Top 20 Startups in Saudi Arabia: Pioneering Innovation in the Kingdom
Top 20 Startups in Saudi Arabia: Pioneering Innovation in the Kingdom
Saudi Arabia's startup ecosystem has been growing rapidly, with innovative companies transforming various sectors from fintech and health tech to e-commerce and energy. Here's a look at the top 20 startups in Saudi Arabia, showcasing their industry, founders, year of foundation, and valuation.
1. STC Pay
Industry: Fintech
Founders: STC Group
Year of Foundation: 2018
Valuation: $1 billion
STC Pay is a leading digital wallet and payment solution, enabling seamless transactions and financial management for users across the region.
2. Tamara
Industry: Fintech
Founders: Abdullah Alsharif, Ahmed Alzahrani
Year of Foundation: 2020
Valuation: $300 million
Tamara offers buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services, allowing consumers to make purchases and pay in installments, enhancing financial flexibility.
3. Sary
Industry: E-commerce
Founders: Abdulaziz Aljabri, Fares Al-Hajri
Year of Foundation: 2018
Valuation: $100 million
Sary is a B2B e-commerce platform connecting wholesalers and retailers, streamlining the procurement process for businesses.
4. Nana
Industry: E-commerce
Founders: Saleh Alhussain, Abdulrahman Al-Omran
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $1 billion
Nana is an online grocery delivery service, providing a convenient platform for customers to order and receive groceries directly at their doorstep.
5. Careem NOW
Industry: Delivery & Logistics
Founders: Mudassir Sheikha, Magnus Olsson, Abdulla Elyas
Year of Foundation: 2019
Valuation: Acquired by Uber in 2020
Careem NOW offers on-demand delivery services, extending Careem's ride-hailing expertise to the logistics and food delivery sectors.
6. Hala
Industry: Mobility
Founders: Careem Team
Year of Foundation: 2020
Valuation: Part of Careem (acquired by Uber)
Hala provides ride-hailing services tailored to the Saudi market, focusing on providing reliable and safe transportation solutions.
7. FalconViz
Industry: Tech/Geospatial
Founders: Ahmed Al-Bassam
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $30 million
FalconViz specializes in 3D mapping and geospatial data solutions, offering advanced surveying and modeling services across various industries.
8. Derayah Financial
Industry: Fintech
Founders: Ahmed Al-Saif, Abdulrahman Al-Saif
Year of Foundation: 2010
Valuation: $50 million
Derayah Financial offers investment solutions and wealth management services, catering to individual and institutional investors.
9. Hadiya
Industry: Health Tech
Founders: Fadi Ghandour
Year of Foundation: 2020
Valuation: $10 million
Hadiya provides telemedicine and health management services, leveraging technology to offer remote consultations and health solutions.
10. B8ak
Industry: E-commerce/Services
Founders: Ahmed Almasri, Osama Abozaid
Year of Foundation: 2017
Valuation: $20 million
B8ak offers a wide range of home services, from cleaning and repairs to maintenance, through an easy-to-use mobile platform.
11. Tamatem
Industry: Gaming
Founders: Hussam Hammo
Year of Foundation: 2013
Valuation: $15 million
Tamatem develops and publishes mobile games tailored for Arabic-speaking audiences, creating engaging content for regional players.
12. Juman
Industry: E-commerce
Founders: Ranya Kora
Year of Foundation: 2021
Valuation: $5 million
Juman is an online marketplace for a wide range of products, focusing on providing a seamless shopping experience for Saudi consumers.
13. Foodics
Industry: Fintech/Tech
Founders: Ahmed Al-Farouki, Fadi Ghandour
Year of Foundation: 2014
Valuation: $65 million
Foodics offers point-of-sale (POS) systems and restaurant management solutions, streamlining operations for food service businesses.
14. Ostaz
Industry: Edtech
Founders: Amr Mohamed, Ahmed Abu Hadeed
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $8 million
Ostaz is an online tutoring platform connecting students with qualified tutors, providing personalized educational support across various subjects.
15. Xina
Industry: Energy
Founders: Fahad Al-Jabri
Year of Foundation: 2018
Valuation: $12 million
Xina specializes in renewable energy solutions, focusing on solar energy projects and sustainable energy management.
16. Sawaeed
Industry: HR Tech
Founders: Abdullah Al-Fadly
Year of Foundation: 2017
Valuation: $10 million
Sawaeed provides human resource management solutions, including recruitment, payroll, and employee management services.
17. Simplicity
Industry: Fintech
Founders: Saeed Ali, Ahmed Shaikh
Year of Foundation: 2019
Valuation: $6 million
Simplicity offers financial services and solutions designed to simplify personal finance management for users.
18. YAPILI
Industry: Health Tech
Founders: Ahmed Al-Mutairi
Year of Foundation: 2019
Valuation: $7 million
YAPILI focuses on digital health and wellness, offering apps and platforms for health monitoring and management.
19. Zid
Industry: E-commerce
Founders: Ahmed Al-Harthy
Year of Foundation: 2017
Valuation: $20 million
Zid provides e-commerce solutions for retailers, enabling businesses to set up and manage online stores with ease.
20. C3S
Industry: Tech
Founders: Khaled Al-Khurainej
Year of Foundation: 2018
Valuation: $15 million
C3S offers cloud computing and IT infrastructure solutions, supporting businesses with scalable and reliable tech services.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia's startup landscape is rich with innovation and promise. These 20 startups are leading the charge in various industries, from fintech and health tech to e-commerce and energy. With their groundbreaking solutions and ambitious visions, they are set to drive significant change and growth in the region. Keep an eye on these startups as they continue to shape the future of Saudi Arabia and beyond.
