Amar Shubar

Unlocking Opportunities in Saudi Arabia: The Startup Ecosystem Guide Saudi Arabia is experiencing a remarkable economic transformation, establishing itself as a dynamic hub for startups and international businesses. The Kingdom's commitment to this evolution is largely driven by Vision 2030, a national strategy designed to cultivate a robust, innovation-led private sector. As the nation diversifies its economy, it is enhancing its regulatory frameworks and investing in digital infrastructure, aiming to position itself as a global leader in innovation. This transformation is more than just economic; it is about creating high-value jobs and a sustainable economy. The Kingdom is home to over 37 million people, providing a substantial market supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of public and private enablers. The strategic reforms implemented have simplified business establishment processes, complemented by various incentives that promote innovation. Notable entities such as the Ministry of Investment (MISA), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Monshaat, stc, NEOM, and KAUST are pivotal in shaping this favorable landscape. Key Highlights to Consider: - Vision 2030 as Catalyst: As a cornerstone of diversification, Vision 2030 aims to raise the private sector's contribution to GDP to 65%. This ambitious target reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to economic sustainability beyond oil. - Untapped Market Potential: Saudi Arabia boasts a large, young, and digitally-savvy population, driving demand for tech-enabled services. With internet penetration at 99%, the Kingdom is witnessing a surge in AI adoption, with 81% of enterprises integrating AI solutions into their operations. - Comprehensive Support System: The synergistic relationships between government bodies and corporate entities foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and investors alike. This network is essential for navigating the evolving business landscape. The Saudi Startup Ecosystem Guide serves as a comprehensive resource for global investors and entrepreneurs. It provides insights into emerging opportunities and strategic sectors while outlining how to engage effectively in this vibrant ecosystem. Next Steps: - Review the Saudi Startup Ecosystem Guide for valuable insights. - Identify areas of interest within the highlighted sectors. - Explore partnerships with local entities and investors to maximize potential. Together, we can unlock the myriad opportunities the Kingdom offers and contribute to a prosperous future in this evolving market. Credit : Ministry of Investment Repost b: Salem Bagami Chief Executive Officer Digital Transformation Company & Managing Director 2080 Ventures Email: salem@2080.ventures Website: www.2080.ventures cc: Yasir Al Rumayyan Fahad Al-Saif

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Unveiling the Future: Saudi Arabia’s Trailblazing $100 Billion Foray into AI with ALAM LLM From the sands of history to the cutting-edge of technology, Saudi Arabia is making waves with an astronomical leap into artificial intelligence. Introducing: Allam LLM , a groundbreaking development in AI, poised to redefine the socio-economic landscape not just for the kingdom but for the entire world. A Visionary Pursuit From the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to the supportive leadership of HRH the Crown Prince, Allam is positioned to stand as a beacon of the future. This isn’t just an AI model; it’s a cultural and technological renaissance. Imagine technology that speaks fluently in both Khaleeji and Shami accents—embracing regional nuances while leveraging global capabilities. Revolutionary Numbers: - $100B: Total investment, a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leading in innovation. - $23B: Secured deals with tech giants like NVIDIA, AMD, AWS, and Qualcomm. - 18,000: Cutting-edge NVIDIA GB300 GPUs, underpinning this AI marvel. - 500 MW: Planned AI compute capacity, making formidable strides toward powering AI. Technical Mastery: Allam is crafted with cutting-edge architectures. With 1.8 trillion parameters,it is optimized for enterprise and government utility, focusing deeply on regional finance, legal, and cultural insights. Deployed on a sovereign cloud, it offers robust data security, ensuring in-country data sanctity and global usability connectivity through InfiniBand technology. Standing Shoulder to Shoulder: In a global context, Allam dwarfs some of the biggest names: - Surpassing OpenAI’s funding - $30B—is just the beginning. - GPU usage comparable to China’s DeepSeek—the competition is fierce! - It’s a unified vision encompassing R&D, compute,*and venture capital,under one roof. Distinctive Edge in the AI Race: - Allam (Saudi Arabia): 1.8T parameters, region-centered, with inbuilt sovereign cloud deployment. - GPT-4o (OpenAI): 1.8T, aimed at a global market via Azure. - V3 (DeepSeek): 1.3T, focused primarily on China with a domestic footprint. Ecosystem Worth Emulating: Saudi Arabia is cultivating a robust ecosystem to support this technological leap: - SDAIAs national AI strategies and smart city projects. - NEOM’s TONOMUS: Crafting cognitive cities, pushing urban AI boundaries. - KAUST & KACST: Pillars of academic and applied research. - The Garage: A thriving deep tech accelerator. The kingdom is not just participating in the AI revolution—it’s leading it. As the allure of oil once powered the engines of change, it’s clear that intelligence—Human and Artificial—is the new fuel for Saudi’s ambitious future. The Future Is Here: With Allam LLM, Saudi Arabia is scripting history, transforming the heart of the desert into the brain of the future. Credit: Giorgio Torre Repostby: Salem Bagami #SaudiVision #AllamLLM #AIRevolution #InnovationLeadership #FutureTech

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After years of silence… the missing formula in modern finance has been solved. 1 Trillion USD. Zero Debt. Infinite Possibility. Introducing a new capital architecture engineered to accelerate the boldest vision of our era — HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dream for NEOM and the Kingdom’s future. What it is: - A zero-debt financing system that mobilizes up to $1T for nation-scale projects without adding to sovereign debt. - A profit-and-purpose model where capital shares in upside through real economic output, not interest-bearing liabilities. - A turnkey framework built for speed, transparency, and accountability at giga-project scale. How it works: - Equity-first, revenue-participation instruments that align investors, builders, and citizens from day one. - Asset-backed value capture: long-term concessions, offtake agreements, land value growth, and utility cash flows secured and ring-fenced. - Institutional-grade risk transfer: completion guarantees, performance insurance, and first-loss protection to de-risk construction and early demand curves. - Islamic finance native: Sharia-compliant structures (musharakah, mudarabah, istisna) delivering ethical, inclusive growth. - Real-time governance: independent trustees, auditable cash waterfalls, and digital dashboards for KPI and impact reporting. Why it matters: - Targets materially lower cost of capital vs. conventional project finance, with no burden on future generations. - Unlocks private and sovereign capital at scale, empowering PPPs without fiscal strain. - Accelerates delivery across NEOM’s portfolio — The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Sindalah — while catalyzing SMEs, jobs, and advanced industries. - Hardwires sustainability and national capability-building into every tranche of capital. What you can expect: - Phased deployment with milestone-based draws tied to verified progress. - Capital stacks that blend sovereign partners, global pensions, family offices, and strategic operators. - A transparent, exportable model that can scale across the Kingdom and beyond. The system exists. The time is now. If you’re a sovereign partner, institutional investor, EPC, or operator ready to co-create the next chapter of Vision 2030, let’s talk. Briefings available for qualified partners under NDA. Original post by : Nasser Aljuraid Repost by : Salem Bagami #Vision2030 #NEOM #KSA #ProjectFinance #SovereignWealth #IslamicFinance #Infrastructure #GigaProjects #ImpactInvesting #FutureOfFinance

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That’s the paradox facing many emerging market startups — and one that reflects a broader truth in venture capital today. I spoke to Christine Burke and Laura Gardner Cuesta from Bloomberg about this tension, with a particular focus on the #MiddleEast: that raising capital today is possible — if you’re in the bullseye. 📍The Bullseye means: You’re growing fast (ideally faster than peers) and efficiently (and increasingly profitably) You’re building in the right theme (say, AI or defense) You’re in a favored geo (often the U.S. or core hubs in Europe) If you’re even slightly outside that bullseye — not growing efficiently, not building in a hyped sector, not headquartered in a top-tier market — raising capital has become materially harder, even when it shouldn’t be. The Middle East is a particularly stark example. There’s no shortage of capital (sovereign wealth funds and family offices manage trillions). Yet late-stage funding gaps persist, forcing some of the region’s most promising startups to raise abroad. This is a solvable problem. And it will happen in time. Read the Bloomberg piece here: [insert link] #venturecapital #emergingmarkets #startups #middleeast #growthcapital #FluentVentures https://lnkd.in/giZrBMhF

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𝐊𝐒𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Program has a clear mandate: 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 — and a digital-first model of care. Today, health data is still 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝟓𝟎𝟎+ 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝟏𝟒𝟎+ 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐬. Without unified rails, AI and preventive healthcare can’t reach full scale. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: * Build a 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 & 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐎𝐒 as the foundation. * Layer high-impact ventures on top — 𝐀𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰? 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲: Data localization is mandatory under KSA’s Personal Data Protection Law. 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝: Global studies show interoperable health records reduce duplication by up to 50% and improve care coordination. 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Vision 2030 budgets and giga-project healthcare hubs create immediate anchor customers. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: Lead by being the anchor customer. Use a venture studio or corporate VC to localize the tech stack, keep data sovereign, and create market pull from day one. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬: This is a real problem with a clear path to market. The rails are missing — build them, and the ecosystem will follow. Vision 2030 isn’t just about tech adoption. It’s about execution, demand readiness, and building platforms others can innovate on. #Vision2030 #SaudiArabia #SaudiHealth #HealthData #SaudiInnovation #DigitalHealth #HealthcareTransformation #CorporateInnovation #CVC #VentureBuilding #StartupEcosystem

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Riyadh, PIF Private Sector Forum 2026 🇸🇦 What’s most exciting this year is the clear shift from projects to platforms and ecosystems. Public Investment Fund (PIF) is no longer just catalysing individual sectors – it’s actively integrating supply chains, investors, and innovators into one coherent economic engine. A few key takeaways that stood out to me: 190+ curated investment opportunities have already been opened to the private sector, worth around SAR 40 billion, with a strong push on localised supply chains and ecosystem partnerships. Local contractors now deliver roughly two‑thirds of PIF project value, enabled by innovative financing programs that de‑risk large, complex projects for private players. Over 12,000 participants, 200+ speakers, and more than 120 portfolio companies are here, turning “access” into real conversations, match‑making, and deal flow across priority sectors. ​ The next five‑year strategy (2026–2030) is doubling down on industry, minerals, AI, and tourism, signalling a pivot from mega‑project headlines to scalable, investable ecosystems. For founders, operators, and investors across the GCC, this isn’t just another forum – it’s a live blueprint of how public–private partnership can look when it’s designed around execution, transparency, and long‑term value creation. If you’re building in Saudi or looking at entry, now is the time to plug into these platforms, align with value chains early, and co‑create with PIF portfolio companies rather than standing on the sidelines. _____________________________________ My name is Katerina Hayes I connect global innovation to Gulf capital—and Gulf ambition to global markets. As Executive Director of KH Group 7 Holding, I help companies scale into UAE & KSA through strategic advisory, business setup, fundraising, M&A, and premium ecosystem access. Backed by 17+ years in engineering, operations, and investment, I work with governments, family offices, and corporate leaders to build partnerships that drive economic impact. Sectors: DeepTech | Energy | SpaceTech | Private Equity Services: Market Entry | M&A | Fundraising | Strategic Events | Real Estate Investment Let's shape the future of Gulf innovation together. #PIF #PrivateSectorForum #SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #Investments #Ecosystem

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Saudi's Humain is set to bankroll AI startups with $10B but that's not the news here ‣ So what makes this particular program so interesting? ⏺ Let's look at a snapshot of relevant investments and programs first: → NEOM, Qiddiya | القدية, STA: Deploying AI for real-time translation, navigation, and crowd management in giga-projects → SDAIA | سدايا & Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia: Launched SAMAI Initiative to train 1 million Saudis in AI → National Semiconductor Hub (RDI): $3.2B program including a $500M National Semiconductor Fund; targeting 50 fabless chip firms by 2030 → Salesforce: Investing $500M to scale AI-powered CRM, hiring 40+ staff, and establishing RHQ in Riyadh → Qualcomm & HUMAIN: Launching edge-cloud CPUs, AI data centers, and a Design Center in KSA → NVIDIA & HUMAIN: Delivering hundreds of thousands of Blackwell GPUs for 500MW AI factories in KSA → Neo Space Group: Vehicle for $2B national space strategy investments → AviLease & Boeing: Signed $4.8B deal to acquire Boeing 737-8 aircraft → Saudi Downtown Company: Developing 12 cities across KSA for improved quality of life and accelerated economic growth → Joby Aviation and Abdul Latif Jameel: Announced partnership to deliver $1B rollout in KSA --- ⏺ What you see here is a mere snapshot of the $2 trillion+ estimated value of investments and development in the Kingdom, over the next few years ⏺ Just some of the areas where we can see the pace and scale of development: - Infrastructure (metro lines, airports, sea transport, healthcare, entertainment + more) - Establishment of over 600+ regional HQs by global enterprises - Increased investment activity by leading financial institutions - Real estate developments with the industry valued at 10% of GDP - Buildout of complete industrial value chains (automotive, aviation, mining, advanced manufacturing, logistics, industrials) ⏺ Artificial intelligence is infrastructure to society - much like the internet. It is an accelerator to every aspect of industry and society. ❇️ Humain's mission is to build one of the world's leading platforms for enabling the AI 'value chain'. We're already seeing this come to fruition in: → Infrastructure (Nvidia, Qualcomm, AMD) → Software (HumainOS, Luma AI) → Investment (VC Fund) → Partnerships (Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco) "The enormous income gaps between rich and poor nations are an expression of the vast differences in productive knowledge amassed by different nations. These differences are expressed in the diversity and sophistication of the things that each of them makes" - Atlas of Economic Complexity, Hausmann and Hidalgo (an interesting read) The ability of a country to benefit from its natural resources depends on its level of economic complexity ✳️ Witnessing the evolution of industry and economy across the Kingdom, an already prosperous nation, is perhaps the most exciting story of our time.

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Riyadh stands out as a compelling new capital markets hub for the Middle East and Africa at a time when traditional centers are faltering. Riyadh offers the potential to raise capital, unlock liquidity, and achieve visibility without leaving the region. For investors, it offers access to growth-stage businesses in markets they increasingly understand. And for policymakers, it represents a regional solution to a regional problem: how to scale capital markets for high-growth, high-potential emerging economies. Saudi Arabia’s equity markets are showing momentum: --Nearly $3 trillion in market cap (top 11 globally) --42 IPOs in 2024, with 50+ expected in 2025 --New rules enabling access for foreign issuers --Strong liquidity, with IPOs regularly oversubscribed by domestic demand #Riyadh #KSA #GCC #MENA #Investment #Fundraising #startups https://lnkd.in/dvpDJvQ9

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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia-headquartered #AI startup intella has raised $12.5 million in a Series A round led by Prosus Ventures, with participation from 500 Global, Wa'ed Ventures, HALA Ventures, Idrisi Ventures, and HearstLab. Founded in Egypt 🇪🇬 in 2021 by Nour Taher and Omar Mansour, Intella builds AI models tailored to #Arabic dialects, offering #transcription, #analytics, and customer engagement tools. The funding will be used to expand Intella's offerings and accelerate its #MENA expansion with go-to-market teams in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. With this round, Intella’s total funding raised stands at $16.9 million. #MiddleEast #Egypt #Saudi

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PIF Raises the Bar: $170 Billion Targeted Toward Europe by 2030 Saudi Arabia is stepping up its economic footprint in Europe. Yassir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced an ambitious plan to double the Fund’s European investments to $170 billion by 2030 — but warned that complex regulatory environments may stand in the way. 🔸️ From $85 Billion to $170 Billion ▪️ Since 2017, PIF has invested $85 billion in Europe: ▪️ $18 billion in direct investments ▪️ $67 billion through acquisitions ▪️ The target is to reach $170 billion by 2030 🔸️ Tangible Economic Impact ▪️ PIF's current investments have contributed $52 billion to Europe's GDP ▪️ Created over 254,000 jobs ▪️ Projected to reach 328,000 jobs by 2030 🔸️ Strategic Presence Across Europe ▪️ European investments are managed from PIF’s London office (est. 2019) ▪️ A new global office in Paris is set to open soon to deepen institutional partnerships 🔸️ Diverse and Resilient Investment Portfolio ▪️ Key holdings include: ▪️ Heathrow Airport, Newcastle United FC, Aston Martin, Airbus ▪️ Clean energy leaders like Ørsted, and investments in France, Germany, and Italy ▪️ Diversification enhances influence and minimizes risk 🔸️ Strategic Government Partnerships ▪️ PIF operates alongside broader state-level initiatives ▪️ In 2023, Saudi Arabia and Italy signed a $10 billion agreement ▪️ Covering energy, infrastructure, digital innovation, and aviation ▪️ These agreements lay the groundwork for long-term investment confidence 🔸️ Regulatory Complexity: The Core Obstacle ▪️ Al-Rumayyan called EU sustainability regulations "shocking" ▪️ Over 1,000 compliance metrics create uncertainty ▪️ Fines may reach up to 5% of annual revenue ▪️ Such complexity risks deterring new capital — and even driving out existing investment ▪️ Delaying enforcement from 2026 to 2028 is helpful, but not enough 🔸️ Backing Europe’s Clean Energy Transition ▪️ PIF is actively investing in the EU’s climate goals ▪️ Wind farms in the UK ▪️ Green hydrogen initiatives in the Netherlands ▪️ Supporting the net-zero target by 2050 with real capital and long-term vision #PublicInvestmentFund #PIF #SaudiInvestments #EuropeEconomy #FII_Europe #PIF #Vision2030

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In the wake of recent events in the Middle East, geopolitical risk has once again moved to the top of the agenda for boards and business leaders. Geopolitical shocks don't unfold in a single moment. They move in layers, over years. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤. Markets react; airspace closes; supply chains stall; volatility rises. 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. Energy, shipping and insurance markets reprice risk almost instantly. Nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which acts as a reminder of how quickly regional tensions can ripple through the global economy. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭. The most consequential effects are often the least visible: investor confidence, capital flows, infrastructure financing and long-term economic positioning can all be reshaped. For economies across the Gulf Cooperation Council that have spent years building global business hubs, stability is both a security issue and especially, a strategic asset. The ripple effects of geopolitical risk can reshape markets 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. For those leading businesses or sitting on boards, the key question lies beyond managing that first ripple. It is whether we are prepared for the second and especially, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝. How are you thinking about geopolitical risk across these layers?

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Saudi Arabia is making a strategic move in the global venture capital scene through AI innovation. Explore the details here: https://lnkd.in/eyZne_27 #AIFuture #VentureCapital

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SPOTLIGHT 🇦🇪: Before BECO Capital became the GCC's largest early-stage VC, founder Dany Farha had already built and exited three companies ... Dany's Track Record: 👉🏼 Co-founded and exited Bayt.com (MENA's largest job site) 👉🏼 Built and exited Butlers (UAE's largest commercial laundry) 👉🏼 Built and exited Intercat (one of the UAE's largest caterers) 👉🏼 Seed investor in Gonabit (acquired by Living Social in 2011) In 2012, Dany co-founded Beco Capital with his cousin Amir Farha. The name "Beco" = "Booster Engine Cut Off": the moment a rocket achieves sufficient altitude to exit Earth's atmosphere. The Track Record: Fund I (2015): $50M 👉🏼 Backed Careem early → $3.1B exit to Uber 👉🏼 Backed Property Finder → $1B+ exit in 2024 👉🏼 Four total exits, including Cisco's acquisition of Voicea Fund II (2019): $100M 👉🏼 Backed Swvl → went public via $1.5B SPAC merger 👉🏼 Backed Kitopi → became a unicorn in 2021 👉🏼 Backed MaxAB → MENA's largest seed round at the time Latest (2025): $370M Dual-Fund Raise 👉🏼 $820M+ total AUM (largest non-government early-stage VC in the Gulf) 👉🏼 65+ portfolio companies 👉🏼Two $1B+ exits 👉🏼 One unicorn 👉🏼 9,000+ jobs created across the portfolio Beco identified a funding gap: tons of capital at $50K-$200K (angels, accelerators), nothing at the $1M-$3M Series A stage. They filled it. They're founder-obsessed. They back the strongest teams building scalable, defensible businesses, even in sectors they aren't initially bullish on, until they meet the right founder. Beco's portfolio companies have raised $1B+ in follow-on capital and shaped entire industries. Dany and the Beco team, serious respect 👏🏼 👀 Interested in MENA tech & startups? Sign up to my weekly newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/dJMzb8Tt #MENA #startup #VC

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💸 where ADIA goes, markets listen. Inside ADIA: The UAE's $1.5 Trillion Investment Giant 🇦🇪 When it comes to long-term, globally diversified investment strategies, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) stands at the top of the list. With an estimated $1.5 trillion AUM, ADIA is quietly shaping the world’s financial landscape, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley, and beyond. Here’s a peek into ADIA’s investment playbook 👇 🔹 Global Equities & Fixed Income → Core focus on global public markets → Strong exposure to U.S., Europe, and emerging markets → Highly disciplined long-term strategy 🔹 Private Equity → Partnered with top global funds and co-investing in high-growth businesses → Active across healthcare, tech, consumer, and infrastructure 🔹 Real Estate & Infrastructure → Owns iconic properties across London, Paris, New York, Singapore → Invested in transport, power, and utilities through global infrastructure platforms 🔹 Alternative Assets & Hedge Funds → Strong presence in hedge funds, credit strategies, and absolute return vehicles → Known for its risk-managed, diversified approach 🔹 Emerging Focus Areas → AI, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and green transition are key themes going forward → Exploring sustainable investments that align with global ESG goals 🎯 Why it matters: ADIA isn’t just managing wealth, it’s allocating influence. It sets the tone for institutional capital globally, and where it invests, others follow. 📣 What sectors do you think sovereign wealth funds like ADIA should double down on next? #ADIA #SovereignWealthFund #UAEInvestments #SmartCapital #ESG #GlobalFinance #DigitalInfrastructure #UAE #Dubai #GreenEconomy #KSA #InstitutionalCapital #GCCLeadership #FamilyOffices #InvestWithPurpose #FutureFocused #Vision2030

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I don’t often reshare articles, but this one is worth slowing down for. This piece by Nour Al Hassan is thoughtful, timely, and clearly struck a chord. The fact that it’s prompted open engagement from leaders like Fadi Ghandour and Mudassir Sheikha, amongst others, is telling. When experienced builders lean into a discussion like this publicly, it’s usually because it reflects realities they’ve lived through. I agree with many of the points raised around capital availability, deployment, and the need for greater intentionality in how the region supports local innovation. A few themes in particular strongly resonate with observations I’ve shared previously on Linkedin and through MAGNiTT. One is late stage. While challenges exist across the venture landscape, they’ve become most visible over the past few years at growth stage, where capital has been heavily reliant on international investors. When global risk appetite tightens, that dependency shows quickly. Another is the absence of exits. Without consistent IPOs, M&A, or trade-sale pathways, venture naturally appears riskier as an asset class, regardless of talent or opportunity. This is where government-backed corporates, procurement frameworks, and international delegation visits can play a catalytic role by creating visibility, demand, and optionality for local startups. A third point that often receives less attention is a growing competitive paradox. As governments successfully attract and welcome well-capitalised international companies into the region, local startups are increasingly asked to compete against players with far deeper venture backing. Competition is healthy, this isn’t an argument for nationalism, but uneven capital footing can create friction and slow long-term ecosystem compounding if not managed thoughtfully. It’s also worth recognising that there’s no single regional playbook. Saudi, the UAE, and smaller GCC markets operate under very different structures and incentives. A more hyper-focused, market-specific approach, built around centres of excellence and specialisation, is likely to be far more effective than broad mandates. What I appreciate most about this article, and why I’m sharing it, is that it encourages us to be comfortable with uncomfortable truths as I wrote about last month. That openness is what creates the space for better dialogue, better system design, and ultimately a stronger ecosystem. We’re clearly moving from the first decade of building to the second decade of compounding. The question I keep coming back to is this: how do we continue to welcome global capital and competition, while ensuring local companies have the conditions to compound, not just survive? Thank you Nour Al for sharing and well worth a read for anyone thinking seriously about where the MENA startup ecosystem goes next. https://lnkd.in/g7Q7yFKt #VentureCapital #MENA #EcosystemDesign #EmergingMarkets

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The real story isn’t the volatility in IPO volumes — it’s the maturity of public investors and the quality of companies coming to market. The more important question is this: How many companies were truly and honestly priced for long-term public-market scrutiny? Regional investors are evolving. They’re becoming more discerning — and they’re voting not with words, but with price action. Valuation discipline matters. Missed guidance matters. Earnings quality matters. This moment clearly separates: IPOs driven by market windows from IPOs driven by durable, cash-generative businesses. And that distinction will define the next cycle. There is a meaningful pipeline of strong companies expected to come to market over the next 12–24 months. Their performance will tell a different story — one that distinguishes sustainable, growing business models from those that relied on favorable timing rather than fundamentals. Trend lines are never linear. They bend, pause, and recalibrate. But zoom out, and the direction is clear: regional capital markets are deepening, broadening, and professionalizing. The Middle East’s growth story isn’t over. It’s being recalibrated. #venturecapital #IPOs #MENA #startups

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Overview of Public Investment Fund (PIF) portfolio. Out of Saudi there is a significant allocation to tech in the US

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