Latest news with #SmallandMediumEnterprisesGeneralAuthority
CairoScene
22-07-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Foreign Startup Registrations Surge 118% in Saudi Arabia
The Riyadi license offers foreign entrepreneurs streamlined access to the Saudi market as part of the Kingdom's push to boost its innovation ecosystem. Jul 22, 2025 Saudi Arabia has reported a 118% increase in foreign startup registrations, with 550 companies receiving Riyadi licenses by mid-2025, according to the Ministry of Investment. The Riyadi license offers foreign entrepreneurs streamlined access to the Saudi market as part of the Kingdom's push to boost its innovation ecosystem. In parallel, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha'at, issued 364 licenses to accelerators and incubators across the country. These hubs are designed to support startups with infrastructure, investor networks, mentorship, and tools to develop and commercialise new products. The spike in licensing activity follows a record first half of the year for venture capital. Saudi startups secured $860 million across 114 deals, marking a 116% increase in capital and a 31% growth in deal count compared to the same period in 2024. These figures underscore Saudi Arabia's continued dominance as the leading VC destination in the Middle East and North Africa. The growth also reflects broader national efforts to attract foreign startups through simplified procedures and targeted reforms. The Ministry of Investment has introduced eight new business license categories - covering sectors like IT, consulting, hospitality, manufacturing, and mining - that allow 100% foreign ownership and are available through its digital portal. Saudi Arabia's momentum has also been supported by global startup showcases like LEAP, Biban, and participation in events such as Web Summit and VivaTech, reinforcing the Kingdom's efforts to position itself as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Barnama
16-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Saudi Arabia Showcases Potential Unicorns At VivaTech Paris, Highlighting The Kingdom's Growing Innovation Power
PARIS, June 16 (Bernama) -- Monsha'at, Saudi Arabia's Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, led a group of five potential Saudi unicorns SMEs to participate in VivaTech 2025, Europe's leading technology and innovation exhibition. Its participation was part of Saudi Unicorns; a Saudi Vision 2030 initiative to help high-potential, fast-growing companies in promising sectors reach valuations of over $1 billion. Held in Paris from June 11-14, the four-day innovation-focused event featured 13,500 startups, 3,200 investors, and over 165,000 attendees.
Web Release
16-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Saudi Arabia Showcases Potential Unicorns at VivaTech Paris, Highlighting the Kingdom's Growing Innovation Power
Monsha'at, Saudi Arabia's Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, led a group of five potential Saudi unicorns SMEs to participate in VivaTech 2025, Europe's leading technology and innovation exhibition. Its participation was part of Saudi Unicorns; a Saudi Vision 2030 initiative to help high-potential, fast-growing companies in promising sectors reach valuations of over $1 billion. Held in Paris from June 11-14, the four-day innovation-focused event featured 13,500 startups, 3,200 investors, and over 165,000 attendees. Now in its ninth year, the conference was a key opportunity for Monsha'at to expose high-potential Saudi startups to global best practices, industry insights, and strategic networks with leading global stakeholders, gain fresh perspectives, and acquire the skills and contacts they need to globally scale. It also allowed them to share Saudi Arabia's success story with leading tech investors, which aligns with the Saudi Unicorns initiative's commitment to driving growth and innovation in the Saudi startup space. 'Our participation at VivaTech 2025 was a tremendous opportunity to not only showcase several of the best young startups and concepts coming out of the Kingdom,' said Saud Alsabhan, Vice Governor of Entrepreneurship at Monsha'at. 'It was also a chance to allow some of our best tech entrepreneurs to share insights about the Kingdom's booming startup ecosystem with leading global investors and innovators.' The Monsha'at-led Saudi cohort included five startups: Telgani, a digital car rental platform with over 3 million users; Soum, a second-hand sales app with over 6 million downloads; Webook, a digital engagement platform that has processed over $500 million in event transactions; SiFi, which provides financial solutions to over 500 Saudi companies; and Rewaa, a retail tech company serving over 7,000 clients across the Kingdom. Together, these companies showcase the dynamism of Saudi Arabia's growing e-commerce, transportation, entertainment technology, fintech, and retail tech sectors. Their involvement comes at a time of strong momentum for the Kingdom's SME and startup ecosystems. In Q1 2025, Saudi Arabia's private sector recorded a 48% q-o-q increase in commercial registrations, reaching 1.68 million active registrations nationwide. High-growth sectors included e-commerce, which saw a 6% increase to 41,322 registered entities, and cloud-computing, which surged 33% during the same period. Monsha'at's presence at VivaTech 2025 underlines Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, enabling international partnerships, and accelerating the growth of Saudi tech leaders, particularly SMEs.
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Saudi Arabia Showcases Potential Unicorns at VivaTech Paris, Highlighting the Kingdom's Growing Innovation Power
PARIS, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monsha'at, Saudi Arabia's Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, led a group of five potential Saudi unicorns SMEs to participate in VivaTech 2025, Europe's leading technology and innovation exhibition. Its participation was part of Saudi Unicorns; a Saudi Vision 2030 initiative to help high-potential, fast-growing companies in promising sectors reach valuations of over $1 billion. Held in Paris from June 11-14, the four-day innovation-focused event featured 13,500 startups, 3,200 investors, and over 165,000 attendees. Now in its ninth year, the conference was a key opportunity for Monsha'at to expose high-potential Saudi startups to global best practices, industry insights, and strategic networks with leading global stakeholders, gain fresh perspectives, and acquire the skills and contacts they need to globally scale. It also allowed them to share Saudi Arabia's success story with leading tech investors, which aligns with the Saudi Unicorns initiative's commitment to driving growth and innovation in the Saudi startup space. 'Our participation at VivaTech 2025 was a tremendous opportunity to not only showcase several of the best young startups and concepts coming out of the Kingdom,' said Saud Alsabhan, Vice Governor of Entrepreneurship at Monsha'at. 'It was also a chance to allow some of our best tech entrepreneurs to share insights about the Kingdom's booming startup ecosystem with leading global investors and innovators.' The Monsha'at-led Saudi cohort included five startups: Telgani, a digital car rental platform with over 3 million users; Soum, a second-hand sales app with over 6 million downloads; Webook, a digital engagement platform that has processed over $500 million in event transactions; SiFi, which provides financial solutions to over 500 Saudi companies; and Rewaa, a retail tech company serving over 7,000 clients across the Kingdom. Together, these companies showcase the dynamism of Saudi Arabia's growing e-commerce, transportation, entertainment technology, fintech, and retail tech sectors. Their involvement comes at a time of strong momentum for the Kingdom's SME and startup ecosystems. In Q1 2025, Saudi Arabia's private sector recorded a 48% q-o-q increase in commercial registrations, reaching 1.68 million active registrations nationwide. High-growth sectors included e-commerce, which saw a 6% increase to 41,322 registered entities, and cloud-computing, which surged 33% during the same period. Monsha'at's presence at VivaTech 2025 underlines Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, enabling international partnerships, and accelerating the growth of Saudi tech leaders, particularly SMEs. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Arab News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan sign SME deal to strengthen trade ties
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have signed a comprehensive agreement focused on strengthening economic collaboration through the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, in a move that underscores both nations' commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment. The memorandum of understanding was formalized during the 8th session of the Saudi-Azerbaijani Joint Committee, held in Riyadh. It was signed between Saudi Arabia's Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha'at, and Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency, known as KOBIA. The SME agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritizes economic diversification and entrepreneurship. For Azerbaijan, it marks another step in forging strategic partnerships in the Gulf region to bolster private-sector growth and create new market opportunities for innovative enterprises. In a statement posted on X, Monsha'at said: 'In the presence of H.E Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Samir Sharifov, Monsha'at, signed a MoU with 'KOBİA' Agency, as part of the 8th session of the Saudi-Azerbaijani Joint Committee activities, to strengthen cooperation in supporting the SMEs and entrepreneurship's growth between the two countries.' The agreement encompasses a broad range of initiatives, including knowledge exchange, joint training programs, and support for technical innovation. It also promotes investment opportunities, cross-border partnerships, and institutional collaboration through exhibitions and shared platforms. Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan come together at the 8th Session of the Joint Commission between the two nations to unlock new investment opportunities, strengthen economic ties, and drive future collaboration across key sectors. — INVEST SAUDI (@InvestSaudi) April 29, 2025 In a separate announcement, the Saudi Ministry of Investment revealed the signing of two additional memorandums of understanding between private-sector companies from both countries. 'These agreements cover the development of maritime infrastructure and the establishment of industrial and medical facilities in the Kingdom, including the production of biotechnology and oncology medicines, the establishment of research and development centers, and infrastructure for re-export warehouses,' the Ministry noted in a post on X. The joint committee also reviewed a series of potential joint ventures aimed at strengthening cooperation across mutually beneficial sectors. These initiatives are closely aligned with both countries' long-term goals for economic diversification. Officials from Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan emphasized the importance of fostering dynamic SME ecosystems as engines of job creation, innovation, and global competitiveness. By aligning policy frameworks and enabling institutional collaboration, the two nations aim to unlock greater private-sector engagement and regional trade expansion.
