Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding

Co-founders of lite Fahad Anteet, Mohamed Faheem, and Soliman Aldukhil.
Co-founders of lite Fahad Anteet, Mohamed Faheem, and Soliman Aldukhil.
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Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding

Saudi fintech lite secures $3.2m in pre-seed funding

Saudi-based fintech startup lite has announced the successful closure of its pre-seed funding round, raising a total of $3.2 million. The round was led by Scene Holding, with participation from prominent angel investors, marking a significant milestone in lite’s journey to redefine the payments ecosystem for businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Established by three seasoned co-founders with vast experience in payments — Fahad Anteet, Mohamed Faheem, and Soliman Aldukhil — lite is on a mission to become the leading payment solutions provider in the Saudi market, offering businesses a full-fledged suite of financial services to meet all their payment needs. With a strong focus on innovation, scalability, and localization, lite is committed to driving financial inclusion and enhancing the efficiency of payment ecosystems in the Kingdom. This is in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of accelerating digital transformation and promoting a less-cash society.

Currently, lite is in the process of obtaining an electronic money institution license from the Saudi Central Bank, which will enable the company to fully operate and deliver its comprehensive suite of payment solutions to businesses across the Kingdom.

“We are deeply grateful to our investors for their trust in our vision and to the Saudi Central Bank, Fintech Saudi, and key ecosystem enablers for their support in fostering fintech innovation. This funding marks a major step forward in our mission to provide businesses with seamless, secure, and scalable payment solutions tailored to the Saudi market,” said Anteet, CEO of lite. “As we work toward obtaining our EMI license, we remain committed to innovation, compliance, and localization — empowering businesses and accelerating the shift toward a digital, less-cash economy in alignment with Vision 2030.”

“We are thrilled to support lite on its journey to reshape the payments ecosystem in Saudi Arabia,” said Sultan Ghaznawi, chairman and managing director, Scene Holding “The founding team’s expertise, vision, and commitment to innovation align perfectly with our investment philosophy at Scene Holding. We believe lite has the potential to drive meaningful impact in the fintech sector, empowering businesses and contributing to the Kingdom’s digital transformation goals.”


SAB’s new instant account opening service empowers SMEs

SAB’s new instant account opening service empowers SMEs
Updated 13 November 2025
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SAB’s new instant account opening service empowers SMEs

SAB’s new instant account opening service empowers SMEs

Saudi Awwal Bank, one of the leading banks in the Kingdom, has launched a new instant account opening service for sole proprietorships.

The launch of the new digital solution took place during Biban 2025, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha’at, from Nov. 5 to 8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities.”

The new solution for small and medium enterprises underscores SAB’s commitment to empowering SMEs in the Kingdom through innovative, secure digital banking services that simplify account opening. It supports the bank’s ongoing efforts to advance Vision 2030 by helping businesses grow and contribute to economic diversification.

The service enables business owners to open accounts instantly through a fully digital platform that completes every step online. It offers a faster, more convenient banking experience while expanding access for the SME sector.

Yasser Al-barrak, chief corporate and institutional banking officer at SAB, said: “At SAB, we continue to invest in technology that transforms the way our customers do business. The instant account opening platform marks a major step forward, allowing entrepreneurs to start their banking relationship within minutes through a secure digital process.” 

SAB’s Corporate Account Opening Platform has received the “Global SME Banking Innovation Award” for three consecutive years from The Digital Banker publication. The platform now enables businesses to open accounts within minutes and instantly access banking services through the SAB iCorp app, including payroll management and other key features.

By launching this new digital service, SAB strengthens its role in supporting entrepreneurship and driving financial innovation across Saudi Arabia. The bank continues to invest in digital solutions that empower business owners and contribute to a thriving, sustainable SME sector.