Arcapita expands US private equity portfolio with the acquisition of Trustpoint
Arcapita Group Holdings Limited ('Arcapita'), the global alternative investment firm, announced today that it has successfully completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Trustpoint.One ('Trustpoint' or the 'Company'), a leading provider of tech-enabled legal services to law firms and corporate clients in the United States, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Valued at over $400 billion, the US legal services market is highly fragmented and experiencing growing demand for alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) due to rising litigation volumes and the need for technology-driven solutions.
Historically, litigation has not been linked to GDP growth and is generally insulated from macroeconomic trends. ALSPs are an integral part of the modern litigation landscape due to their ability to generate meaningful cost and time savings, and allow law firms to focus on higher value-add activities such as building case strategy.
The market is projected to grow at a stable rate, driven by increasing regulatory complexity and data volumes.
Trustpoint offers a comprehensive suite of legal services, including eDiscovery, managed review, legal staffing, and cyber security solutions.
The Company serves a diverse set of clients, including top 100 law firms and a variety of Fortune 500 companies. Trustpoint benefits from a scalable business model, robust technology platform, and high client retention, positioning it for continued growth in a rapidly evolving legal services market.Hisham A. Al Raee, CEO of Arcapita, said: 'This acquisition underscores Arcapita's commitment to investing in recession-resilient sectors with strong fundamentals. The investment in Trustpoint is part of our broader global essential business services strategy and builds on Arcapita's strong track record.'Neil Carter, Managing Director of US Private Equity at Arcapita, added: 'Trustpoint's position as a leading alternative legal services provider, combined with its strong client relationships and scalable platform, aligns well with our investment philosophy. The legal services industry is rapidly transforming, and Trustpoint is at the forefront of this shift with its technology-driven solutions. We are excited to support the Company as it expands its market presence and continues to deliver best-in-class services to its clients. We look forward to working alongside Trustpoint's leadership team to drive the Company's next phase of growth.'Mark Hawn, Founder and Chairman of Trustpoint, said: 'This partnership with Arcapita marks a significant milestone in Trustpoint's journey. Over the years, we have built a leading platform that delivers critical legal services through innovation and expertise. With Arcapita's global network and strategic insights, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth, invest in cutting-edge technologies, and expand our service offerings to meet the evolving needs of our clients. We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will unlock as we continue to lead the transformation of the legal services industry.'Chris Gallagher, CEO of Trustpoint, added: 'We are thrilled to partner with Arcapita as we embark on this next chapter of growth. Arcapita's deep expertise in scaling business services companies and its commitment to value creation make it the ideal partner for Trustpoint and our seasoned leadership team. With their support, we will continue to enhance our service offerings, invest in technology and employees, and expand our footprint across the legal services market.'
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Arab News
18-05-2025
- Arab News
‘It's a no-brainer to go where the progress is,' Fortune editor-in-chief tells Arab News ahead of Riyadh summit on women in business
RIYADH: The Fortune Most Powerful Women franchise, which includes an annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women, began in 1998. Now, nearly three decades on, the publication is entering the Middle East region with the Fortune Most Powerful Women International conference in Riyadh on May 20 and 21. 'More and more women were getting into the upper ranks of business,' and 'we wanted to be on the ground covering it,' said Alyson Shontell, editor-in-chief and chief content officer of Fortune. 'There's no more exciting place for us to be right now (than Saudi Arabia) covering the world of business and women's progress,' she added. Despite reforms and transformation in the region, some still view it as a place with restricted freedom for women and media. However, Shontell is 'excited to go in judgment-free,' and connect with women in the region and 'show what they're doing to the world,' she said. The transformation in the Kingdom since Vision 2030 has been 'remarkable' and, she added, 'we want to see it for ourselves and show it to the world. 'It's a no-brainer to go where the progress is: the Middle East.' Fortune's ambition is 'to connect global power and the biggest businesses in the world,' and so 'we would love to build the most powerful women's network into a global network,' through which women in the Middle East feel connected to women in other parts of the world, she explained. This year, 11 percent of Fortune 500 companies are run by women, which is the highest number it has ever been, Shontell said. There is still a long way ahead before gender equality is reached in businesses, but 'that's a big reason why we think it's still important to show the changing evolution of power,' she said. Last year, Fortune also published a Most Powerful People list — 'to recognize powerful people as powerful people' — and that list was dominated by men. 'That's how the world is, and we're not going to pretend that it's otherwise,' Shontell said, adding that it is part of Fortune's mission to track progress, present the world as it is, and when there are changes, to showcase them as well. At the beginning of this year, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on his second day in office calling titled 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.' He has issued multiple orders since then aimed at rolling back the diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) policies of major corporations, foundations, non-profits, educational institutions and even the government. One order, which deems DEI policies 'illegal,' suggests that these policies are a 'guise' for 'dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences.' The directives have raised several concerns, some around women's participation in the workforce. Shontell, however, remains optimistic. 'There's a pretty strong commitment from women in the United States,' she said. 'We have made a lot of progress over the last 50 years here, and I don't think many people would like to see that backslide.' Shontell herself has been part of that commitment. She joined Business Insider in 2008, as the company's sixth employee going on to become editor-in-chief in 2016. When she was appointed as editor-in-chief at Fortune in 2021, she became the youngest and only woman to serve in that role in the company's 95 years. 'When you think of who the editor-in-chief of Fortune, or even Business Insider, is, you don't think of a young woman,' Shontell said. To illustrate her point, she said that even if one asked AI what it thought the editor of a business magazine looks like, it would draw up someone like JPMorgan Chase chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon. And she was right. We asked Meta AI and ChatGPT: 'Can you generate an image of the editor-in-chief of a major global business publication?' The former gave us four images: one of a woman and three of men, while the latter gave a single image featuring a man. The most common reaction Shontell receives is surprise. But she doesn't mind. Rather, she likes surprising people and the feeling that 'no one sees you coming.' It 'kind of gives you something to work toward something to be extra proud of when you achieve it,' she said. For Shontell, the industry has been nothing but change since she stepped into it, which was well after the days of leisurely business lunches and thick magazines, she says. 'A lot of the trends that we're seeing now are just completely different than they were before,' and much of the conversation in the newsroom is around future-proofing the company, she said. The key, according to her, is a flexible team and the knack to recognize trends and understand which ones are here to stay. When she was at Business Insider, her goal was to get everyone to read it. Fortune, on the other hand, is not about scale. 'My goal is to continue to up our relevance and to broaden the audience just a little bit, but to keep it very much thought leadership,' she said. Shontell explained that it is hard to run a company in a fast-changing and unpredictable world, and so, the question is: 'How can we be the best asset for this global leadership reader?' The aim is to 'give them the information they need to do their jobs through the best of their abilities, so that the rest of us can all benefit from them making better decisions.' Fortune was relatively slow to embrace digital media with its website only launching in 2014. By the end of 2024, it had 24 million global users, and its social channels have a total of 7 million followers. From the archives: Streaming warriors. In our October 2019 issue, Fortune spotlighted the powerhouse women steering Netflix into its most competitive era yet. — FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) May 18, 2025 Still, not many younger audiences are aware of the brand or consume its content. Shontell admits that while Fortune has been very good at reaching C-suite audiences, 'we have increasingly been bad at reaching the next generation and pulling them up through their career path.' But now, with social media, she says 'we have permission to show up differently on different platforms' to reach a potential reader. That means speaking in a different tone of voice perhaps to reach GenZs and millennials on platforms like TikTok, which would be 'their first experience with us,' she said. It is a 'delicate balance' of 'how do you get that next gen reader so that Fortune will continue to exist and be read and widely known in 20 years, and how do you maintain that thought leadership at the same time?' As part of this effort, Fortune is reinventing its video offering this year and launching podcasts. Artificial intelligence is at the core of technology and any conversation about it, and undoubtedly is an 'incredibly powerful tool,' said Shontell. Despite the dangers of AI — fake news, misinformation, deepfakes — and concerns about potential job losses, Shontell believes AI will bring journalism back to its roots. Any news or information that can be rounded up and aggregated does not need humans and will be done by AI, but that is an 'exciting opportunity, because it will bring journalism back to its core roots of seeking original information and facts and bringing it to readers first with the best analysis (and) the best new information that you can get,' she said. Shontell says that in the last decade or so, the news media industry has almost lost its way, partly because the business model is predicated on cutting through noise and grabbing attention, instead of delivering news in a way that is aligned with the news company's specific approach. There will be 'hard change,' and news firms can either be a big publication with scale and a 'solid' business model like The New York Times or Bloomberg, or a smaller, niche publication; anything in the 'messy middle' will have a difficult time, she said.
Arab News
17-05-2025
- Arab News
Riyadh forum marks new era of Saudi, US partnership
In a world increasingly defined by economic interdependence and cross-border collaboration, the recently held Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh stands out as a key platform for strengthening ties between two major economies. Bringing together more than 2,000 senior government officials, Fortune 500 companies, and leading investors from both nations, the forum has opened new avenues of cooperation across energy, technology, healthcare, and infrastructure — resulting in $300 billion in formalized investments. This is a major step toward the $600 billion in commitments previously announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to deepen the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the US. In his address, the crown prince said that the next phase aims to build on the $600 billion, with plans to increase Saudi Arabia's investment commitment to $1 trillion. As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 goals and the US seeks stronger global alliances, the forum marks a milestone in shaping the future of bilateral economic cooperation. The deeply rooted Saudi-US relationship has played a vital strategic role in both nations' prosperity over the past 92 years, beginning in 1933 when the Kingdom granted an oil exploration concession to the Standard Oil Co. of California. The historic 1945 meeting between King Abdulaziz and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the USS Quincy laid the foundation for this enduring partnership. The Saudi and American private sectors have been instrumental in driving bilateral trade and investment growth. Between 2013 and 2024, trade between the two countries totaled $500 billion, with $32.5 billion recorded in 2024 alone. Saudi Arabia now hosts 1,266 US-registered investment companies — an 80 percent increase in 2023 over 2022. As of early 2025, 200 regional headquarters licenses have been granted to US firms. Among US-registered companies in the Kingdom, the top sectors include professional and technical services (289), ICT (253), manufacturing (220), construction (130), and wholesale and retail trade (80). American foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia has grown significantly, making the US the Kingdom's largest FDI source. The US holds $54 billion in FDI stock — 25 percent of Saudi Arabia's total FDI. With Saudi investments in the US exceeding $770 billion, Saudi investors show strong confidence in the stability and appeal of the American market. These growing economic ties reflect the enduring strength of the US–Saudi partnership and signal continued opportunities for mutual growth. The forum has laid the groundwork for forward-looking collaboration, uniting key players to explore new opportunities in a rapidly changing global economy. By promoting innovation and strategic dialogue, it has reinforced the foundation for long-term partnerships and economic progress. The momentum from these discussions could lead to transformative investments and breakthroughs across sectors. The forum has also created unique business opportunities, strengthening existing partnerships between Saudi Arabia and the US. The high-level participation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Trump highlights its importance as a pivotal event where ideas turn into action and collaborations drive long-term impact across industries. Both governments have played a key role in ensuring stable bilateral trade, while the private sector continues to fuel economic growth through strategic investments. The US-Saudi Business Council remains vital in advancing trade and investment, offering practical support and strategic guidance to businesses navigating both markets. Over the past 30 years, it has facilitated billions in cross-border agreements, further deepening economic ties between the two nations. • Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Arab News
Slew of deals highlight a renewed and reinforced Saudi-US partnership
RIYADH: When top officials, CEOs and investors from Saudi Arabia and the US convened in Riyadh on Tuesday for the Saudi-US Investment Forum, the focus of the high-profile gathering was on economic cooperation and innovation. The one-day forum, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, highlighted major deals and partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence, energy, digital infrastructure, fintech, healthtech and industrial innovation — all aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 development blueprint. The tone was collaborative and forward-looking, emphasizing commerce and technology as both nations seek to deepen ties in emerging sectors. Officials from both governments, along with Fortune 500 executives, used the platform to announce investments and outline long-term strategies for mutual growth. The forum's agenda was broad and ambitious, covering cutting-edge industries and critical infrastructure. Sessions throughout the day focused on themes such as technology and AI innovation, renewable and traditional energy cooperation, digital infrastructure expansion, fintech and financial services, health and biotech advancements, and industrial and advanced manufacturing partnerships. Panel discussions included ministerial dialogues, CEO panels and executive roundtables designed to spur high-impact engagement in these sectors. High-level participants Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih opened the forum by highlighting its timing 'at a historic moment' of renewed commitment between the two nations. He pointed to the exceptional delegation of US business leaders in attendance, reflecting nearly 90 years of close relations since the first Saudi-US agreements. The forum coincided with a US executive visit to Saudi Arabia, underscoring the strategic importance both sides place on economic partnership. In his remarks, Al-Falih emphasized that strengthening the bilateral investment relationship would benefit both economies and 'the world at large.' Notably, the list of attendees read like a Who's Who of corporate America and Saudi industry. According to the forum program and media reports, CEOs and senior executives from companies including BlackRock, Palantir Technologies, Citi, IBM, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Meta, Amazon, Qualcomm, Alphabet (Google's parent), Tesla and Franklin Templeton were present. On the Saudi side, key figures included Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — architect of Vision 2030 — as well as ministers overseeing the finance, energy, technology, tourism and health sectors. The presence of these leaders highlighted the forum's focus on expanding commercial ties. Even high-profile tech entrepreneur Elon Musk was spotted on stage, seen in conversation with Saudi Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha during the event. The diversity of participants from government and industry ensured that discussions ranged from AI chips and cloud computing to sustainable energy projects and digital economy regulation. Tech and AI partnerships If one theme dominated the forum, it was artificial intelligence and technology. A series of headline-making deals underscored Saudi Arabia's push to become a global hub for AI and advanced tech — with major support from US tech giants. At the center of many announcements was HUMAIN, a newly launched Public Investment Fund-backed AI startup. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang made headlines by unveiling a landmark agreement to supply Saudi Arabia with cutting-edge AI hardware. NVIDIA will sell hundreds of thousands of its latest AI chips to HUMAIN over the next five years, starting with an initial shipment of 18,000 high-performance Blackwell GPU chips. In a joint statement, NVIDIA and HUMAIN said they plan to build 'AI factories' with up to 500 megawatts of capacity in Saudi data centers, housing those advanced GPUs and related infrastructure. 'This marks a significant step toward positioning the Kingdom as a leader among data- and AI-driven economies,' said Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of the Saudi Data & AI Authority, regarding the partnership. The goal is to establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI, GPU cloud computing and digital transformation — in line with the Kingdom's aim to become an international AI hub outside the US. Another US chipmaker, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), announced its own multibillion-dollar partnership with HUMAIN. AMD CEO Lisa Su confirmed a $10 billion strategic collaboration to deploy 500 MW of AI computing infrastructure in Saudi Arabia over five years. Under the deal, AMD will provide a mix of advanced CPUs, GPUs and software expertise to help build HUMAIN's next-generation cloud platform for AI. 'Together, we are building a globally significant AI platform that delivers performance, openness and reach at unprecedented levels,' Su said in a statement. Notably, HUMAIN is working with multiple chipmakers to avoid overreliance on a single vendor, ensuring a resilient supply of AI hardware. Also in the semiconductor space, Qualcomm signed a memorandum of understanding to develop new data center processors with Saudi partners. The San Diego-based firm — best known for its mobile chips — will work with HUMAIN on specialized CPUs for data centers, potentially leveraging technology from its Nuvia acquisition to deliver server-grade processors. This flurry of chip deals was enabled in part by supportive policies: under a new US initiative, American tech suppliers like NVIDIA and AMD received clearance to pursue AI partnerships with Saudi entities, reflecting a government-backed effort to promote 'AI diplomacy' with trusted allies. Cloud computing giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) also played a prominent role. At the forum, AWS announced a strategic partnership with HUMAIN to develop a dedicated 'AI Zone' in Saudi Arabia. AWS and HUMAIN plan to invest more than $5 billion to build this AI Zone — a cluster of state-of-the-art data centers and AI development facilities. According to AWS CEO Andy Jassy, the zone will feature Amazon's most advanced cloud infrastructure, including UltraCluster networking for faster AI model training, a full suite of services like SageMaker and Bedrock, and training programs to develop Saudi AI talent. This initiative comes on top of AWS's previously announced $5.3 billion plan to launch a cloud region in Saudi Arabia by 2026. The AI Zone is a separate investment, focused specifically on accelerating AI innovation. HUMAIN has committed to build and deploy its AI solutions on AWS and help local startups access the platform's tools. Together, these moves by NVIDIA, AMD, Qualcomm and Amazon represent an unprecedented transfer of AI technology and infrastructure to Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom races to become a leader in the data-driven economy. The forum's tech deals are expected to benefit the US as well. One of Saudi Arabia's newest firms, DataVolt, announced plans to invest $20 billion in AI data centers and energy infrastructure in the US. Additionally, a coalition of US and Saudi companies — including Alphabet (Google's parent), Oracle, Salesforce, AMD, Uber and DataVolt — is set to invest a combined $80 billion in 'cutting-edge transformative technologies' across both countries. While specific details were limited, the White House noted that these investments will span a range of high-tech sectors in Saudi Arabia and the US, illustrating a two-way investment flow catalyzed by the forum. Energy, infrastructure, new industries Beyond AI and computing, the forum spotlighted a range of sectors central to Saudi Arabia's economic diversification plans. Energy, in particular, remains a cornerstone of US-Saudi cooperation — not only in traditional oil and gas, but increasingly in clean energy and sustainability. Saudi officials used the event to reaffirm the Kingdom's role as a stable oil supplier to global markets, even as it accelerates its pivot to renewables. They also highlighted joint initiatives in solar, wind and emerging energy technologies. Vision 2030's focus on sustainability was echoed in forum sessions on 'Energy & Sustainability,' which emphasized balancing energy security with climate-conscious innovation. One standout project discussed was the massive green hydrogen venture at NEOM, Saudi Arabia's futuristic city on the Red Sea. Rayan Fayez, deputy CEO of NEOM, described the $8.4 billion green hydrogen plant being developed as a joint venture between NEOM, Saudi utility ACWA Power and US-based Air Products. This project — one of the world's largest hydrogen initiatives — will use solar and wind power to produce clean hydrogen for export, showcasing how US companies are investing in Saudi sustainability efforts. 'Building a city and a region of this scale requires significant infrastructure,' Fayez said, citing 500 kilometers of fiber-optic cable already laid in NEOM, along with new data centers, solar and wind farms, and 194 kilometers of installed water pipelines. These infrastructure projects are creating opportunities for American firms; Fayez noted that NEOM is 'doing business with 83 American companies' as it builds this high-tech metropolis. Tourism, smart mobility, real estate Traditional sectors like tourism and real estate were also featured as key growth areas. In a panel on Saudi Arabia's giga-projects, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, discussed the $63 billion transformation of historic Diriyah — the birthplace of the Saudi state — into a global heritage and leisure destination. Inzerillo noted that the project, which preserves UNESCO World Heritage sites while adding museums, resorts and entertainment venues, is on time and on budget. 'We just welcomed our three millionth visitor (to Diriyah) this week … We have 45,000 workers currently on the project,' he said, adding: 'Right now we're doing business with 83 American companies' involved in the development. This highlights the role of US firms — from engineering and construction to hospitality — in supporting Saudi Arabia's non-oil economic transformation. Transportation and smart mobility also emerged as a prominent topic. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi praised Saudi Arabia as one of Uber's fastest-growing markets, with 140,000 Saudi drivers serving 4 million riders across 20 cities. Khosrowshahi used the forum to announce plans to introduce autonomous vehicles in the Kingdom. 'You will see autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia this year,' he said, noting that Uber is working with 18 autonomous technology partners to ensure safe deployment. He argued that self-driving vehicles will make streets safer and eventually offer more affordable transportation, as robotic systems 'continue to learn from all the miles driven all over the world.' The vision of Saudi cities with driverless taxis — supported by US technology — illustrated the forum's emphasis on next-generation infrastructure. Fintech and healthtech Financial services and fintech were also on the agenda, reflecting Saudi Arabia's drive to modernize its financial sector through open banking, digital payments, venture capital and more. While no specific banking deals were announced at the forum, the presence of major US financial leaders — including Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink — signaled strong interest in Saudi capital markets. Discussions reportedly included financing Vision 2030 projects and expanding two-way capital flows. With Saudi Arabia opening its stock market to more foreign investors and launching large investment funds, US financial institutions are positioning to play a significant role in the Kingdom's economic liberalization. Healthcare and healthtech likewise emerged as key areas of collaboration, aligning with Saudi efforts to digitize healthcare and advance biotech research. Panels on health tech and biotechnology explored potential partnerships in pharmaceutical development, digital health platforms and medical investment. Although most initiatives were still in the exploratory stage, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health is reportedly in ongoing talks with US healthcare firms about telemedicine and hospital joint ventures. The forum underscored that as Saudi Arabia modernizes its healthcare system — a priority under Vision 2030's Quality of Life program — US companies in medical technology, biotech and healthcare management see growing opportunity. Vision 2030 alignment Throughout the forum, speakers consistently tied individual deals to the broader goals of Vision 2030 — Saudi Arabia's blueprint for diversifying its economy away from oil by the end of the decade. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the driving force behind Vision 2030, took the stage to emphasize the scale of US-Saudi business underway. He announced that more than $300 billion in Saudi-US deals had been signed, a figure that impressed attendees. These agreements spanned sectors including technology, defense and infrastructure. Looking ahead, the crown prince said Saudi Arabia is targeting $600 billion in further investment opportunities with the US in the coming years — with the potential for that number to grow to $1 trillion as new projects take shape. He noted that the United States is one of the 'largest partners of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform agenda,' underscoring that joint investments are a central pillar of the bilateral economic relationship. He also highlighted that about 40 percent of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund — the $900 billion-plus sovereign wealth fund — is invested in the US. This financial interconnection is foundational to initiatives like the forum. US representatives also praised the Kingdom's transformation. US President Donald Trump (attending as part of a state visit) avoided politics in his public remarks, focusing instead on economic cooperation. He commended the 'phenomenal transformation' underway in Saudi Arabia, attributing it to the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed. Trump pointed to a striking milestone: Saudi Arabia's non-oil revenues now exceed its oil revenues — a dramatic shift from just a few years ago. He cited this as evidence that Vision 2030 is producing real economic change. The president also praised Saudi Arabia's ability to preserve its cultural heritage while 'embracing a forward-looking, modern Vision 2030 agenda.' These affirmations from the US side bolstered confidence in the Saudi business environment and encouraged American CEOs to deepen their engagement. Several panel discussions looked toward the future, examining how both nations can collaborate on long-term trends. In a tourism panel, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb predicted that by 2030, tourism will contribute as much to Saudi GDP as oil does today — a bold forecast reflecting the country's shifting economic priorities. Al-Khateeb said Saudi Arabia is increasingly recognized as 'a land of green mountains, stunning Red Sea islands and a welcoming culture,' rather than solely an oil-exporting nation. This evolving image has been supported in part by US-backed investments in hospitality and entertainment. A partnership reinforced In another discussion, Housing and Urban Development Minister Majed Al-Hogail detailed plans for smart cities and affordable housing — areas where US engineering firms and smart technology providers are contributing their expertise. A panel on women in business, reflecting the social development dimension of Vision 2030, highlighted progress in female leadership within Saudi companies. US multinationals are playing a role through training programs and mentorship initiatives. While these conversations were not centered on high-dollar deals, they showcased the human and cultural dimension of US-Saudi collaboration — emphasizing knowledge-sharing and societal change. By the forum's end, a clear narrative had emerged: Saudi Arabia and the US are leveraging their long-standing partnership to build a new economic future based on innovation, sustainability and shared prosperity. The announcements — from multibillion-dollar AI investments and cloud zones to joint tourism initiatives and potential fintech collaborations — all serve Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a diversified economic powerhouse by 2030. At the same time, they support US goals of expanding global markets for American technologies and deepening relationships with stable partners. As Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih summarized, the Saudi-US partnership is being 'renewed and reinforced' for a new era — evolving beyond its traditional oil foundation into a broader alliance across multiple strategic sectors. The Saudi-US Investment Forum showcased this transformation in real time, with high-profile announcements and symbolic handshakes that are likely to shape the economic relationship between the two countries for decades to come. With significant capital flows and technology transfers now underway, both nations are betting that deeper commercial ties will generate mutual benefits — creating jobs, spurring innovation and linking two major economies that, as officials often reminded attendees, are vital to each other's success in an unpredictable global environment. The event's success has already sparked discussions about establishing the Saudi-US Investment Forum as a recurring platform — one that can track progress, drive new initiatives and continue advancing Vision 2030 and the next phase of US-Saudi cooperation.
