Where the money is flowing: AI, agritech, and fintech set to lead Saudi venture capital ecosystem
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's venture capital ecosystem is entering a pivotal phase of growth, fueled by a surge in domestic and international investment targeting sectors aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Agriculture tech, fintech, artificial intelligence, and clean energy are emerging as key pillars of this transformation, driven by regulatory reforms, demographic shifts, and a rising global investor appetite.
The country's ambition to become a regional innovation hub is drawing sustained capital inflows, placing it at the center of the broader emerging venture market investment narrative.
Domestic ambition shapes sectoral disposition
Said Murad, senior partner at investment firm Global Ventures, cited Saudi Arabia's high food import dependency and its ambitions to boost domestic production as key in drawing funds to the Kingdom.
'Agritech and climate-related technologies will certainly contribute to the next phase of investment growth,' he told Arab News in an interview.
Complementing this trend, Philip Bahoshy, CEO of MAGNiTT, pointed to fintech, AI, clean energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing as areas expected to dominate future funding.
'These sectors align with Vision 2030's push for economic diversification and digital transformation,' he told Arab News, with health tech and deep tech also gaining traction due to increasing research and development support and regulatory tailwinds.
AI, in particular, is emerging as a dominant investment theme in the region. According to MAGNiTT's 2025 predictions, the sector is set to double its share of venture capital funding in emerging venture markets this year, following a surge of high-profile deals in 2024.
'AI was the main driver of investment activity both in the private and public markets in the US and other mature markets in 2024,' the platform noted, referencing data from PitchBook.
In the first nine months of 2024, AI accounted for 41.3 percent of US venture capital funding. In Saudi Arabia, this momentum is reflected in deals such as Intelmatix's $20 million Series A round and Amazon Web Services's planned data center investment, both signaling the Kingdom's rising stake in the global AI landscape.
MAGNiTT also cited broader geopolitical and commercial developments in the AI space, including chip export agreements, as indicators of the sector's rising importance in the region.
'Based on our proprietary data, we expect AI funding to double in 2025 due to increased investor attention to innovative AI startups,' the company stated.
Beyond AI, Global Ventures' investment in Iyris, an agritech company spun out of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, illustrates the potential of local innovation to address long-standing structural challenges.
'Iyris is positively disrupting agricultural practices for mid-to-low-tech farmers, particularly in hot climates,' Murad said.
The startup launched the National Food Production Initiative in 2023, partnering with SABIC and Red Sea Global to establish a sustainable farming project in Bada, Saudi Arabia, aimed at regenerating unproductive land and enhancing food security.
Fintech remains another strong area of interest, supported by a digitally connected population and a push toward financial inclusion.
'With 98 percent internet penetration and 97 percent smartphone adoption among the 18-to-78-year age group, the Kingdom has one of the world's most digitally enabled populations,' Murad said.
He views this as a key enabler for innovation in financial services, both consumer-facing and enterprise-driven.
Focused sectors, broad appeal
Capital inflows into Saudi Arabia are being driven not only by sector performance but also by global institutional interest in the region.
According to MAGNiTT, firms including BlackRock, Golden Gate Ventures, and Polen Capital have already established offices or acquired licenses in the Kingdom, the UAE, or Qatar.
Others, including General Catalyst and the BRICS Investment Fund, have made their investment debuts or launched dedicated MENA-focused funds.
'In 2025, we expect even more investors and asset managers to set up offices in the EVM regions, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE,' MAGNiTT stated, attributing this to the region's 'friendly business-enabling environment.'
Deal flow in the Kingdom has grown across all funding stages. 'Saudi Arabia saw a surge in pre-seed and seed-stage funding,' said Murad, noting that demand for later-stage capital is increasing as startups validate their models and seek international expansion.
Supporting this trajectory is a growing exit pipeline. In 2024, Saudi Arabia completed 42 initial public offerings, ranking seventh globally in capital raised.
'This growing pipeline of exits signals the increasing maturity of the country's capital markets and reinforces the long-term viability of its venture ecosystem,' Murad added.
As international capital intensifies, local venture firms are adapting their strategies to remain competitive.
'Regional players active in the market will understand local nuances, ultimately providing a competitive advantage,' Murad said.
He emphasized that investors offering operational support and showcasing portfolio success stories will be best positioned to attract international limited partners.
The Kingdom's regulatory environment is increasingly seen as a strength in the region's venture capital narrative.
'Government initiatives and the regulatory framework are geared to venture capital firms investing in startups in a secure, forward-thinking, and robust environment,' Murad said.
Still, he cautioned that strong business fundamentals remain essential. 'The need for entrepreneurs to have strong, sustainable business models with good unit economics is as necessary as ever,' said the Global Ventures partner.
Despite global uncertainties, Saudi entrepreneurs may be better equipped than most to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment.
'At Global Ventures, we refer to the 'adversity advantage'— a natural upside for regional entrepreneurs who are used to working with, and around, resource scarcity,' Murad said.
'This has empowered them, by design, to build businesses more resilient and adaptable to challenges,' he added.
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