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Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem kicks off 2025 on a strong note

Zension Technologies specializes in providing warranties, device buy-back services, and subscription-based technology upgrades. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 January 2025
Nour El-Shaeri
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Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem kicks off 2025 on a strong note

  • Zension Technologies raises $30 million in a series A funding round
Updated 12 January 2025
Nour El-Shaeri

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s venture capital and startup ecosystem kicked off 2025 with fresh funding rounds as the Kingdom continues its regional dominance.

Zension Technologies raised $30 million in a series A funding round led by Wa’ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco.

The round also saw participation from Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and regional investor Global Ventures.

Founded in 2018 by Khalid Saiduddin and Nikos Anastasiadis, Zension provides protection, extended warranty, and guaranteed buyback services for mobile devices and consumer electronics.

These services are integrated into major retailers, telecommunications companies, and original equipment manufacturers operating in the Saudi and UAE markets.

With the fresh funding, Zension aims to launch its new service, Zaam, which is set to debut in the first quarter of the year across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

SVC backs $150m tech fund by Global Ventures

Saudi Venture Capital has announced its investment in Global Ventures III, an early-stage fund exceeding $150 million in size.

Managed by UAE-based Global Ventures, it will focus on investments in technology and tech-enabled sectors across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Target industries include supply chain technology, agritech, enterprise software as a service, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep tech.

“Our investment in the venture capital fund by Global Ventures is part of SVC’s Investment in Funds Program, in alignment with our strategy to catalyze venture investments by fund managers investing in Saudi-based startups, especially during their early stages,” said Nabeel Koshak, CEO and board member at SVC. 

The market opportunity continues to be immense, with emerging technologies across platforms being built by exceptional founders continuing to shine through.

Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner at Global Ventures

Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner at Global Ventures, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, saying: “We are proud of our deep and continued partnership with SVC, and the investment underscores our continued deep commitment to enabling and building the Saudi Arabian VC and startup ecosystem. 

“The market opportunity continues to be immense, with emerging technologies across platforms being built by exceptional founders continuing to shine through.”

SVC, a subsidiary of SME Bank under Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund, was established in 2018 to stimulate and sustain financing for startups and SMEs across their growth stages, from pre-seed to pre-initial public offering, through investments in funds and direct investments.

Interior design platform Revie raises $2.5m seed round

Saudi Arabia-based interior design and renovation platform Revie has raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round led by Sanabil Venture Studio by Stryber.

Established in 2024 by Ibrahim Abu Khadra, Revie provides an end-to-end solution for residential and commercial renovations.

The platform connects customers with vetted service providers and offers a seamless experience from design to execution. With the new funding, the company plans to invest in its technology and build a scalable foundation to support long-term growth.

Vreal secures pre-seed investment for AR/VR innovations

Saudi augmented and virtual reality technology provider Vreal has raised an undisclosed pre-seed investment round from the numu Angels Investment Community.

Founded in 2022, Vreal offers e-commerce businesses the ability to convert their products into 3D models in as little as 30 seconds using its advanced scanning technology.

The startup is exploring opportunities to expand its applications to other industries, including interior design, real estate, tourism, and heritage preservation. Vreal aims to strengthen its position in Saudi Arabia and tap into broader markets with its innovative technology.

MilkStraw AI raises $600k pre-seed funding to expand in MENA

UAE-headquartered artificial intelligence startup MilkStraw AI has raised $600,000 in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Flat6Labs, with participation from Angel Spark, Beyond Capital, and a group of angel investors.

MilkStraw, founded by Jawad Shreim in 2024 in the US, specializes in software solutions that automate and optimize cloud infrastructure costs for businesses.

The company intends to use the funding to expand its operations across the MENA region, focusing on providing cost-saving AI tools to enterprises in the region.

Mintiply Capital partners with Fuel Venture Capital for GCC-focused SPV

UAE-based Mintiply Capital, an advisory and investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions and alternative investments, has announced an exclusive partnership with US-based venture capital firm Fuel Venture Capital.

The collaboration aims to launch a Special Purpose Vehicle targeting high-potential early-stage startups across the Gulf Cooperation Council region, with a particular focus on the UAE.

This initiative is aligned with the UAE’s strategic goal of fostering a robust startup ecosystem and driving innovation as a key pillar of economic growth.

The SPV will provide targeted funding and resources to emerging startups, supporting the development of the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting sustainable economic growth.

ReNile raises $450k for agritech solutions

Egypt-based agritech startup ReNile has secured $450,000 in funding from undisclosed investors.

Founded in 2017 by Hazem El-Tawab, ReNile offers a full-stack solution for farmers that includes monitoring systems, emergency alerts, control systems, and analytics to enhance farming practices.

The company’s platform supports data-driven farming, helping users implement best-practice models to improve efficiency and yield.

MSME lending in Saudi Arabia grows by 22.6 percent in Q3 2024

Credit facilities extended to micro, small, and medium enterprises in Saudi Arabia reached SR329.23 billion ($87.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 22.6 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank.

Of the total, 94.7 percent of loans were provided by Saudi banks, while finance companies contributed the remaining 5.3 percent.

MSME lending accounted for 9.1 percent of banks’ total loan portfolios and 18.8 percent of finance companies’ portfolios.

The Saudi government has set an ambitious target for financial institutions to allocate at least 20 percent of their lending portfolios to this critical sector, as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to foster economic diversification and support business growth.

Saudi Arabia tops MENA venture capital rankings for second year

Saudi Arabia retained its position as the leading destination for venture capital in the MENA region in 2024, raising $750 million, according to a report from regional venture platform MAGNiTT.

This marks the second consecutive year the Kingdom has led regional VC rankings. Saudi Arabia accounted for 40 percent of the total venture capital deployed in MENA, closing 178 deals — the most of any nation in the region.

While total venture capital raised in MENA declined 29 percent year-on-year to $1.9 billion in 2024, MAGNiTT noted that funding levels remained above pre-boom levels from 2020, indicating resilience in the ecosystem.

The Middle East alone accounted for $1.5 billion of this funding, spread across 461 deals, a 10 percent annual increase.

Investor participation in the region grew 14 percent to 392 investors, and the year saw 24 exits.

However, emerging venture markets — including the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, as well as Pakistan and Turkiye — faced a sharp slowdown, with total venture funding dropping 40 percent and deal volumes falling 20 percent compared to 2023.

Both metrics also fell below 2020 levels, reflecting broader challenges in the global venture landscape.

Topics: Start-up of the Week

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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign agreement to boost cooperation in public sector auditing

Updated 03 February 2025
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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign agreement to boost cooperation in public sector auditing

  • Development comes during a visit to Pakistan by a Saudi General Court of Audit delegation, led by Hussam bin Abdulmohsen Al-Angari
  • Auditor General of Pakistan’s office says both sides agreed to collaborate on training programs, exchange of trainers to tackle audit challenges
Updated 03 February 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase collaboration in public sector auditing through enhanced cooperation between audit institutions of both countries as well as training programs and the exchange of trainers, a spokesperson for the Auditor-General of Pakistan’s office said on Monday.

The development comes during a four-day visit to Pakistan by a delegation of Saudi Arabia’s General Court of Audit, led by GCA President Hussam bin Abdulmohsen Al-Angari, which arrived on Sunday.

The agreement was signed during AGP Muhammad Ajmal Gondal’s meeting with the Saudi delegates, aiming to strengthen audit cooperation, enhance knowledge-sharing, and improve governance, transparency and accountability in government spending.

Muhammad Raza Irfan, a public relations officer at the AGP’s office, told Arab News the agreement will not only strengthen professional relations between auditing institutions of both countries, but also further promote bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

“This collaboration marks a significant step toward fostering international cooperation in auditing,” AGP Gondal was quoted as saying in a statement issued from his office.

“The exchange of ideas and methodologies will undoubtedly strengthen our capacity to meet emerging challenges and set new benchmarks for public accountability.”

Discussions at Monday’s meeting focused on fostering closer ties between the Supreme Audit Institutions of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, sharing innovative audit methodologies, and planning collaborative initiatives for the future, according to the AGP office.

The two sides agreed to share best practices in audit standards, performance audits, and citizen participatory audits, and expand expertise in thematic, environmental and impact audits.

“It also agreed to collaborate on training programs, exchange trainers, address emerging auditing challenges and plan cooperative audits, including a performance audit on the oil and gas sector in 2025,” the statement read.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and excellence in public sector auditing.

Dr. Alangari praised Pakistan’s initiatives in modernizing audit practices and expressed his enthusiasm for future collaborations, according to the AGP office.

“The partnership between our two SAIs is a testament to the shared vision of accountability and transparency,” the GCA president was quoted as saying.

“We are eager to build upon this momentum and address challenges collectively, ensuring value addition to public sector auditing globally.”

The meeting underscored the importance of international collaboration to address emerging challenges and leverage innovative technologies in auditing.

“The Saudi side also announced the launch of the second phase of the Fund for Improved SAI Performance, which is scheduled for mid-February,” the statement said.

“The office of the AGP was also offered to apply for the second phase of FISP, which provides funds of up to $40,000.”

The GCA’s FISP initiative is aimed at providing funding to SAIs in developing countries to help them improve their performance and capacity in conducting audits and upholding accountability within their respective governments.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and economic allies, and both countries signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion in October last year. The Kingdom is home to over 2 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top destination for remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.

Topics: Saudi-Pakistan ties Saudi General Court of Audit

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Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in red at 12,377

Updated 03 February 2025
NOUR EL-SHAERI   
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Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in red at 12,377

  • MSCI Tadawul Index dropped by 3.79 points, or 0.25%, to close at 1,541.82
  • Parallel market Nomu lost 48.69 points, or 0.16%, to close at 31,056.38
Updated 03 February 2025
NOUR EL-SHAERI   

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dropped on Monday, losing 32.84 points, or 0.26 percent, to close at 12,377.03.  

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.55 billion ($1.75 billion), as 65 of the listed stocks advanced, while 170 retreated.   

The MSCI Tadawul Index also dropped by 3.79 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 1,541.82.  

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 48.69 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 31,056.38. This comes as 37 of the listed stocks advanced and 43 retreated.  

Mutakamela Insurance Co. was the best-performing stock of the day, with its share price surging by 4.88 percent to SR18.90.  

Other top performers included Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Co., which saw its share price rise by 4.59 percent to SR18.70, and Saudi Cable Co., which saw a 3.30 percent increase to SR131.60.  

Arriyadh Development Co. rose 3.01 percent to SR35.95, while Al Mawarid Manpower Co. gained 2.87 percent to SR136. 

The National Co. for Glass Industries saw the steepest decline of the day, with its share price easing 3.72 percent to close at SR54.40. 

Elm Co. fell 2.84 percent to SR1,123, while Mouwasat Medical Services Co. dropped 2.78 percent to SR87.50. 

Bawan Co. also faced losses, with its share price dipping 2.75 percent to SR56.50, while Saudi Awwal Bank saw a 2.46 percent decline to settle at SR35.75. 

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co. announced that its subsidiary, Tadawul Advanced Solutions Co., also known as WAMID, has finalized the acquisition of the remaining 49 percent stake in Direct Financial Network Co., completing the regulatory requirements on Feb.2. 

The shares, previously owned by National Two Ventures, were acquired for SR220.5 million, making WAMID the sole owner of DirectFN. 

The transaction follows WAMID’s initial purchase of a 51 percent stake in DirectFN in May 2023 for SR134 million. 

With this latest acquisition, WAMID now holds full ownership of the financial technology company, aligning with Saudi Tadawul Group’s strategy to enhance its technological and financial services offerings. 

Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co.’s share price saw a slight 0.76 percent dip on Monday to settle at SR209.80. 

Riyad Bank announced its financial results for 2024, posting a 15.9 increase in net profit, reaching SR9.32 billion, up from SR8.04 billion in 2023. 

The growth was driven by an 18.16 percent rise in total income from special commissions, which reached SR21.62 billion, supported by higher income from loans and investments. 

Total operating profit rose 8.71 percent to SR17.28 billion, bolstered by increases in fee income, exchange income, and gains on non-trading investments. 

Operating expenses related to credit losses and asset impairments dropped 17.2 percent to SR1.63 billion, reflecting improved asset quality. 

Assets grew by 16.42 percent to SR450.37 billion, with loans and advances rising 16.65 percent to SR320.08 billion. 

Client deposits also increased significantly, up 20.21 percent to SR306.42 billion. Earnings per share rose from SR2.58 in 2023 to SR3.01 in 2024. 

Riyad Bank saw a 0.34 percent increase in its share price on Monday to reach SR29.60. 

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

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OPEC+ reaffirms commitment to production cuts

Updated 03 February 2025
Arab News
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OPEC+ reaffirms commitment to production cuts

  • Meeting reviewed crude oil production data for November and December
  • OPEC welcomed renewed pledges from overproducing countries to achieve full compliance with production targets
Updated 03 February 2025
Arab News

RIYADH: OPEC+ members reaffirmed their commitment to production cuts aimed at maintaining stability in the global oil market during a meeting held on Monday.

The 58th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee session, conducted via videoconference, reviewed crude oil production data for November and December 2024 and highlighted the strong overall compliance by both OPEC and non-OPEC countries involved in the Declaration of Cooperation.

The committee reiterated its commitment to the DoC, which is set to extend through the end of 2026. It also commended Kazakhstan and Iraq for their improved compliance, including the additional voluntary production adjustments they made.

OPEC also welcomed the renewed pledges from overproducing countries to achieve full compliance with production targets.

These countries are expected to submit updated compensation schedules to the OPEC Secretariat by the end of February 2025, covering the overproduced volumes since January 2024.

The committee stressed its ongoing role in monitoring adherence to production adjustments. It will continue to track additional voluntary production cuts announced by participating OPEC and non-OPEC nations, in line with the decisions made during the 52nd JMMC meeting on Feb. 1, 2024.

In a procedural update, the committee announced that, effective Feb. 1, 2025, Kpler, OilX, and ESAI will replace Rystad Energy and the Energy Information Administration as secondary sources for assessing crude oil production and compliance with the DoC.

The next JMMC meeting is scheduled for April 5, 2025.

Topics: OPEC OPEC+

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Oil Updates — prices gain as Trump tariffs stoke supply worries

Updated 03 February 2025
Reuters
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Oil Updates — prices gain as Trump tariffs stoke supply worries

Updated 03 February 2025
Reuters

LONDON: Oil prices rose on Monday after US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, raising fears of supply disruption, though gains were capped by concern over what could be an economically damaging trade war.

Brent crude futures rose $1.28, or 1.7 percent, to $76.95 a barrel by 3:32 p.m. Saudi time after touching a high of $77.34.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $1.89, or 2.6 percent, at $74.42 after touching their highest since Jan. 24 at $75.18.

Trump’s sweeping tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China kicked off a trade war that could dent global growth and reignite inflation.

The tariffs, which will take effect on Feb. 4, include a 25 percent levy on most goods from Mexico and Canada, with a 10 percent tariff on energy imports from Canada and a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports.

“The relatively soft stance on Canadian energy imports is likely rooted in caution,” Barclays analyst Amarpreet Singh said in a note.

“Tariffs on Canadian energy imports would likely be more disruptive for domestic energy markets than those on Mexican imports and might even be counterproductive to one of the president’s key objectives — lowering energy costs.”

Goldman Sachs analysts expect the tariffs to have limited near-term impact on global oil and gas prices.

Canada and Mexico are the top sources of US crude imports, together accounting for about a quarter of the oil US refiners process into fuels such as gasoline and heating oil, according to the US Department of Energy.

The tariffs will raise costs for the heavier crude grades that US refineries need for optimum production, industry sources said.

Gasoline pump prices in the US are certainly expected to rise with the loss of crude for refineries and the loss of imported products, said Mukesh Sahdev at Rystad Energy.

Trump has already warned that the tariffs could cause “short-term” pain for Americans.

US gasoline futures jumped 2.5 percent to $2.11 a gallon after touching the highest level since Jan. 16 at $2.162.

“It is clear that the tariffs will have a negative effect on the global economy, with physical markets set to get tighter in near term, pushing crude prices higher,” said Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty.

Investors will also be watching for news from an OPEC+ meeting on Monday, with expectations that the oil producer group will stick to its current plan of gradual increases to output.

Rystad’s Sahdev added that tariffs, if kept for long, have the potential to cause production losses in Canada and Mexico, which could help OPEC+ to unwind output curbs.

Topics: oil prices oil updates

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Banking, healthcare to drive 8% growth in Saudi stock market profits in 2025: SNB Capital 

Updated 03 February 2025
Nour El-Shaeri 
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Banking, healthcare to drive 8% growth in Saudi stock market profits in 2025: SNB Capital 

  • Petrochemical field is projected to record substantial growth of 74% in 2025
  • Healthcare division is anticipated to achieve a 23% rise in net profits, up from 11% in 2024
Updated 03 February 2025
Nour El-Shaeri 

RIYADH: Saudi stock market profits are set to grow by 8 percent in 2025, with the petrochemical sector driving the increase, according to a new report by SNB Capital. 

Banking and healthcare are also expected to see big rises, with the industries benefiting from increased loan activity and expanded operations. 

If petrochemicals are excluded from the analysis — with energy giant Aramco dominating the market — the Saudi stock exchange would see a 14 percent growth in profits.

This broad-based growth across key sectors highlights the resilience and dynamism of the Saudi economy, setting the stage for heightened market activity and increased investor confidence. 

These favorable conditions have translated into a surge in initial public offerings, with strong demand from both institutional and retail investors driving significant gains in 2024.

The petrochemical field is projected to record substantial growth of 74 percent in 2025, driven by improved prices, additional production capacities, and a return to full operational activity following widespread maintenance closures in 2024. 

The healthcare division is anticipated to achieve a 23 percent rise in net profits, up from 11 percent in 2024, driven by a 20 percent revenue increase attributed to new expansions that help mitigate margin pressures. 

The cement sector is also poised for strong growth, supported by the acceleration of mega projects, while the car rental industry is expected to benefit from fleet expansion, operational efficiencies, and lower interest rates, though short-term rental margins could face some pressure. 

Strong expectations for IPO activity in 2025 have been bolstered by lower interest rates, accelerating economic activity, and attractive investor incentives, according to SNB Capital.

Macroeconomic sentiment remains favorable, with over 85 percent of managers forecasting at least three interest rate cuts in 2025, signaling a shift toward easier financial conditions. 

The report underlines a growing proportion of managers who view the market as undervalued relative to its fair worth, though a majority still consider it fairly valued at its peak. 

Oil prices are expected to stabilize in 2025, with most fund managers predicting a range between $70 and $79 per barrel. 

Optimism is rising across sectors such as tourism, banking, and construction, while cautious views persist for the energy and petrochemical industries as they continue to navigate challenges. 

The strong market activity witnessed in 2024 lays the foundation for the optimistic forecasts for 2025, as the momentum generated by increased IPOs, rising transaction values, and sectoral recovery is expected to carry forward into the coming year. 

The Tadawul All-Share Index recorded a sharp increase in IPOs in 2024, reversing a decline in the prior year. 

The number of IPOs rose to 14, up from eight in 2023, with total proceeds reaching SR14.2 billion, compared to SR11.9 billion the previous year. 

Institutional subscription coverage rates improved significantly, averaging 126 times in 2024 compared to 61 times in 2023, while retail subscription coverage increased to an average of 16 times from 11 times. 

Market activity surged in 2024, with the number of negotiated deals reaching approximately 3,500, compared to 918 in 2023 and 1,316 in 2022, according to SNB. 

Negotiated deals generally refer to transactions that are arranged through direct agreements between buyers and sellers rather than through open market auctions or bidding processes. 

In the context of the stock markets, it can imply block trades, private placements, or structured deals involving large volumes of shares or assets that require direct negotiation to determine terms such as price and volume. 

Although the average deal size declined to SR24 million from SR34.6 million in 2023, the total value of transactions climbed to SR84 billion, significantly higher than SR29.5 billion in 2023 and SR38.9 billion in 2022. 

Major offerings contributed to increased market liquidity and a higher proportion of free-floating shares. 

Among them, Saudi Aramco’s secondary offering in June stood out as the largest secondary issuance in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa since 2000. 

The offering raised SR42 billion through the sale of 1.55 billion shares at SR27.25 per share, surpassing the scale of its 2019 IPO. 

Saudi Telecom Co. followed with a secondary offering in November, generating SR38.6 billion through the sale of 2 percent of its public shares, or approximately 100 million shares. 

Meanwhile, SAL Logistics Services completed an IPO valued at SR6 billion, with shares expected to be distributed to shareholders in early 2025 at an estimated value of SR7 billion. 

Topics: Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) initial public offerings (IPOs)

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