Saudi Arabia’s venture capital scene is off to a strong start in 2025, maintaining its lead in the region. Zension Technologies secured $30 million in Series A funding led by Wa’ed Ventures, joined by Sumitomo Corporation and Global Ventures. Founded in 2018, Zension offers protection services for electronics across Saudi and UAE markets, with plans to launch a new service, Zaam, soon.
SVC Invests in $150m Tech Fund
Saudi Venture Capital invested in Global Ventures III, a tech-focused fund over $150 million, targeting sectors like supply chain tech and AI across the Middle East and Africa. Nabeel Koshak of SVC highlighted this as part of their strategy to boost early-stage investments in Saudi startups.
The market opportunity remains vast, driven by innovative founders.
Noor Sweid, Global Ventures
SVC, founded in 2018, aims to support startups from inception to IPO through strategic investments. Global Ventures’ Noor Sweid emphasized their commitment to Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem.
Revie Raises $2.5m for Interior Design Platform
Revie, a Saudi platform for renovations, raised $2.5 million in seed funding. Founded by Ibrahim Abu Khadra, Revie connects clients with service providers for a smooth renovation process, planning to enhance its technology with the new funds.
Vreal’s AR/VR Tech Gains Pre-Seed Funding
Vreal, a Saudi AR/VR tech firm, received pre-seed investment from numu Angels. Founded in 2022, Vreal’s tech converts products into 3D models rapidly and plans to expand into sectors like real estate and tourism.
MilkStraw AI Secures $600k to Expand in MENA
MilkStraw AI, based in the UAE, raised $600,000 to grow in the MENA region. Founded by Jawad Shreim, the company provides AI solutions to reduce cloud infrastructure costs, aiming to broaden its regional reach.
Mintiply Capital Joins Fuel Venture Capital for GCC SPV
Mintiply Capital partnered with Fuel Venture Capital to launch a Special Purpose Vehicle, focusing on early-stage startups in the Gulf, particularly the UAE. This initiative supports the UAE’s goal of a vibrant startup ecosystem.
ReNile Raises $450k for Agritech Solutions
Egypt’s ReNile, an agritech startup, secured $450,000 to enhance its farming solutions. Founded by Hazem El-Tawab, ReNile offers tools for efficient farming practices, promoting data-driven agriculture.
MSME Lending in Saudi Arabia Grows
Saudi Arabia reported a 22.6% increase in MSME lending, reaching $87.8 billion. The government aims for financial institutions to dedicate 20% of their portfolios to this sector under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia Leads MENA Venture Capital
For the second year, Saudi Arabia topped MENA venture capital rankings, raising $750 million and closing 178 deals. Despite a regional decline, the Middle East showed resilience with $1.5 billion in funding, while emerging markets faced a downturn.