Startup funding in Saudi Arabia

Venture capital in Saudi Arabia (KSA): how startup funding works

Most venture capital in Saudi Arabia reaches founders through VC funds backed by state fund-of-funds. Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) commits up to 65% of a fund's capital to VC managers and also runs a Direct Investments arm (minimum ticket SAR 1,000,000, at most 30% of each round). Jada Fund of Funds has committed more than 3.5 billion across 47 portfolio funds, and Sanabil Investments commits more than $3 billion a year to global private investments. Founders reach this capital through the funds these programmes back; each fund's page on the map names its backers.

VC funds in KSA that publish their tickets: Wa'ed Ventures invests up to $20M per deal from a $500M fund, seed to growth, with a $100M early-stage AI allocation; Nama Ventures writes $100K–$1M at pre-seed and $500K–$2M at seed; KAUST Innovation Ventures typically invests $100K–$700K, up to $500K at seed and up to $2M at early stage. Funds that publish their size include Aramco Ventures ($7.5B committed capital), Prosperity7 ($3B fund), 1957 Ventures (SAR 1B fund for Series A and B fintech rounds, backed by Riyad Bank), Tech Invest Com (SAR 1B committed, Series A to B), Impact46 (SAR 500M Fund III), MASNA Ventures (SAR 375M defense fund) and STV ($100M AI fund). Most other Saudi VC firms publish only their stage, such as RAED Ventures and Vision Ventures (pre-seed to Series A).

Venture capital in Riyadh: firms on the map with a Riyadh base include Waad Investment (Pre-Series A to Series B, $200M targeted value), 1957 Ventures and s60 Ventures (fintech), Sadu Capital (pre-seed to Series A), Sukna Ventures (pre-seed to Series B, also in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi), Ula Capital (deeptech: climate, healthcare and AI), Watheeq PropTech Venture Fund, Artal Capital (growth fund for Saudi tech companies) and Growth Catalyst (SAR 360M first close for mid-market companies). Angel networks based in Riyadh include Riyadh Angel Investors (50+ members, $10K–$100K per investor) and Falak Angels (Deal Day pitching events); OQAL pairs angel tickets with SVC co-investment up to 1:1, SAR 100K–7.5M per round.

Accelerators that invest: Antler MENAP invests $180,000 via SAFE for 11% equity, with up to $320,000 uncapped follow-on, and runs residencies in Riyadh in the fall (next start date not published). 500 Global Saudi invests $100,000 or more, minus a $35,000 per-startup programme fee; its current cohort runs in Riyadh until December 2026. Orbit Ventures invests $80,000–100,000 in every startup over 4-month batches, and Merak Capital's Exel programme offers up to $150K cash plus $150K in-kind. Finspire (fintech) closed applications on 18 October 2026; Flat6Labs Riyadh marks its Saudi programmes not active.

Grants and loans: NTDP's MVPLab grants up to SAR 150,000 (its portal currently opens only the Tamkeen product). RDIA's Saudi Innovation Grants pay up to SAR 4 million per project, but the last call closed in May 2025, and TAQADAM gives a $40K base grant plus up to $100K follow-on, opening once a year in April. The Social Development Bank lends SAR 50,000-500,000 over up to 9 years to Saudi nationals, and Kafalah guarantees up to 80% of bank financing, up to 90% for start-ups. Setting up: the Ministry of Investment (MISA) handles investor registration, and the Premium Residency entrepreneur track needs a MISA entrepreneur licence and a round of at least SAR 400,000 (one-time fee SAR 4,000).

In numbers: 133 programmes in Saudi Arabia, 68 taking applications; 25 state on their own websites that they take companies from abroad (November 2026).

Facts from each programme’s own website, checked October – November 2026. Amounts in the currency the programme publishes.

Next published deadlines in Saudi Arabia

• Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GEN31 May 2027

Every other programme in Saudi Arabia on the map takes applications on a rolling basis or reopens in calls. Add the deadlines to your calendar.

Questions founders ask about venture capital and funding in Saudi Arabia