Startup Wrap – Saudi startup ecosystem leads regional funding activity

Startup Wrap – Saudi startup ecosystem leads regional funding activity
Yalla Plus has served thousands of entrepreneurs across 11 countries and plans to scale its reach to 100,000 entrepreneurs in 50 countries. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 August 2024
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Startup Wrap – Saudi startup ecosystem leads regional funding activity

Startup Wrap – Saudi startup ecosystem leads regional funding activity
  • Resal, a Saudi-based e-gifting platform, has successfully raised $9 million in a series A round to fuel its growth

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem continues to see robust growth, with a diverse range of sectors attracting significant investment. 

Companies across food technology, fintech, and loyalty platforms have secured funding to accelerate their expansion, both domestically and internationally. 

Resal, a Saudi-based e-gifting platform, has successfully raised $9 million in a series A round to fuel its growth. 

The round was backed by prominent investors, including Derayah Ventures Fund, Al-Wafrah AlThanya Investment Co., and Venture Souq FinTech Fund, as well as ADDiriyah Asset Management, Nomad Holdings, Bugshan Investment Group, and several family offices, alongside angel investors. 

Founded in 2016 by Fouad Al-Farhan and Hatem Kameli, Resal provides digital solutions designed to connect merchants, companies, and individuals through a unified platform. 

The company offers services that facilitate the management and exchange of loyalty points, prepaid cards, and vouchers across various sources. 

The latest funding will be used to accelerate Resal’s business expansion within Saudi Arabia. 

“Our success in securing these investments is a significant testament to the investors and partners’ belief in Resal’s role and its team’s efforts in developing an effective digital ecosystem that contributes to providing innovative solutions in loyalty programs, digital rewards, and alternative payments, in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” Kameli, the company’s CEO, said. 

He further claimed that the company recently doubled its sales growth and has increased the number of beneficiaries to more than 1.5 million users and over 1,000 entities and organizations across more than 15 sectors.  

Saudi Arabia’s Yalla Plus secures $2.7m seed funding for POS innovation 

Yalla Plus, a Saudi food tech startup, has closed a $2.7 million seed investment round led by Merak Capital. 

The round also saw participation from Khwarizmi Ventures, Isometry Capital, and a mix of regional and international angel investors. 

Established in 2022 by Abdullah Al-Rabeh and Bader Al-Nasser, Yalla Plus provides an integrated point-of-sale system that encompasses payment management, customer feedback processing, and delivery solutions. 

The company has reportedly served thousands of entrepreneurs across 11 countries and plans to scale its reach to 100,000 entrepreneurs in 50 countries, spanning the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. 

Mithu raises $500k pre-seed to aggregate loyalty programs 

Saudi-based Mithu, a loyalty platform aggregator, has raised $500,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Web3 venture builder Adaverse. 

Founded in early 2024 by Mohsin Qureshi and Asif Ali, Mithu aims to streamline loyalty programs by consolidating them into a single, gamified app. 

It is designed to boost customer engagement, particularly in the food and beverage sector. 

Mithu claims to have already secured agreements with around 200 restaurants in Riyadh. The company’s gamification strategy is positioned to help businesses increase customer retention through enhanced loyalty interactions. 

Asas secures $320k for AI-driven developer-sharing platform 

Saudi Arabia’s Asas Specialized Information Technology has raised $320,000 in a pre-seed round for its flagship product, Resquad AI. 

The round was backed by angel investors, and the investment will be used to expand the company’s operations within the Kingdom. 

Founded by Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Jafaari in 2024, Resquad AI facilitates flexible collaboration among software development firms by allowing them to share developers with other companies or external clients. 

Asas plans to enhance its platform and drive growth in the Saudi IT sector with the new capital. 

UAE-based Meteora Developers acquires property crowdfunding platform Maisour 

UAE-based real estate developer Meteora Developers has acquired Emirati property crowdfunding platform Maisour in a multimillion-dollar deal. 

Founded in 2022 by Praveen Sharma, Meteora has developed a diverse real estate portfolio across the UAE. 

Maisour, launched in 2021 by Ahmed Nour, Haytham Assaal, and Sari Safi, offers global investors the opportunity to participate in the UAE’s real estate market through fractional ownership. 

With this acquisition, current and future investors on the Maisour platform will gain access to Meteora’s extensive offerings, further expanding their opportunities in the UAE property sector. 

Falcon Gate Ventures launches $100m Web3 innovation fund 

Singapore-based Gate Ventures, the venture capital arm of Gate.io, and the Blockchain Center in Abu Dhabi have teamed up to launch a $100 million fund to promote Web3 innovation globally. 

Named Falcon Gate Ventures, the fund aims to accelerate the adoption of decentralized technologies and infrastructure. 

It will focus on fostering innovation in regions such as the US, Asia, Europe, and the MENA region, targeting key areas of Web3 development. 

Both Gate Ventures and the Blockchain Center intend to leverage their combined expertise to support emerging talents and advance the digital economy. 

Pakistan’s PostEx raises $7.3m to drive expansion into the GCC 

Pakistan-based fintech startup PostEx has secured $7.3 million in a pre-series A round led by Conjunction Capital, alongside Dash Ventures, Sanabil500, VSQ, FJ Labs, and Zayn VC. 

Founded in 2020 by Muhammad Khan, PostEx offers upfront payments to e-commerce businesses while providing a reliable delivery network. 

Prior to this round, the company had raised $8.6 million from investors such as Global Founder Capital, MSA Capital, and Shorooq Partners. 

The company intends to utilize the fresh capital to expand its services into the Gulf Cooperation Council region, further bolstering its fintech and logistics solutions. 

Egypt’s NoorNation secures investment from KBW Ventures for clean energy solutions 

Egypt-based climate tech startup NoorNation has received an undisclosed investment from KBW Ventures, founded by Saudi Prince Khaled bin Al-Waleed. 

NoorNation, which was launched in 2021 by Ragy Ramadan and Mohamed Khaled, focuses on delivering decentralized energy and water infrastructure to off-grid areas across Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

NoorNation’s flagship product, LifeBox, provides clean energy and safe water to rural communities, farms, and tourism businesses at affordable prices. 

The company has gained recognition for its work, including being named Best Green Tech Startup of the Year in Northern Africa by the Global Startup Awards 2024. This marks KBW Ventures’ first investment in Egypt’s startup ecosystem. 

UAE fintech Yuze raises $30m for SME financial inclusion 

UAE-based fintech startup Yuze has raised $30 million in a funding round led by Osten Investments. 

Founded in 2022 by Rabih Sfeir, Yuze offers business accounts tailored to startups, micro, and small enterprises, with a focus on financial inclusion in emerging markets. 

The company plans to utilize the funds to expand into new markets and aims to reach one million small and medium-sized enterprise and professional customers within the next five years. 

Yuze’s expansion strategy is intended to bridge the financial inclusion gap for underserved businesses across various regions.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409
Updated 02 February 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409
  • Parallel market Nomu lost 145.58 points, or 0.47%, to close at 31,105.07
  • MSCI Tadawul Index gained 1.59 points, or 0.10%, to close at 1,54561

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 5.62 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 12,409.87.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.09 billion ($1.35 billion), as 108 of the stocks advanced and 118 retreated. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, lost 145.58 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 31,105.07. This comes as 42 of the listed stocks advanced while 43 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index, however, gained 1.59 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 1,54561. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Mutakamela Insurance Co., whose share price rose 9.74 percent to SR18.02. 

Other top performers included Allied Cooperative Insurance Group and Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Co. whose share prices gained 8.55 percent to SR16 and 7.71 percent to SR17.88, respectively.

Thimar Development Holding Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 7.5 percent to SR53.

Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. also saw its stock prices fall 5.77 percent to SR29.40.

CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. saw its stock prices decline 4.26 percent to SR54.

Multi Business Group Co. announced its annual financial results for the period ending Dec. 31.

According to a Tadawul statement, the company reported a net profit of SR10.5 million last year, reflecting a 19.06 percent increase compared to 2023. 

The growth was driven by an 8 percent rise in total revenues, a 12 percent increase in gross profit, an 8 percent reduction in general and administrative expenses, and a 45 percent decrease in financing costs, despite a 161 percent surge in zakat expenses.

Multi Business Group Co. ended the session at SR18.80, up 10.43 percent.

Edarat Communication and Information Technology Co. announced its annual consolidated financial results for the period ending Dec. 31.

A bourse filing revealed that the firm recorded a net profit of SR24.6 million in 2024, reflecting a 41.98 percent rise compared to the previous year. 

The jump is primarily linked to a 31 percent rise in gross profit, which reached SR45.3 million in 2024, compared to SR34.6 million in 2023. Moreover, administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenue, dropped from 19.07 percent in 2023 to 16.71 percent in 2024, further leveraging the growth in net profit.

Edarat ended the session at SR671, up 1.55 percent.

The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia announced its interim financial results for the period ending Dec. 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR2.16 billion in 2024, up 34.45 percent compared to 2023. 

The rise is owed to a surge in gross profit by SR627 million and an increase in the firm’s share in results of equity accounted investees by SR166 million. The increase in net profit was partially reduced by a decline in other income and a rise in general and administrative expenses compared to the same period last year.

National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia ended the session at SR29.95, down 0.67 percent.

Bank AlJazira has announced its annual financial results for the period ending Dec. 31. A bourse filing revealed that the firm recorded a net profit of SR1.23 billion in 2024, up 20.69 percent compared to 2023.

The bank ended the session at SR18.68, down 3.08 percent.

Saudi Awwal Bank also announced its annual financial results for the same period. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR8.07 billion in 2024, up 15.25 percent compared to 2023. This rise is due to a surge in total operating income, partially offset by a jump in total operating expenses and tax charges.

The bank ended the session at SR36.40, up 1.95 percent.


Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state

Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state
Updated 02 February 2025
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Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state

Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state
  • Disputed amounts are related to technical discrepancies in quantities, prices, and handling costs of fuel and electric power
  • Second resolution was issued to include the settlement liability amount in the Mudaraba instrument

RIYADH: The Saudi Electricity Co. will settle its historical obligations to the state, totaling SR5.687 billion ($1.5 billion), following an executive panel approving a final settlement of the disputed legacy amounts.

The panel, which included a ministerial committee for restructuring the electricity sector and SEC, said the disputed amounts are related to technical discrepancies in quantities, prices, and handling costs of fuel and electric power.

A working team was formed from the ministries of energy and finance and the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority, in coordination with relevant authorities, to study the disputed transactions totaling SR10.3 billion.

This is part of the government’s continued efforts to enhance service levels for citizens and residents, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Global credit ratings agency Moody’s assigned the SEC an Aa3 rating in November, which it gives to companies with high quality, low credit risk, and a strong ability to repay short-term debts. It provides an assessment of the creditworthiness of borrowers, including governments, corporations, and other entities that issue debt.

The Tadawul statement said the committee issued a second resolution to include the settlement liability amount in the Mudaraba instrument, as per the terms of the agreement between SEC and the Ministry of Finance, within 30 days of receiving the resolution letter from the Minister of Energy.

The Mudaraba instrument is a long-term, unsecured financial tool with a profit margin tied to the regulatory weighted average cost of capital. Its profit is paid only if dividends are declared on ordinary shares. It follows Islamic Shariah principles, is treated as equity in SEC’s financials, and does not change shareholder ownership or rights.

The bourse filing said the SEC expects no significant impact on its dividend distribution.

It added that following the resolution, SEC will amend the Mudaraba agreement with the Ministry of Finance to include this amount in the Mudaraba instrument, bringing the total to SR173.607 billion.

Reclassifying the settlement amount into the Mudaraba instrument strengthens the company’s capital and prepares it for large-scale investments, reinforcing its role as a reliable electricity provider in the Kingdom.

The financial impact of the resolution is projected to be reflected in the 2024 financial statements.


Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief

Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief
Updated 02 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief

Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief
  • Kingdom strengthens global defense presence with $78 billion military budget for 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s military spending has increased at an annual rate of 4.5 percent since 1960, reaching $75.8 billion in 2024. This accounts for 3.1 percent of global defense spending, according to a senior official.

Speaking at the fourth Global Strategies in Defense and Aerospace Industry Conference in Antalya, Turkiye, Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, noted that global military expenditure now totals $2.44 trillion.

Al-Ohali emphasized that Saudi Arabia has earmarked around $78 billion for the military sector in its 2025 budget. This allocation represents 21 percent of the total government spending and 7.19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

The governor reiterated that the work of GAMI is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a prosperous, diversified, and sustainable economy by reducing dependence on oil revenues and fostering growth in industry and innovation.

“In the presence of His Excellency Prof. Haluk Gorgun, chairman of the Defense Industries Authority of Turkiye, and leaders of Turkish military industry companies, I discussed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation toward a more diversified and innovation-driven economy,” Al-Ohali stated.

He further added: “I also emphasized the promising investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s military industries sector and the strategic partnerships between our two countries, with the goal of localizing over 50 percent of military spending by 2030.”

The governor underscored GAMI’s commitment to developing a sustainable military industries sector that not only strengthens military readiness but also makes a significant contribution to the national economy.

To achieve its localization goals, the authority has introduced several initiatives designed to attract both foreign and domestic investments in the defense sector.

Al-Ohali highlighted that GAMI has rolled out a range of incentives to encourage investment and expand military industries, helping companies meet localization targets.

“A total of 74 supply chain opportunities have been created within the military industries sector, with 30 priority opportunities identified, representing about 80 percent of future expenditures on supply chains,” he noted.

The authority is also offering support and facilitation to small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in military industries, both domestically and internationally.

“The aim is to establish a resilient and robust military industrial base that will not only bolster national security but also contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic diversification,” Al-Ohali added.

In November of last year, Al-Ohali mentioned at the Local Content Forum that Saudi Arabia had localized 19.35 percent of its military spending, a significant increase from just 4 percent in 2018. The Kingdom plans to exceed 50 percent by 2030.

He also pointed out that the number of licensed entities in the military industries sector had risen to 296 by the third quarter of 2024.

Saudi Arabia continues to solidify its position as a key player in the global defense sector, with strategic partnerships and industrial development playing a pivotal role in achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030.


Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return

Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return
Updated 02 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return

Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return
  • Minimum subscription amount is SR1,000 and the maximum total issuance per user during the program period is SR200,000
  • Kingdom aims to raise savings rate among residents from 6% to the international benchmark of 10% by 2030

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has launched the second round of its subscription-based savings product, Sah, for 2025, offering a competitive return of 4.94 percent for February.

Issued by the Ministry of Finance and organized by the National Debt Management Center, the Sah bonds are the Kingdom’s first savings product designed specifically for individuals. 

Structured within the local bond program and denominated in Saudi riyals, Sah offers attractive returns to promote financial stability and growth among citizens.

The product aligns with the Financial Sector Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to raise the savings rate among residents from 6 percent to the international benchmark of 10 percent by the end of the decade.

The Shariah-compliant, government-backed sukuk began at 10:00 a.m. Saudi time on Feb. 2 and will remain open until 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 4. Redemption amounts are expected to be paid within a year, as announced by the NDMC on X.

Sah offers fee-free, low-risk returns and is available through the digital platforms of various approved financial institutions. The bonds are issued monthly based on the issuance schedule, with a one-year savings period, fixed returns, and profits paid out at the bond’s maturity.

The minimum subscription amount is SR1,000 ($266), corresponding to the value of one bond, while the maximum total issuance per user during the program period is SR200,000. Returns are paid monthly per the issuance calendar.

The savings period lasts one year with a fixed return, and accrued profits are disbursed at the bond’s maturity. Future returns will be influenced by market conditions on a month-to-month basis.

The product is available to Saudi nationals aged 18 and older, who must open an account with either SNB Capital, Aljazira Capital, Alinma Investment, SAB Invest, or Al-Rajhi Capital.

Last month, NDMC announced the closure of the year’s first issuance with a total amount allocated of SR3.724 billion. It was divided into four tranches, with the first valued at SR1.255 billion to mature in 2029 and the second worth SR1.405 billion, maturing in 2032. The third tranche totaled SR1.036 billion to mature in 2036, while the fourth amounted to SR28 million and matures in 2039.

The initial 2025 issuance concluded on Jan. 7, offering a competitive return of 4.95 percent over its three-day subscription period.


Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap

Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap
Updated 02 February 2025
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Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap

Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap
  • stc posted a net profit of SR11.23 billion in the first nine months of 2024
  • Company’s Saudi mobile subscriber base grew 7.9% year on year

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s stc Group has emerged as the largest listed telecom operator in the Middle East and North Africa, with a market capitalization of $57.7 billion as of Jan. 28, according to a Forbes analysis.

The ranking places stc ahead of UAE’s e&, the Kingdom’s Etihad Etisalat, also known as Mobily, Qatar’s Ooredoo Group, and UAE’s Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co., which round out the top five telecom firms in the region by market value. 

The combined capitalization of these five companies stood at $132 billion, representing 84.7 percent of the total market value of the 16 publicly listed telecom operators in the region.

stc’s share price rose 2 percent year on year to SR43.3 ($11.6) as of Jan. 28. On Feb. 2, the stock gained 0.34 percent to trade at SR43.65 as of 12:30 p.m. Saudi time. The company posted a net profit of SR11.23 billion in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 2 percent increase from the same period a year earlier, according to Saudi Exchange data.

The group’s financial arm, STC Bank, recently secured a non-objection certificate from the Saudi Central Bank to commence operations, becoming the first licensed digital financial institution in Saudi Arabia. The approval aligns with the regulator’s push for digital transformation and enhanced competition in the banking sector while ensuring financial stability.

Forbes said that stc’s Saudi mobile subscriber base grew 7.9 percent year on year in the first nine months of 2024, reaching 27.6 million, while fixed-line subscribers rose 2.3 percent to 5.7 million. In contrast, stc Kuwait saw its mobile subscriber base decline 4.2 percent to 2.3 million by the end of the third quarter.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds a 62 percent stake in stc Group.

Among regional rivals, e& holds the second-largest market capitalization at $41.1 billion, while Mobily ranks third at $12 billion. Mobily’s stock price climbed 14.5 percent year on year to SR58.4 as of Jan. 28, with net profit surging 43 percent to SR2.12 billion for the first nine months of 2024. The company’s subscriber base also expanded 1.5 percent to 11.7 million.

Ooredoo Group ranks fourth with an $11.4 billion market capitalization, followed by Emirates Integrated Telecommunications at $9.8 billion.