Dalal Al Mutlaq

Summary: Despite Saudi Arabia's history of human rights abuses, there is a growing interest from U.S.-based investors to invest in startups in the Middle Eastern nation. General Catalyst is planning to invest in a fintech startup, Lean Technology, and other firms such as Coatue Management and Andreessen Horowitz have recently backed Saudi Arabian startups. Key takeaways: Despite concerns about the country's human rights record, some U.S. investors are showing a willingness to invest in Saudi Arabian startups, potentially driven by the country's large and growing market. General Catalyst investment in Lean Technology is a significant step in this trend, as it is the firm's first investment in a Middle Eastern nation. Other U.S. firms, such as Coatue Management and a16z, have also recently backed Saudi Arabian startups or expanded their presence in the country through investments in related industries (such as co-living). Counter arguments: There may be ethical concerns about investing in a country with a record of human rights abuses and suppressing dissent. The motivations behind these investments may also be driven by the goal of gaining access to the huge Saudi Arabian market, rather than solely supporting the growth of the country's startups. #venturecapital #vc #venture #startups

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Interested in the Saudi market or in raising funds in Saudi? join #StartupDestination. Like or comment to get an invitation to the webinar #Growth #Expansion #Startups

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I’m excited to be featured in the latest #SMEMonitor by MonshaatSA, which offers valuable insights into local and global #fintech sectors. In my section, I discuss the opportunities for fintech innovation in emerging markets and how #Vision2030 is driving startup growth. Check out the full report to see how SMEs are using technology to strengthen their businesses and deliver more value to their customers. https://lnkd.in/eKqpGByF #VC #fintech #ArtificialIntelligence #GenAI #GenerativeAI #Innovation #Startups Saudi Vision 2030 barq Ahmed Brett Frank Jim Theodora Xavier Alexandros Thanasis Dimitrios Harris Alexander Christos Martha Bernard Chris. Spyros Miltos Orestis Stavroula Jeroen Daniel

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For anybody working on Carbon Capture...

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It was truly a pleasure meeting with Djamal Garoud Founder of Garoud Capital Partners recently! We had a great discussion about the exciting opportunities in the Saudi market and how we can work together to support startups. As a Eradah Studio that builds startups, building strong relationships with investment funds is crucial for us. The Saudi market is ripe with potential, and it's inspiring to see the growth and innovation happening here. With the Vision 2030 initiative driving economic diversification and the rise of tech startups, there's no shortage of opportunities for collaboration and growth. At our meeting, we discussed the importance of strategic partnerships and how we can leverage each other's strengths to create value for both entrepreneurs and investors. It's always exciting to see the synergies that can be achieved when like-minded organizations come together with a shared vision. I look forward to continuing our conversation and exploring ways to collaborate in the future. Together, we can unlock the full potential of the Saudi market and support the next generation of innovative companies. #SaudiMarketOpportunities #StrategicPartnerships #StartupEcosystem #Vision2030 #InvestmentFunds #CollaborationEmoji: 🚀 #SaudiEconomy #TechStartups #Entrepreneurship #InnovationSaudi #VentureCapital

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As I continue to share insights on investments in the MENA region, today’s spotlight is on an EdTech project. Educatly, an Egyptian EdTech startup, has successfully raised $2.5 million in a Seed funding round. The round was led by TLcom Capital LLP and Plus VC (+VC), with participation from Egypt Ventures and the HBAN syndicate. This isn't Educatly's first investment success. Back in 2021, the startup secured $1 million in a pre-Seed round from Falak Startups, Enterprise Island, and a group of angel investors. Founded in 2020, Educatly is on a mission to help students navigate their career paths by providing AI-powered insights into universities and internships worldwide. The platform connects over 1,100 universities across 90 countries, making it a key player in global education. With this new round of funding, Educatly plans to scale to new markets and enhance the quality of its offerings. What’s your take on the growing interest in EdTech in the MENA region? Let’s discuss in the comments.

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Will you be at FII Institute''s inaugural Investor Day on Thursday? The #FII summit in Riyadh has a dedicated day on Venture and Private Capital bringing the global financiers together to discuss VC/ PE in KSA and the region. 🧲 Want to swot up on the venture landscape in Saudi Arabia, MAGNiTT has you covered! Our latest quarterly report, sponsored by SVC, reveals that: 🇸🇦 The Kingdom accounted for 39% of MENA’s total funding. 🔻KSA experienced the least funding decline among emerging markets. 🔺Alongside the UAE and Egypt, KSA saw a YoY increase in closed deals in 9M'24. 🚀 Remarkably, international investment in KSA surged by 71% in 9M'24. Get ready to dive into KSA’s investment landscape at the #FII Summit: https://lnkd.in/d93BDU_f Let me know if you are around below👇? I'll be there on Wednesday and Thursday and love to catch up 👋 #FutureInvestmentInitiative #FII2024 #Vision2030 #InvestInSaudi #MENA #Innovation #InvestmentTrends #KSA #UAE #Egypt 

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I often talk about the importance of curiosity, learning, and discovery as a key drivers of growth and innovation, and I had the chance to put those into action at Cityscape Global, the largest real estate event in the MENA region. I had a pleasure to facilitate a panel on “The Most Promising Trends in PropTech”, and to join the Innovation Challenge judging panel, I connected with industry peers, and explored the region’s rapidly evolving tech and investment landscape. Quick shout out to our portfolio companies - Giovanni Barilla, co-founder of Tweaq for making it to the finals of the Innovation challenge and to Ivan Nokhrin co-founder 🟥BuiltAPI for making to the semi-finals! Proud of you guys! What an incredibly interesting trip it was - cliches challenged and broken, with my own perspective formed on the region's rapid growth and investment potential. Here’s what I observed: 🇸🇦 Rapid Development and Government Support: The pace of development is striking, driven by substantial government backing across sectors. A key focus is on fostering local talent and establishing tech clusters to sustain long-term growth while diversifying the country’s wealth beyond oil. Tech and digital transformation are at the heart of this effort, signalling Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a sustainable, innovation-led economy. 🚺 Female Empowerment: Women are stepping into prominent roles across tech, business, and leadership, driven by impactful inclusivity initiatives. The progress achieved in just a decade is nothing short of remarkable - what many countries haven’t accomplished in a century. 💼 Venture Capital on the Rise: The VC landscape has grown exponentially, from virtually nonexistent to over 50 funds in just a decade. As venture capital emerges as a key asset class, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to channel investments into its own growing tech ecosystem. 💵 Investment Focus: Investment is centred on emerging tech like AI, deeptech, proptech and fintech, alongside critical sectors such as delivery and transportation. 🚀 Opportunities & Later-Stage Gaps: While early-stage funding is on the rise, later-stage infrastructure is still maturing, though international VCs are stepping in. 💡Emerging Exits: Exit pathways are developing, with growing opportunities but secondary markets still in their infancy. This is just the beginning for a region brimming with potential. Thank you Riyadh and Cityscape for the opportunity! #Cityscape #PropTech #SaudiArabia #Investment #Innovation CC: Second Century Ventures, Mahyar Ebrahimi, Barney Reeves, Julia Arlt, Menno Lammers, Rebekah Tobias, Wouter Truffino, James Dearsley, Faris Haddad, Hamdy ElSheshtawy, Louise Donegan⚡️, Paolo Rigutto, Andre B., Silvia Eldawi (CIPS) ❤️, Balazs Szima-Marmarosi, Dominic Grace FRICS. Mete Varas, Maciej (Matthew) Markowski

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Welcome to the recording of our STARTUP DESTINATION webinar: "Unlocking Opportunities in Saudi Fundraising." In this session, we dive deep into the funding landscape for startups in Saudi Arabia. Whether you joined us live or are catching up now, this webinar offers invaluable insights from industry experts on how to effectively navigate fundraising in the Saudi market. YT Link in first Comment

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24 Fintech: A Groundbreaking Milestone for Saudi Arabia’s Fintech Industry Saudi Arabia's inaugural 24 Fintech event concluded with resounding success, positioning Riyadh as a global hub for financial technology. The event, which attracted over 37,000 attendees and featured 350 speakers from across the globe, was the largest debut fintech event in history. Hosted by the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), and the Capital Market Authority (CMA), it fostered collaboration and innovation, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to drive economic diversification. Key takeaways from the event included major investments, partnerships, and innovation across sectors like real estate, finance, and insurance. The event also saw the Fintech Forge Pitch Competition, where Ejari, a Saudi startup, won the coveted 24 Fintech Award and $100,000 for its innovative rent-now-pay-later solution. Discussions on the evolving Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) market, and breakthroughs in digital commerce, further solidified the event's relevance to the fintech landscape. The 24 Fintech conference also highlighted Saudi Arabia's growing fintech market, with experts noting a projected market growth from $64 billion in 2024 to $87 billion by 2029. With strategic partnerships and investments from global firms like BlackRock, Checkout.com, and STC Bank, the Kingdom is set to cement its place as a fintech powerhouse. This event is a clear indication of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving the future of finance. #24Fintech #SaudiArabia #FintechInnovation #Vision2030 #DigitalTransformation #FinancialTechnology #GlobalFintech #FintechSaudi

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Easy Steps To Obtain A Commercial License In Saudi Arabia Discover the easy steps to obtain a commercial license in Saudi Arabia. Learn about the required documents, registration process, fees, and tips for successfully launching your business in the Kingdom. Start your entrepreneurial journey today. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gsVu_mxE #saudibusiness #commerciallicense #saudiarabiabusiness #entrepreneurship #businessinsaudi #saudistartups #licenseprocess #businessregistration #saudientrepreneurs #businessgrowth

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📊 A month of revitalization in MENA MENA startups raised $282M across 63 deals in September — 234% increase from August and a 607% surge compared to September 2023. Venture capitalists continue to favor early-stage investments, with Seed-stage startups securing $102M across 32 deals. Debt financing accounted for only 12% of the total volume. The largest deal was closed by Saudi Arabian startup SHIFT, raising $82.8M to expand its car-sharing platform. In second place was Syarah, an online marketplace for buying and selling cars, which raised $60M in a Series C round (including $20M in debt financing). The top three countries remained unchanged: 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: 23 startups raised $170.8M.  🇦🇪 UAE: 12 startups raised $73.8M.  🇪🇬 Egypt: 13 startups raised $25M. Despite geopolitical challenges, the MENA ecosystem continues to grow. In Q3 2024, startups raised $727M, a 192% increase year-over-year. The outlook for Q4 remains positive.

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🚀 Today marks an important day for the startup ecosystem in Saudi Arabia & Stryber, and here’s why: I couldn't be more proud to announce that Sanabil Investments has chosen Stryber as their partner to create and operate their Venture Studio "Sanabil Studio". Since its inception in early 2023, Sanabil Studio has been in stealth mode, deploying $14 million in capital during its first year. Sanabil Studio is dedicated to creating scalable technology ventures and advancing the Saudi Arabian startup ecosystem. Our initial venture building efforts focus on fintech, consumer goods, and tourism & leisure. Today, at the one-year anniversary of Sanabil Studio, I’m thrilled we can finally announce this extraordinary partnership. I am personally looking forward to drive this forward with an amazing team on both sides as well as incredible, entrepreneurial talent from the region! And to our new partner, Sanabil Investments: thank you for the trust in Stryber! Want to learn more about Sanabil Studio?  🔗 Check out the link in the comments! #venturebuilding #saudiarabia #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship

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Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem has affirmed its leading position in the funding space, capturing over 53 percent of the region’s venture debt financing in 2023, according to MAGNiTT’s latest report. The venture data platform revealed that Saudi startups raised a total of $400 million in venture debt last year, a 602 percent growth compared to $57 million in 2022. Venture debt is a type of financing for early-stage companies that complements equity funding. It includes growth capital for expansion, equipment financing for asset acquisition, and accounts receivable financing for managing cash flow. The Middle East and North Africa region saw a total of $757 million in venture debt financing in 2023, a 262 percent year-on-year growth. The UAE followed Saudi Arabia with a total of $353 million in financing in 2023, a 222 percent yearly increase. Egypt came in third with $4 million, an 86 percent annual drop. Fintech emerged once again as the sector of choice for investors, accumulating $601 million in financing, a 325 percent yearly increase. #MENA #GCC #Investment #fundraising #Startups #Venturedebt #privatequity #Venturecapital #Saudiarabia #UAE #Egypt

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MENA Outlook: In August, Arab News shared that early-stage investments are dominating the MENA funding landscape. Seed-stage startups attracted $96 million, while Series A rounds garnered $91.7 million. This growth highlights the region’s resilience in the face of global economic and geopolitical challenges. BeyondSeed is well-positioned to nurture such early-stage startups as we continue to grow our portfolio in the Middle East. Are you interested in being a part of this growing community of founders and funders in the region? Contact us at [email protected]. #beyondseed #startupecosystem #growtogether #MENA #funding Kuldeep Mirani Sipika Nigam Fiza Malhotra Radhika Jain, CFA Kedar Mehta CA Jagariti Mathur Sanjita Talreja

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The annual fintech report provides an in depth review of the fintech sector in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s fintech strategy focuses on fostering innovation, enhancing financial accessibility, and promoting economic diversification under Vision 2030. The strategy prioritizes digital payments, open banking, blockchain, and AI-driven financial services. Key initiatives include regulatory support from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the Capital Market Authority (CMA), the launch of a regulatory framework, and substantial government backed funding programs. The ecosystem has expanded with numerous fintech startups and significant private and public investment. This growth has accelerated financial inclusion and transformed the Kingdom’s financial services landscape. https://lnkd.in/dwKiM9uS #venturecapital #saudiarabia #investment #innovation #entrepreneurship #fintech #ecommerce #vision2030 #globalInvesting #mena

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