise by 4.56 percent to SR17.42, and Al Hassan Ghazi Ibrahim Shaker Co., which saw a 4.48 percent increase to SR29.40. 

On the downside, Emaar The Economic City posted the steepest drop of the day, falling 4.12 percent to SR13.73.  

Naseej International Trading Co. fell 4.03 percent to SR102.50, and MBC Group Co. dropped 3.79 percent to SR34.02. 

On the announcements front, Jarir Marketing Co. reported estimated net profits of SR197.2 million for the first half of 2025, marking a 15.2 percent increase from the same period last year. 

In a statement on Tadawul, the company attributed the estimated increase to a 4.5 percent rise in gross profit, driven by higher sales of after-sales services along with improved profit margins and an increase in other income. 

Jarir’s shares gained 1.27 percent, closing at SR12.79.

Advanced Petrochemical Co. also announced its estimated financial results for the same period. The firm’s net profits were estimated to reach SR82 million, up by 95.2 percent from the same period last year. 

The company said that the increase was driven by an 8 percent rise in net revenues, lower propane and purchased propylene prices. 

Advanced Petrochemical Co. also announced the completion of construction and successful operational launch of its Propane Dehydrogenation plant, capable of producing 843,000 tonnes of propylene annually, along with two PolyPropylene plants operated by Advanced Polyolefins Industry Co. with a combined capacity of 800,000 tonnes per year. 

The facilities, located in Jubail Industrial City, mark a significant milestone in the company’s expansion in the petrochemical sector, according to a statement. 

APOC, a joint venture between Advanced Global Investment Co. and SK Gas Petrochemical Pte., will begin contributing to Advanced Petrochemical Co.’s consolidated financial results starting in the third quarter of 2025. 

Advanced Petrochemical shares closed 0.32 percent higher at SR31.48. 


Italian firm Webuild secures $600m contract as Diriyah project gains pace

Italian firm Webuild secures $600m contract as Diriyah project gains pace
Updated 14 July 2025
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Italian firm Webuild secures $600m contract as Diriyah project gains pace

Italian firm Webuild secures $600m contract as Diriyah project gains pace

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Square project has awarded a $600 million contract to Italian construction firm Webuild, marking a major step forward for the Kingdom’s heritage-driven development.

The contract, awarded to a subsidiary of the Italian group — Salini Saudi Arabia — covers the construction of 70 buildings and public spaces within the mixed-use development, which forms part of the broader Diriyah master plan. 

With this latest award, Webuild’s total involvement in the sit, known as the City of Earth, now stands at roughly $2 billion, the company said in a statement. 

Diriyah Square is a central component of Diriyah Co.’s strategy to transform the historic district into a commercial, residential, and cultural hub. 

The project is one of five giga-projects backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, aimed at reshaping the Kingdom’s economy and tourism offering under the Vision 2030 plan. 

Diriyah will contribute approximately SR70 billion ($18.6 billion) directly to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, create nearly 180,000 jobs and will be home to an estimated 100,000 people. 

Diriyah Co.’s group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “Diriyah Square is one of our most exciting, anticipated and prestigious districts, and we are extremely pleased to have signed with Salini to deliver it, bringing their immense global experience to the table.”

He added that this marks another important milestone in their development journey, paving the way for Diriyah Square’s retail spaces to welcome a diverse range of visitors — from nearby residential communities and surrounding office hubs to the millions who visit each year.

The contract covers Package 3 Finishing and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, delivering a pedestrian-friendly environment in traditional Najdi style across 365,000 sq. meters. Webuild is also working on the 10,500-space underground parking facility, awarded in 2022 and currently 55 percent complete, alongside structural packages 3, 6, and 7. 

According to Diriyah Co., the project aims to create a retail district showcasing 400 brands across retail, leisure, and dining.  

In a statement released by Webuild, CEO Pietro Salini said: “We are proud to be able to contribute to a project of such symbolic and strategic value for Saudi Arabia. Our presence in the Kingdom will be further strengthened by work that will have a positive impact on the area as well as the local community.” 

He added that the company has operated in Saudi Arabia since 1966 and has completed more than 90 projects.

“We continue to support the country to develop some of the most challenging infrastructure projects in the world, especially in sectors such as civil buildings, sustainable mobility, and desalination,” Salini said. 


BYD plans major Saudi expansion following Tesla’s market entry

BYD plans major Saudi expansion following Tesla’s market entry
Updated 14 July 2025
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BYD plans major Saudi expansion following Tesla’s market entry

BYD plans major Saudi expansion following Tesla’s market entry

RIYADH: Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD Co. is aiming to triple its presence in Saudi Arabia after Tesla Inc.’s recent market entry, the firm’s managing director for the Kingdom has announced.

Currently operating three showrooms, BYD plans to expand to 10 locations by late 2026, according to Jerome Saigot. 

The expansion comes after Tesla entered the Saudi market in April with a Riyadh showroom, joining BYD and fellow Chinese firm Geely.

The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to establish itself as a regional EV hub, targeting 30 percent EV adoption by 2030 as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

“Saudi is a complex market. You need to go fast. You need to think big,” Saigot said in an interview with Bloomberg, adding: “We are not here to stay at 5 (thousand) or 10,000 cars a year.” 

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been aggressively investing in the EV sector, backing Lucid Motors, launching its brand, Ceer, and supporting charging infrastructure development. 

However, EVs still account for just over 1 percent of total car sales, as high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and extreme weather remain challenges, Bloomberg reported, citing data from PwC.

Saigot told Bloomberg that Tesla’s presence in the Kingdom was a positive development, helping to boost consumer awareness of EVs.

“The more Tesla communicates on marketing, the better it is for us,” said Saigot, who started at BYD in April after serving in previous roles at Nissan Motor Co. and Great Wall Motor Co.

BYD has been closing the gap with Tesla globally, outselling the US automaker in Europe for the first time in April. 

The Kingdom’s push toward electric mobility is gaining momentum, with Tesla’s recent market entry seen as a potential catalyst for faster adoption. Alessandro Tricamo, partner at Oliver Wyman, told Arab News in an interview earlier this month that nearly half of Saudis are now considering an EV purchase. 

“Tesla’s entry into the Saudi market is potentially a significant win-win situation,” he said, pointing to the brand’s appeal in a car-centric market and the company’s need to expand beyond declining Western sales. 

Also in an interview earlier this month, Taline Vahanian of Marsh UAE warned of risks for the sector, including battery degradation in extreme heat and costly insurance premiums, which could slow adoption.


Saudi PIF rises to 4th among sovereign wealth funds as assets surpass $1tn 

Saudi PIF rises to 4th among sovereign wealth funds as assets surpass $1tn 
Updated 14 July 2025
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Saudi PIF rises to 4th among sovereign wealth funds as assets surpass $1tn 

Saudi PIF rises to 4th among sovereign wealth funds as assets surpass $1tn 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has rise one place to 4th globally among sovereign wealth bodies, with assets surpassing $1 trillion, according to Global SWF’s July rankings.

PIF now ranks behind only Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global and two Chinese entities — the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and the China Investment Corporation — and surpasses the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Kuwait Investment Authority.

The new ranking underscores PIF’s growing influence in global capital markets. 

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has mandated the fund to grow its assets to $2 trillion by 2030, while generating long-term returns and supporting economic diversification. 

PIF’s assets under management climbed to $1.15 trillion in 2024, up from approximately $925 billion the previous year. However, net profit declined during the period due to rising operational costs, interest expenses, and asset write-downs linked to project delays and revisions, according to Global SWF. 

In response, the fund has shifted its strategy and is now prioritizing liquidity through short-term sukuk and commercial paper, while focusing on scalable, revenue-generating assets over high-cost mega-projects. This repositioning also includes increased investments in AI infrastructure, ETF platforms, and co-investments with global asset managers. 

Underscoring its international ambitions, PIF has invested about $200 million in a prime Manhattan real estate project with Related Companies, Bloomberg reported in July.

The fund plans to acquire a two-thirds stake in the 625 Madison Avenue site, where a 1,200-foot tower is under consideration, just steps from Central Park. 

The move builds on PIF’s earlier ties with Related, including a 2020 debt investment, and reflects its appetite for high-profile, long-horizon real estate in strategic global cities. 

Internationally, the fund holds stakes in prominent companies such as Lucid Motors, Nintendo, Uber, and BlackRock, and remains active across sectors including technology, mobility, and renewable energy, as well as gaming and sports. 

According to Global SWF, PIF is moving away from a strategy centered on rapid capital deployment, toward a more disciplined approach focused on financial sustainability, cost control, and delivering measurable returns. 


Egypt approves largest economic support package for SMEs worth $100.8m

Egypt approves largest economic support package for SMEs worth $100.8m
Updated 14 July 2025
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Egypt approves largest economic support package for SMEs worth $100.8m

Egypt approves largest economic support package for SMEs worth $100.8m

RIYADH: Entrepreneurs in Egypt’s priority sectors will soon gain access to affordable financing, as the 2025/2026 state budget earmarks 5 billion Egyptian pounds ($100.8 million) to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

This partnership between the North African country’s Ministry of Finance and the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, which accounts for the largest economic support in the new budget, represents a significant step in bolstering the private sector and productive industries, according to a statement.

This move supports financial policies that boost private sector activity and promote entrepreneurship, aiming for financial sustainability while enhancing MSMEDA’s contribution to business growth nationwide.

It also aligns with recent data showing that startups across the Middle East and North Africa raised $289 million through 44 deals in May, a 25 percent increase from April and a 2 percent rise year-on-year. Egypt led regional fundraising with $125 million, driven by Nawy’s $75 million round alongside seven other deals totaling $50 million.

The newly released ministry statement said the money “will contribute to providing easy financing for young entrepreneurs, targeting priority sectors more closely.”

It added: “This comes as part of a new phase of strong and effective cooperation with the agency, aiming to achieve financial sustainability for the agency to drive economic growth.”

The statement further revealed that Egypt’s Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk noted that an initial agreement with MSMEDA has been reached to fund initiatives that support tax relief beneficiaries, promote entrepreneurship, and boost local manufacturing, as well as empower low-income households and advance export-focused projects.

Kouchouk added that this fiscal year, the initial group of businesses enrolling in the simplified and unified tax system would receive access to preferential, low-cost financing.

Basel Rahmi, CEO of MSMEDA, commended the Ministry of Finance’s efforts to back emerging businesses and boost private-sector expansion.

Rahmi praised the minister’s proactive vision, noting it would open doors for empowering young entrepreneurs economically.

In June, a statement issued by the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship indicated that Egypt’s startup ecosystem saw notable progress in securing venture capital and debt financing in the first five months of the year, with tracked deals totaling $228 million since January.

The statement further revealed at the time that 16 deals were completed between January and May, with 11 of them publicly disclosing investments amounting to $156 million. These investments represented a 130 percent rise compared to the volume during the same period last year.