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Startup Wrap – Saudi VC space continues to play pivotal role in SMEs growth as Biban 24 delivers deals

Startup Wrap – Saudi VC space continues to play pivotal role in SMEs growth as Biban 24 delivers deals
şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s signature startup event Biban 24 saw deals worth more than $5 billion signed to support SMEs. SPA
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https://arab.news/4bft9

Updated 08 November 2024
Nour El-Shaeri 

Startup Wrap – Saudi VC space continues to play pivotal role in SMEs growth as Biban 24 delivers deals

Startup Wrap – Saudi VC space continues to play pivotal role in SMEs growth as Biban 24 delivers deals
Updated 08 November 2024
Nour El-Shaeri 

RIYADH: şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s venture capital ecosystem continues to boost the regional startup space, with one company plowing $20 million into the early stage-focused Booster IV fund.

Saudi Venture Capital Co. announced it was pouring the money into the fund, which is managed by Beco Capital and focuses on investments across the Gulf region.

Booster IV aims to support high-growth or disruptive startups, targeting companies from the seed stage up to series A. 

The fund’s investment strategy spans various sectors with a strong emphasis on şÚÁĎÉçÇř and the broader Gulf region, and currently oversees $495 million in assets across four funds.

“Our investment in Booster IV, managed by Beco Capital, aligns with our fund investment program and our strategy to support funds that back early stage startups in şÚÁĎÉçÇř,” said Nabeel Koshak, CEO and board member of SVC.

Established in 2018, SVC is a subsidiary of the SME Bank, part of şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s National Development Fund.

The company is dedicated to stimulating and sustaining financing for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting them from the pre-seed stage up to pre-IPO through funding and co-investments in high-potential startups.

Saudi’s BIM Ventures and Japan’s SBI Holdings launch $2bn-targeted BIM Capital




Supplied.

şÚÁĎÉçÇř-based venture studio BIM Ventures and Japan’s SBI Holdings have launched a joint venture aiming to drive growth across şÚÁĎÉçÇř and the broader Middle East.

BIM Capital’s investment strategy spans private equity, venture capital, debt funds, and real estate development, with a target of attracting over $200 million in foreign direct investment and managing assets exceeding $2 billion.

The firm will leverage its expertise to identify high-growth sectors, with a particular emphasis on technology ventures, emerging industries, and real estate development, offering investors access to innovative, transformative opportunities.

Mush Social raises $1.2m in pre-seed funding led by Nifal Consulting

Saudi-based Mush Social has closed a $1.2 million pre-seed funding round led by Nifal Consulting, with support from Nahr Al-Jazeera Holding and angel investors.

Founded in 2022 by Abdulhadi Al-Asmi, Mush Social operates a social platform where users can earn points and own virtual assets through its interactive map feature, potentially monetizing their online interactions.

The funds will support the development of advanced technologies to enhance user value from their engagements on the platform.

Ayen acquires Egyptian contech Elmawkaa in seven-figure deal




The deal will see Ayen integrate Elmawkaa’s construction materials marketplace into its property evaluation platform. Supplied

Saudi property tech company Ayen has acquired Egyptian construction technology firm Elmawkaa in a seven-figure Saudi riyal transaction.

Founded in 2018 by Abdulrahman Al-Mulqi, Ali Al-Mohsen, and Aymen Al-Sarory, Ayen provides data-driven property evaluation solutions.

The acquisition will integrate Elmawkaa’s construction materials marketplace into Ayen’s platform, strengthening its market position across the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

Elmawkaa, established in 2017, offers a digital marketplace for competitive quotations on building materials, aimed at streamlining procurement for construction companies.

Aramco Ventures backs IOTA Software’s $10.4m series A2 round

Aramco Ventures has joined a $10.4 million Series A2 funding round for IOTA Software, a cloud-native platform for industrial performance optimization, led by Altira Group with participation from Oxy Technology Ventures and Second Avenue Partners.

The funds will enable IOTA to expand its engineering, product, and customer success teams, enhance its technology infrastructure, and strengthen marketing efforts. IOTA’s platform aggregates business and operations data to aid decision-making across industrial sectors.

Warburg AI secures $250k in seed funding for financial AI solutions

UAE-based Warburg AI has raised $250,000 in seed funding from undisclosed investors.

Founded in 2024 by Ben Pfeffer, Lancelot De Briey, and Madiyar Ismagulov, Warburg AI develops adaptive artificial intelligence and machine learning tools for financial institutions, with a focus on algorithmic trading, real-time risk management, and asset optimization.

The capital will be directed toward product development and expansion of its customer solutions team.

Brands.io raises seed funding to expand AI-focused domain services

UAE’s Brands.io, an AI-driven domain name provider, has raised an undisclosed amount in seed funding from unnamed investors.

Founded in 2024 by Chetan Gera, Brands.io offers customized domain names tailored for AI companies. 

The investment will fuel platform development, add technical features, and support the company’s expansion into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with a strong focus on strengthening its GCC presence.

NorthLadder raises $10m in series B for expansion in pre-owned electronics market




NorthLadder aims to capitalize on the increasing demand in the expanding pre-owned smartphone market. Supplied

UAE-based NorthLadder, a trade-in platform for pre-owned electronics, has raised $10 million in a Series B funding round led by stc Group’s corporate venture capital arm, tali ventures, with additional contributions from the Dutch Founders Fund and Crescent Ventures.

Founded in 2021 by Mihin Shah and Sandeep Shetty, NorthLadder offers a secure platform for reselling pre-owned devices, addressing growing demand in this sector.

With the new capital, NorthLadder plans to enhance its technology and expand its presence, particularly in Europe.

CE-Ventures co-leads $10m funding round for CrossBridge Bio’s cancer therapies

UAE-based CE-Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Crescent Enterprises, has co-led a $10 million funding round for CrossBridge Bio, a Houston-based biotech firm focused on developing dual-payload antibody drug conjugates for targeted cancer treatments.

The round also included participation from TMC Venture Fund, Portal Innovations, Alexandria Ventures, and several pre-seed investors.

The investment will support the advancement of CrossBridge Bio’s lead candidate, CBB-120, which targets solid tumors.

Additionally, the funding will enable the company to expand its pipeline of dual-payload ADCs and further develop its proprietary linker technology, which it claims could bring a new level of precision to cancer therapy.

şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s signature startup event Biban 24 sees deals to support SMEs

Biban 24, şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s premier event for startups and SMEs, saw over $5 billion in agreements and financing initiatives signed during the first three days.

Organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, or Monsha’at, the Riyadh-based forum secured more than 40 agreements and numerous financing portfolios aimed at bolstering şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s SME sector in alignment with Vision 2030 goals.

These deals, amounting to more than SR18 billion ($4.79 billion) on the first day, SR1.35 billion on the second,  and SR580 million on day three,  included partnerships with leading Saudi banks, international memoranda of understanding, and investment opportunities designed to enhance access to funding and expand support networks for SMEs.

The event, themed “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” underscores Monsha’at’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for SMEs to thrive, positioning them as key drivers of economic diversification.

Topics: Startup Wrap Biban 2024 Biban 24

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Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in green at 10,833

Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in green at 10,833
Updated 14 August 2025
Nadin Hassan

Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in green at 10,833

Closing Bell: Saudi main index ends the week in green at 10,833
  • Parallel market Nomu gained 282.36 points to close at 26,615.66
  • MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 0.72% to 1,401.67
Updated 14 August 2025
Nadin Hassan

RIYADH: şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s Tadawul All Share Index edged up on Thursday, gaining 70.12 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 10,833.59.

The total trading turnover on the main index reached SR4.37 billion ($1.16 billion), with 174 stocks advancing and 74 declining.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 282.36 points to close at 26,615.66. The MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 0.72 percent to 1,401.67.

The best-performing stock on the main market was Thimar Development Holding Co., which jumped 10 percent to SR40.04. 

Saudi Industrial Development Co. rose 9.96 percent to SR33.12, while Saudi Printing and Packaging Co. gained 5.6 percent to SR12.63.

Elm Co. posted the sharpest drop, falling 3.40 percent to SR881. Theeb Rent a Car Co. declined 3.03 percent to SR62.35, Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co. dropped 2.62 percent to SR24.13, and Al Mawarid Manpower Co. decreased 2.59 percent to SR 128.1.

On the announcements front, Group Five Pipe Saudi Co. posted a substantial increase in its net profit for the first half of the year, supported by strong sales growth, the company said in a filing on Wednesday.

According to the firm’s financial disclosure on the Saudi Exchange, net profit for the six months ending June 30 reached SR125.18 million, a significant rise from SR9.2 million recorded during the same period in 2024. This marks a year-on-year jump of over 1,259 percent.

The increase in profit was primarily driven by volume growth and lower production costs.

Group Five Pipe Saudi Co.’s share price traded 29.95 percent higher to close at SR38.96.

National Signage Industrial Co., also known as Sign World, has set the price range for its initial public offering between SR12 and SR15 per share, according to a statement issued by Yaqeen Capital, the company’s financial adviser and lead manager.

The offering consists of 1.5 million ordinary shares, representing 20 percent of Sign World’s post-listing issued share capital. The entire stake is allocated to qualified investors as part of the book-building process.

Yaqeen Capital said the bidding and book-building period for qualified investors will commence on Aug. 17 and close on Aug. 24.

Qualified subscribers may apply for a minimum of 10 shares and up to a maximum of 374,990 shares.

Topics: TASI Tadawul MSCI 30 Tadawul Index NOMU Closing Bell Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul)

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UAE air traffic climbs 6.2% as airports handle 75.4m passengers in H1

UAE air traffic climbs 6.2% as airports handle 75.4m passengers in H1
Updated 14 August 2025
Nadin Hassan

UAE air traffic climbs 6.2% as airports handle 75.4m passengers in H1

UAE air traffic climbs 6.2% as airports handle 75.4m passengers in H1
Updated 14 August 2025
Nadin Hassan

RIYADH: The UAE’s civil aviation sector posted robust growth in the first half of 2025, with passenger traffic climbing 5 percent to 75.4 million, up from 71.7 million a year earlier, according to the Emirates News Agency or WAM.

January was the busiest month, handling more than 13.7 million travelers across the nation’s airports.

The surge in passenger and cargo activity reflects a broader global rebound in aviation, as Middle Eastern carriers leverage their strategic location to capture long-haul transit traffic between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Air traffic movements increased 6.2 percent to 531,000 operations in the first six months, compared to nearly 500,000 in the same period of 2024. Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, and Bahrain ranked among the top five most active routes.

Cargo volumes also strengthened, rising 4.74 percent to more than 2.2 million tonnes. National carriers handled 67 percent of total freight, underscoring the UAE’s dominance in regional logistics.

The expansion of UAE-based airlines — with 15 new destinations launched across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — further fueled the sector’s momentum.

Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri, minister of economy and chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the UAE is reinforcing its international and regional aviation standing through “record-breaking growth.”

“This growth stems from innovative national strategies that have elevated our competitiveness and leadership in a vital sector that now plays a central role in economic development, trade, tourism, investment, and job creation across aviation-linked industries,” Al-Marri said, reported WAM.

He added: “The performance indicators for the first half of 2025 demonstrate the sector’s resilience and sustainability, as well as the competitiveness of our airports, national carriers, and air traffic management. Aviation serves as a critical bridge connecting the UAE to the world and is a key enabler of our long-term economic goals.”

Al-Marri noted that the UAE would continue expanding its air connectivity through advanced legislation, open-market policies, and infrastructure development.

Saif Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the aviation sector is on a steady growth trajectory.

“These positive indicators reflect the sector’s strong infrastructure and the unified efforts of all partners, from airport operators and airlines to air traffic controllers,” Al-Suwaidi said.

He expressed pride in the consistent growth in passenger and cargo volumes, citing ambitious development projects aimed at supporting this expansion. The current combined capacity of the UAE’s airports now exceeds 160 million passengers annually.

Al-Suwaidi reaffirmed confidence in the sector’s ability to sustain its pivotal role in boosting the national economy, driving tourism and trade, and strengthening the UAE’s role as a key regional and global air transport hub.

The new routes include cities in Russia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, as well as Armenia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, among others. These additions complement the existing network, bolstering the country’s status as a global aviation hub.

Topics: aviation

GCC ties to propel ASEAN Islamic finance past $1tn, Fitch says   

GCC ties to propel ASEAN Islamic finance past $1tn, Fitch says   
Updated 14 August 2025
 MIGUEL HADCHITY 

GCC ties to propel ASEAN Islamic finance past $1tn, Fitch says   

GCC ties to propel ASEAN Islamic finance past $1tn, Fitch says   
Updated 14 August 2025
 MIGUEL HADCHITY 

RIYADH: The Islamic finance industry in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is set to exceed $1 trillion in assets by the end of 2026, driven by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei and supported by closer Gulf ties, Fitch Ratings said. 

The bloc’s Islamic finance sector reached nearly $950 billion at the end of the first half of 2025, accounting for about a quarter of the global total, the agency said in a report. Demand remains uneven within ASEAN, with limited presence in Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, and underdeveloped markets in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.  

ASEAN’s Islamic finance industry is expanding in line with global trends, with worldwide assets projected to reach $7.5 trillion by 2028, up from $5.5 trillion in 2024, according to Standard Chartered. 

In its latest report, Fitch stated: “Growth will continue to be led by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei due to their large Muslim populations, enabling regulations, access to sukuk, and potentially improving ties with Gulf Cooperation Council countries.” 

GCC investors already hold stakes in some Malaysian banks, while Gulf Islamic banks are key arrangers and investors in dollar sukuk issued in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines — a pattern seen in markets such as the UK, Turkiye and Kazakhstan.   

Sukuk dominate 

ASEAN’s sukuk outstanding reached $475 billion by mid-2025, making up 16 percent of the region’s debt capital market.   

Malaysia and Indonesia lead the way, contributing nearly half, 47 percent, of the global sukuk market. “Sukuk outstanding represents 59 percent of Malaysia’s debt capital market and 18 percent in Indonesia,” Fitch highlighted.    

Environmental, social, and governance-linked sukuk are also concentrated in these two nations, while Singapore serves as a key listing hub for dollar-denominated sukuk.   

Banking and funds  

Malaysia remained ASEAN’s largest Islamic banking market, with assets totaling about $300 billion, representing 42 percent of total system financing.  

Indonesia followed with $56 billion in Islamic banking assets, though its market share remains modest at 7 percent. Brunei’s Islamic banks hold a dominant 63 percent of the country’s total banking assets.   

In the takaful sector, Malaysia’s family takaful accounts for 39 percent of the insurance market, while Brunei’s takaful penetration stands at 47.8 percent.  

The Philippines has taken steps to develop its Islamic finance ecosystem, issuing its first takaful operator licenses in 2024 and introducing guidelines for micro-takaful products.     

Regulatory gaps  

Recent high-level meetings have reinforced Islamic finance’s role in ASEAN’s economic strategy. The 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in April emphasized its importance in sustainable and infrastructure financing.  

Meanwhile, the second ASEAN-GCC summit in May strengthened cross-border ties, with Fitch noting that “GCC Islamic banks are key investors and arrangers of dollar sukuk issued in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.” 

Despite progress, regulatory frameworks remain absent in Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, limiting growth. However, with deepening GCC connections and strong fundamentals, Fitch expected ASEAN’s Islamic finance industry to maintain its upward trajectory.   

Fitch’s report aligns with S&P Global Ratings’ April assessment, which highlighted the Islamic finance industry’s rapid expansion in 2024, driven by robust growth in banking assets and sukuk issuances — particularly in foreign currencies.    

S&P projected that this momentum will continue in 2025, barring major macroeconomic disruptions, supported by stable oil prices and sustained financing needs from economic transformation programs.   

However, risks loom, including potential oil price declines and the possible adoption of Shariah Standard 62, which could reshape sukuk structures from debt-like to equity-like, potentially fragmenting the market and deterring fixed-income investors.     

The industry’s 10.6 percent asset growth in 2024 was heavily concentrated, with GCC countries — led by şÚÁĎÉçÇř — contributing 81 percent of Islamic banking expansion, fueled by Vision 2030 projects and deep market penetration.    

Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia remained key sukuk hubs, though currency volatility in emerging markets like Turkiye and Egypt poses challenges. Global sukuk issuance is expected to reach $190–200 billion in 2025, with foreign currency issuances playing a pivotal role.   

Looking ahead, S&P emphasized that simplifying Islamic finance structures and leveraging fintech could enhance competitiveness, while sustainable sukuk, led by the Kingdom and Indonesia, presents a growing niche.   

Yet, the industry’s trajectory hinges on regulatory clarity, particularly around Standard 62, which could trigger a pre-emptive issuance surge before implementation. 

Topics: Sukuk Islamic finance

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Jordan’s domestic revenue rises 3.6% to $6.59bn in H1  

Jordan’s domestic revenue rises 3.6% to $6.59bn in H1  
Updated 14 August 2025
Nour El-Shaeri

Jordan’s domestic revenue rises 3.6% to $6.59bn in H1  

Jordan’s domestic revenue rises 3.6% to $6.59bn in H1  
Updated 14 August 2025
Nour El-Shaeri

RIYADH: Jordan’s domestic revenues climbed 3.6 percent in the first half of 2025 to 4.67 billion dinars ($6.59 billion), bolstered by fiscal measures aimed at strengthening public finances, official data show. 

The increase — equivalent to about 164.7 million dinars — came as the government reduced public debt to 35.3 billion dinars, or 90.9 percent of gross domestic product, down from 92.7 percent in May, the state-run Petra news agency reported, citing Central Bank of Jordan figures.  

The decline followed the Finance Ministry’s June repayment of $1 billion in maturing Eurobonds, funded through concessional loans secured earlier in the year at a 4.8 percent interest rate. The move allowed Amman to avoid issuing new debt at yields that could have approached 9 percent amid global and regional market pressures. 

According to a report in July, domestic revenues rose by about 224.1 million dinars in the first five months of the year, reaching 4.067 billion dinars, compared with 3.843 billion dinars in the same period of 2024. 

Tourism revenue for the first seven months of 2025 rose by 8.6 percent, totaling $4.398 billion. That growth occurred despite a 5.6 percent dip in tourism receipts in July, which fell to $721.4 million.  

Revenue from visitors of Asian nationalities surged by 41.1 percent, European visitors contributed a 33.8 percent increase, Americans accounted for a 21.7 percent rise, Arab visitors added 7.3 percent, and other nationalities posted a 38.0 percent increase.   

Meanwhile, revenue from Jordanian expatriate visitors declined by 2.5 percent.   

“The figures showed a 4 percent increase in spending by Jordanians on tourism abroad during the first seven months of 2025, reaching $1.247 billion,” stated the report.  

In July alone, that outbound tourism spending rose 7 percent, amounting to $247.4 million.  

Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision identifies tourism as a core pillar of national growth, with the sector positioned to drive inclusive economic development and job creation.   

The strategy aims to boost GDP growth to 5.6 percent and attract significant private investment, with 72 percent of the required 41 billion dinars expected from non-government sources.   

The National Tourism Strategy 2021-25 supports this vision by promoting sustainable, authentic tourism experiences and strengthening sector competitiveness.  

These initiatives form part of broader efforts to diversify revenue streams, enhance fiscal resilience, and position Jordan as a high-value destination for regional and international travelers.  

Topics: Jordan tourism GDP

Saudi inflation eases to 2.1% in July: GASTAT

Saudi inflation eases to 2.1% in July: GASTAT
Updated 14 August 2025
Nirmal Narayanan

Saudi inflation eases to 2.1% in July: GASTAT

Saudi inflation eases to 2.1% in July: GASTAT
  • Housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel posted steepest annual increase
  • Furnishing and home equipment prices declined by 2%
Updated 14 August 2025
Nirmal Narayanan

RIYADH: şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s annual inflation rate slowed in July to 2.1 percent, down from 2.3 percent in June, as softer price gains in some categories offset persistent housing pressures, official data showed. 

The figures, published in the latest report from the General Authority for Statistics, revealed that housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel posted the steepest annual increase among major categories, climbing 5.6 percent. 

That was driven by a 6.6 percent rise in rents, including a 6.4 percent increase in villa rentals. The housing component accounts for 25.5 percent of the consumer price index basket, making it a key driver of the headline figure.

The inflation trend aligns with the Kingdom’s goal of balancing economic growth with price stability as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy beyond oil. The government’s November 2024 budget projected inflation to remain steady at 1.9 percent in 2025, up slightly from 1.7 percent in 2024. 

“The annual inflation rate in the Kingdom witnessed a relative slowdown in the pace of growth during July 2025, reaching 2.1 percent, compared to 2.3 percent in the previous June,” GASTAT said. 

This comes as a July report from Kuwait-based non-banking firm Kamco Invest said inflation across Gulf Cooperation Council countries remained stable in the second quarter, despite heightened geopolitical instability. It added that the conflict’s limited impact on GCC inflation was largely due to gradual, rather than sudden, increases in commodity and shipping costs. 

Sectoral breakdown 

Food and beverage prices increased by 1.6 percent year on year in July, driven by a 2.6 percent increase in the costs for meat and poultry. 

The authority said expenses for personal goods and services rose by 4.3 percent compared to the same period in the previous year. This was due to a 24.7 percent rise in the prices of jewelry, watches, and precious antiques. 

Restaurant and hotel costs edged up 1.4 percent year on year, while education prices advanced by 1.1 percent during the same period. 

Furnishing and home equipment prices declined by 2 percent, expenses for clothing and footwear decreased by 0.4 percent, and transportation prices dropped by 0.3 percent during the same period. 

Month on month, şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s Consumer Price Index was stable in July, reflecting unchanged prices across multiple sectors. Transportation, restaurants, and hotels recorded no change, while clothing and footwear, health, telecommunications, and tobacco also held steady. 

Prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel rose 0.2 percent. 

Entertainment costs also increased 0.2 percent from June, while education expenses edged down 0.1 percent. 

The report added that food and beverage prices fell 0.2 percent, followed by a 0.1 percent decline in personal goods and services. 

Wholesale Price Index  

In a separate report, GASTAT said şÚÁĎÉçÇř’s Wholesale Price Index rose 2.1 percent in July from a year earlier, driven by a 4.1 percent increase in prices of transportable goods. 

“The prices of other transportable goods, except metal products, machinery, and equipment, increased by 4.1 percent, driven by an 8.3 percent rise in the prices of refined petroleum products, and an 8.6 percent increase in the prices of furniture and other transportable goods,” said GASTAT. 

Prices of agricultural and fishery products rose 4.4 percent, while metal products edged up 0.1 percent. 

Food products, beverages, tobacco, and textiles also increased 0.3 percent. 

Prices of ores and minerals fell 0.8 percent, driven by an equivalent drop in stone and sand prices. 

Average prices 

In a separate analysis, GASTAT said green beans and local eggs saw the largest month-on-month increases in July, both rising 3.2 percent. 

Imported chilled sheep meat and hay also recorded notable gains, up 2.2 percent and 2 percent, respectively. 

The steepest declines were in Pakistani mangoes and medium African lemons, with prices falling 12.7 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively. 

Topics: Saudi inflation Saudi General Statistics Authority (GASTAT) Inflation

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