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Saudi startup ecosystem takes a huge leap

Saudi and regional venture capital firms announced the launch of massive funding programs to support startups at the LEAP2023 in Riyadh last week. (SPA)
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Updated 12 February 2023
Nour El-Shaeri
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Saudi startup ecosystem takes a huge leap

  • Flurry of deals, launch of investment funds boosts entrepreneurship, innovation
Updated 12 February 2023
Nour El-Shaeri

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem took a giant leap in the world of funding and venture capital with seven investment firms earmarked $636 million to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the Kingdom.

The announcements were made during the LEAP2023 held in Riyadh last week. Saudi and regional venture capital firms launched massive funding programs to support startups in the region.

Saudi-based venture capital firm STV launched its first fund worth $150 million for alternative financing compatible with the Shariah law while Riyadh-based IMPACT46 also announced a $133 million fund, which targets emerging technology companies in the Kingdom and the Middle East.

Another Saudi venture capital firm, Merak Capital, launched a fund valued at $53 million.

Announcements at the event also included Rakeza’s venture capital fund backed by a global business accelerator in Riyadh valued at $25 million as well as Saudi venture builder BIM Ventures’ $100 million fund in partnership with Al-Sulaiman Group.

UAE-based venture capital firm Shorooq Partners launched a fund estimated to be worth $115 million to accelerate electronic games in the region while investment firm Planetary Capital floated the first Saudi-Canadian corpus to invest in emerging space technology companies, both local and global, amounting to $30 million.  

Saudi venture capital firm Flat6labs also dedicated approximately $20 million to its Startup Seed Fund which aims to invest in early stage startups. Saudi Aramco announced that additional funds had been allocated by the company to Wa’ed Ventures, increasing the size of its Kingdom-focused venture capital arm from $200 million to $500 million. 




Saudi-based palm.hr closed a $5 million funding round on Wednesday. (Supplied)

LEAP 23 also witnessed open-banking platform Tarabut Gateway signing a deal with Tamam, a Saudi micro-lending provider.

Nana secures $133m in its cart

Nana, Saudi Arabia’s dark store grocery delivery startup, raised $133 million in a series C funding round last Wednesday led by Kingdom Holding Co. and Uni Ventures with participation from other investors.

Established in 2016, Nana is a digital grocery shopping platform in the Kingdom that operates in a dark store model whereby orders are delivered to customers within 15 minutes.

“This milestone will serve as a motivator for us to strengthen Nana’s position as the leading company within the region, as the success of this round heavily supports our expansion plans and continuity toward the provision of more diversified services that serve all stakeholders,” Sami Alhelwah, CEO of Nana, said in a statement.

The company plans to utilize its funding to add more diversified services as well as expand its presence in the region. 

This milestone will serve as a motivator for us to strengthen Nana’s position as the leading company within the region.

Sami Alhelwah, CEO of Nana

Sultan Holding, Al-Jasser Holding, Red Diamond Co., Dallah Al-Baraka Group, and Al-Jammaz Holding took part in the funding round.

HR tech platforms

Saudi-based human resources technology platform palm.hr closed a $5 million pre-series A funding round on Wednesday to accelerate regional expansion.

Founded in 2019, palm.hr delivers a streamlined and intuitive work experience for teams handling onboarding, vacation tracking, and payroll operations.

“With the backing of our investors, we are excited to kick off our next stage of growth and play a role in contributing to the future of the region’s economy,” said Richard Schrems, CEO and co-founder at palm.hr.  

The company will also utilize its funding to scale up its product offering as well as hire to support its customer acquisition journey.

The funding round was co-led by venture capital firms Speedinvest and RAED Ventures with participation from Wamda Capital.

Another Saudi-based HR technology startup, Marn, closed $1 million in a post-seed funding round last Thursday led by Sukna Ventures with participation from Al-Majdia investment.

Established in 2017, Marn utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide recruitment solutions as Saudi Arabia’s first flexible work platform.

“With the tremendous growth of the local economy, there is a need for providing innovative recruitment solutions to keep up with it,” said Mohammad Al-Sabeeh, founder and CEO of the startup.

Based in Riyadh, the company will use its new investment to expand its team and customer base as well as create more opportunities for job seekers.

Healthtech platform

Egypt-based healthtech platform Yodawy raised $16 million in an initial close of its series B funding round on Thursday co-led by Delivery Hero Ventures, the venture capital firm of global food delivery platform Delivery Hero, and Global Ventures, a UAE-based venture capital firm.

Founded in 2018, the healthtech startup offers a marketplace where patients can process prescriptions and place an online order for medicines.

The platform has processed over 4 million prescriptions to date and partnered with 20 health insurance companies, 3,000 pharmacies, and more than 300 corporates in Egypt while raising a total of $24.5 million to date.

The company plans to use the fresh funding to drive the growth of its signature Care Program for chronic patients, continue to automate its operations as well as support its regional expansion strategy.

Moreover, Kuwait’s online flower and gift delivery platform Floward closed $156 million in a pre-IPO series C funding round on Tuesday led by Aljazira Capital, Rainwater Partners, and STV.

The company will use its funding to expand its gifting verticals and enhance its customer experience using AI and machine learning as well as ramp up its acquisitions and mergers activity.

Bahrain’s fintech Aion Digital closed a $5 million bridge round last Thursday led by Fintactics Ventures, which is a $40 million fintech-focused venture fund launched during the LEAP23 event in Riyadh.

Founded in 2017, Aion provides an API-based digital banking platform, enabling its clients to create personalized digital products to increase customer engagement.

Aion recently opened offices in the Kingdom and plans to utilize its funding to expand its presence across the region.

Topics: LEAP23 ecosystem saudi startups

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892

Updated 25 December 2024
REEM WALID 
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892

  • Parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28%, to close at 31,007.06
  • MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21%, to close at 1,493.74
Updated 25 December 2024
REEM WALID 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Wednesday, losing 21.63 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 11,892.32.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.79 billion ($746 million), as 132 of the stocks advanced and 86 retreated. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 31,007.06. This comes as 49 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 1,493.74. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share price surged 8.33 percent to SR0.52. 

Other top performers included Red Sea International Co., whose share price rose 6.32 percent to SR60.60 and Saudi Industrial Development Co., whose share price surged 5.07 percent to SR30.05.

MBC Group Co. recorded the biggest drop, falling 3.31 percent to SR52.50.

Bawan Co. also saw its stock prices fall 3.05 percent to SR54.10.

Savola Group saw its stock prices drop 2.97 percent to SR35.90.

On the announcements front, Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, has announced ‎acquiring a full stake of Mosaic Phosphate in Waad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the financial impact of the acquisition will be reflected in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending Dec.31.

Ma’aden ended the session at SR49.20, up 0.61 percent.

Kingdom Holding Co. has announced the acquisition of an additional stake in xAI, with a total investment of SR 1.5 billion, as part of xAI’s Series C funding round. 

A bourse filing revealed that the transaction comes after KHC’s previous investment of the same amount in xAI during its Series B funding round. 

The move falls in line with KHC’s strategic collaboration with Elon Musk, and also follows its strategic stake in X, formerly known as Twitter, held since 2015. xAI is an artificial intelligence firm established by Elon Musk and a team of top-notch engineers to build AI to further accelerate human scientific discovery as a whole.

KHC ended the session at SR9.35, up 0.88 percent.

Bank Al-Jazira has announced its intention to issue Additional Tier 1 Sukuk under its SR 5 billion Additional Tier 1 Capital Sukuk Issuance Program by way of private placement in Saudi Arabia. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the bank has mandated Al-Jazira Capital, Al-Rajhi Capital and HSBC Saudi Arabia as joint lead managers and dealers for the potential offer. The filing further revealed that the purpose of the offer is to bolster the capital base of the bank, thereby backing its financial and strategic needs.

Bank Al-Jazira ended the session at SR18.64, up 0.21 percent.

Methanol Chemicals Co. has announced the approval of the Ministry of Energy’s request to renew the allocation of the required feedstock to produce several specialized petrochemical products. 

A bourse filing revealed that this follows the company’s Industrial Plot Allocation Agreement with Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Cities Services Co. in the PlasChem Park in Jubail (2) to establish and operate a Choline Chloride and Methyl Diethanolamine Methane plant.

Methanol Chemicals Co. ended the session at SR18.70, down 0.32 percent.

View United Real Estate Development Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Watheeq Capital to establish real estate funds to enhance investment opportunities.

According to a Tadawul statement, it will be valid from the date of its signature for one year, and will not be automatically renewed except by a written agreement signed between the two parties.

View United Real Estate Development Co. ended the session at SR68.50, down 0.70 percent.

Topics: Saudi Arabia Closing Bell TASI Tadawul MSCI Tadawul Index NOMU Saudi stock market Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) Tadawul All Share Index (TASI)

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MODON inks $453m in private sector deals to expand Saudi industrial cities

Updated 25 December 2024
Mohammed Al-Kinani 
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MODON inks $453m in private sector deals to expand Saudi industrial cities

Updated 25 December 2024
Mohammed Al-Kinani 

JEDDAH: Saudi industrial cities are set for further growth as the sector's authority revealed it has signed 23 development contracts with the private sector, valued at over SR1.7 billion ($453 million). 

The agreements, announced by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, or MODON, encompass a wide range of projects aimed at boosting industrial capabilities.  

These include the expansion of industrial cities, the construction of ready-made factories, the enhancement of MODON’s safety and security systems, and initiatives aligned with the National Industry Strategy.  

Additionally, the projects will address water and irrigation needs, improve water treatment facilities, upgrade electricity services, and expand road networks. 

MODON’s latest contracts highlight the growing role of the private sector in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize economic diversification, local production, and the creation of an attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investment.  

The projects are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi industrial cities, foster greater investment, and improve operational efficiency for businesses. 

The agreements will also contribute to regional development, improve environmental sustainability, and promote vegetation growth, MODON stated in a post on its X account. 

The development of these projects is in line with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to build a dynamic and innovative economy. 

This move follows a previous round of agreements in July, when MODON signed nine contracts valued at SR1 billion to enhance infrastructure and service facilities across various industrial hubs. Key initiatives from that round included the development of infrastructure in Makkah’s and Jeddah’s industrial cities and the installation of 132-kilovolt overhead power lines in Tabuk’s industrial city. 

Looking ahead, MODON plans further expansion with projects that will improve electrical services, such as the construction of 115-kV overhead power lines in Hafr Al-Batin’s industrial city. The authority is also focusing on enhancing infrastructure networks for the first and second phases of Dammam’s Third Industrial City. 

Since its establishment in 2001, MODON has overseen the development of 36 industrial cities and is responsible for managing both operational and under-construction industrial lands across the Kingdom.  

In the first quarter of 2024, MODON attracted SR3.4 billion in private sector investments, signed 142 new industrial contracts, and registered a total of 6,758 factories. 

As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, MODON also planted over 576,000 trees and finalized 335 logistics contracts, underscoring its broader environmental and economic development objectives.

Topics: MODON idustrial sector

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2.25m freelancers in Saudi Arabia join national economy

Updated 25 December 2024
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
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2.25m freelancers in Saudi Arabia join national economy

  • The 25— 34 age group is particularly active in freelancing
  • 62% of freelancers hold bachelor’s degrees
Updated 25 December 2024
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Freelancing is emerging as a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s economy, with over 2.25 million individuals registered on the freelance platform by September.

This growth reflects the rising popularity of flexible work, supported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s launch of the “Future Work” company in 2019 to enhance the freelancing ecosystem by promoting modern workstyles, including remote work and flexible-hour freelancing.

The company’s mission is to create more job opportunities, empower Saudi talent, and develop a labor market that complements traditional employment while aligning with global trends, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Freelancers make a notable contribution to Saudi Arabia’s economy. In 2023, the sector contributed SR72.5 billion ($19 billion) to the gross domestic product, representing 2 percent of the Kingdom’s total output. This highlights its role in diversifying income sources and strengthening the national economy.

The initiative, along with other efforts, has contributed to reducing the Kingdom’s unemployment rates. Saudi Arabia has revised its unemployment target to 5 percent by 2030, down from the previous goal of 7 percent, as part of Vision 2030’s ambitions.

The progress was highlighted by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi during a panel discussion at the Budget Forum 2024 in November, where he detailed the Kingdom’s strides in improving employment figures. Al-Rajhi said that the unemployment rate among Saudis was 12.8 percent in 2018, and it has recently dropped to 7.1 percent.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issues freelance certificates to individuals specializing in specific fields, enabling them to work independently in activities approved by the ministry through the official freelance portal.

A recent report from Future Work highlights the sector’s rapid development and its alignment with Vision 2030. The report also emphasizes the diverse nature of freelance activities, with trade and retail leading at 38 percent, followed by industry at 13 percent and business services at 11 percent. The diversity demonstrates the sector’s adaptability to meet various economic needs.

Freelancing accommodates individuals with different educational backgrounds. According to the report, 62 percent of freelancers hold bachelor’s degrees, while 31 percent have high school diplomas or less, and 7 percent possess higher degrees.

Technology plays a pivotal role in the sector’s growth, with digital platforms becoming indispensable for freelancers, especially in fields like technology, information, and finance. These tools enhance productivity and connectivity, fostering sustainability and success in freelance careers.

Geographically, the Riyadh region accounts for the largest share of freelancers at 27 percent, followed by Makkah at 22 percent, and the Eastern Province at 14 percent.

The 25— 34 age group is particularly active in freelancing, reflecting the younger generation’s growing interest in this flexible career path.

The report said that 3.2 million women have expressed interest in joining the freelance market, underscoring the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at enabling women to balance professional and personal commitments.

Government programs like Reef, the Social Development Bank, and the Human Resources Development Fund further support freelancers by fostering an environment conducive to their growth and success, SPA reported.

Topics: Saudi Arabia freelancers Saudi freelance workforce Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) Saudi employment

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Saudi Arabia’s food & beverage sales drive $3.14bn in consumer spending

Updated 25 December 2024
Nour El-Shaeri  
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Saudi Arabia’s food & beverage sales drive $3.14bn in consumer spending

  • Restaurants and cafes topped the list with SR1.69 billion in transactions: SAMA data
Updated 25 December 2024
Nour El-Shaeri  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s consumer spending reached SR11.8 billion ($3.14 billion) in the week of Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, with the food and beverage sectors continuing to lead in sales, official data showed. 

Despite an overall decline of 8.1 percent from the previous week, key sectors, especially dining and food, showed consistent performance, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA.  

The restaurants and cafes sector topped the list with SR1.69 billion in transactions, despite a 13.9 percent weekly dip. Food and beverage spending followed closely, settling at SR1.69 billion as well, reflecting a 9 percent decrease. These categories, however, maintained their dominance in consumer expenditure. 

The overall decrease in consumer spending is attributed to the timing of salary disbursements, traditionally paid on the 27th of each month, which typically leads to lower spending in the preceding weeks.  

Additionally, the winter holiday season, during which many expatriates travel home, further influenced the dip in domestic spending. 

Other sectors saw more moderate drops. The value of clothing and footwear transactions fell by 5.2 percent to SR864.15 million, while construction and building materials recorded a small 0.9 percent decline, totaling SR355 million.  

The electronics and electric devices sector saw an 8.7 percent weekly decrease in value, while gas stations and health-related sales also experienced declines of 9.4 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively. 

Jewelry sales recorded a 14.4 percent drop in transaction volumes, with a slight 3.9 percent decrease in value. Miscellaneous goods and services saw a 9.1 percent reduction in sales, totaling SR1.4 billion. 

Regional breakdown  

Regionally, Riyadh remained the largest market with a POS value of SR4.2 billion, although this represented a 6 percent decrease compared to the previous week.  

Jeddah saw a 7.5 percent drop to SR1.6 billion, while Dammam recorded a slight 3.6 percent decline to SR617.5 million. 

Among smaller cities, Hail experienced the largest decrease, with spending down 14.8 percent to SR169.6 million, and a 12.2 percent reduction in transaction volumes. Makkah recorded a 4.4 percent decline in value, settling at SR502.8 million, while Tabuk saw a 12.8 percent decrease in transaction value to SR210.4 million. 

Despite the seasonal slowdown, the food and beverage sectors continue to drive the market, maintaining a steady pace as consumer behavior shifts with the winter season. 

Topics: SAMA point of sales

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Saudi Arabia leverages project management to achieve Vision 2030 milestones

Updated 25 December 2024
MANAL AL-BARAKATI
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Saudi Arabia leverages project management to achieve Vision 2030 milestones

Updated 25 December 2024
MANAL AL-BARAKATI

RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of the ambitious goals set out in Vision 2030, project management has emerged as a key enabler, ensuring that planning aligns seamlessly with execution to achieve transformative outcomes.

This vital discipline is playing a crucial role in turning visionary ideas into reality, as highlighted during a prominent forum held on Tuesday.

The event emphasized the central role of project management in realizing Vision 2030, a comprehensive framework launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The vision aims to diversify the economy and reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil. Currently, over 5,000 projects, valued at $5 trillion, are underway, signaling Saudi Arabia's substantial progress in reshaping both its economic and social landscapes.

“Project management is the bridge where vision meets ambition, converting plans into tangible results,” said Badr Burshaid, chairman of the Global Project Management Forum.

He also pointed to the Kingdom's significant investment in human capital, particularly through initiatives such as the Human Capability Development Program, which has placed Saudi Arabia among the top 10 nations globally in equipping professionals with essential business skills.

The forum highlighted the importance of strategic execution in driving economic transformation.

Badr Al-Dulami, deputy minister of transport and logistics services for roads affairs, described project management as the “pulse of transformation,” underscoring its role in fostering competitiveness and innovation.

“This summit is not just an event but a platform for uniting expertise and driving collaboration,” Al-Dulami said.

During the forum, excellence awards were presented to pioneering projects that exemplify Vision 2030’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and impactful outcomes.

Al-Dulami noted that these awards serve as an invitation to explore new horizons of creativity while staying aligned with national objectives.

Saudi Arabia’s success under Vision 2030 is evident across several key sectors. With 87 percent of initiatives either completed or on track, the Kingdom has made significant strides in improving its business environment, generating employment, and advancing major projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project.

These achievements not only demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s strategic capabilities but also highlight its leadership in executing large-scale initiatives.

In closing, Burshaid urged participants to harness the insights and momentum gained from the forum to ensure continued progress.

“The seeds planted today will grow into achievements that inspire future generations,” he said, encouraging stakeholders to prioritize innovation and collaboration as Saudi Arabia moves forward.

With project management at the heart of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is setting a global benchmark for strategic execution and sustainable development, solidifying its role as a leader in transformative growth.

Topics: project management SaudiVision2030

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