Ghada Ismail

Not long ago, Saudi success stories followed a familiar script: corporate boardrooms, government corridors, and decades-long career climbs. Today, that script is being rewritten, sometimes before the ink on a university degree has even dried. Across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, Saudi founders are launching startups that scale faster than their age, exporting ideas and landing on global radars before they turn 30.

This new generation of entrepreneurs is not waiting for permission, legacy, or perfect conditions. Armed with code, climate tech, AI models, and creative IP, young Saudis are building companies that speak the language of international markets while remaining rooted in local ambition. Their rise reflects more than personal success stories; it signals a structural shift in how the Kingdom produces innovation, competes globally, and defines leadership in the post-oil era.

As Saudi Arabia’s youth-heavy population meets unprecedented access to capital, infrastructure, and global networks, the result is a cohort of founders who are thinking borderless from day one. These under-30 entrepreneurs are proving that global impact is no longer something Saudi startups grow into; it’s something they are born with.

The Kingdom’s startup ecosystem now boasts thousands of youth-led enterprises in technology, climate action, education, health, and lifestyle sectors. Young Saudis are not merely starting businesses; they are building scalable ventures that resonate regionally and internationally, backed by investors, accelerators, and recognition on platforms like Forbes Middle East’s annual 30 Under 30 list. 

In this feature, we explore the journeys of several of these founders under 30, understanding how they navigate systemic challenges, leverage global trends, and create meaningful impact, both for Saudi Arabia’s innovation ecosystem and on the world stage.

Redefining Education with AI: AILA

At just 23 and 22, Yousef Alsayed and Abdulaziz Bin Mugayel have reimagined learning through ‘AILA’, an AI-driven education platform designed to tailor learning paths to individual student needs. Founded in June 2023 while both were still youthful visionaries, AILA uses artificial intelligence to assess students’ strengths, preferences, and pace, delivering personalized quizzes, lessons, and insights while easing administrative burdens for teachers. 

Their impact has been rapid: AILA now supports 26,000 students in Saudi institutions and an additional 15,000 learners in Central Asia, after securing $1.15 million in pre-seed funding from regional venture funds and angels at a valuation of $5.5 million. 
In a recent post on social media, Abdulaziz reflected on their startup’s evolution from “just an idea” to a solution affecting thousands; a reminder of how youthful ambition, when matched with execution, can scale across borders. 

Beyond numbers, their story underscores the potential for Saudi-built AI solutions to contribute to global education challenges — from personalized learning to reduced dropout rates — while showing how young founders can attract capital and adoption beyond domestic markets.

Cultivating Sustainability: NABATIK

Few narratives capture the blend of social mission and technological ingenuity as powerfully as that of Mohammed Alkhalid, founder of ‘NABATIK’. What began with the simple childhood memory of planting a sapling in a barren over the years has grown into a climate-tech startup dedicated to affordable, technology-enabled reforestation. 

NABATIK’s platform links corporates and individuals with nurseries and logistics frameworks that enable tree planting across the Kingdom, incentivizing action toward carbon offset goals. Its model turns environmental stewardship into verifiable impact — something increasingly vital as global climate objectives stress measurable outcomes. 

Alkhalid’s work resonated with global institutions; early in his career, he was recognized among the UN Environment Programme’s Young Champions of the Earth, an honor that signals international recognition of his environmental leadership before age 30. 

His story highlights a broader truth: young Saudi founders are not restricted to app development and fintech but are pioneering climate solutions that align with worldwide sustainability commitments.

KAUST Innovators

Institutions like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have become fertile ground for young innovators whose work straddles scientific research and practical application. In the 2025 Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 cohort alone, multiple KAUST students and alumni were recognized across science and technology categories. 

Among them:

• Aljawharah Alsharif, a Ph.D. candidate developing wearable health-monitoring technologies that can capture physiological signals without skin irritation, which is considered a breakthrough in long-term remote patient monitoring. 
• Esraa Fakeih, co-founder of ‘Gees’, a femtech venture developing a handheld saliva-based hormonal tracking device to help women manage conditions like PCOS at home. 
• Yousef Algoos, innovating ultra-miniaturized MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) for real-time impact detection in wearables like helmets and smart glasses — technology with potential applications in sports safety and occupational health. 

These founders illustrate how Saudi talent fostered in scientific environments can transform research excellence into startups targeting global markets, particularly in health, diagnostics, and wearable tech.

Culture, Creativity, and Beyond: Molham and the Creative Economy

The entrepreneurial wave isn’t limited to tech and environment — it extends to creative industries where Saudi youth are forging global cultural footprints. Molham Krayem, known simply as Molham, is a Saudi musician who has also grown into a business leader as the founder and CEO of Beyond Group, a creative venture builder behind brands like Sand Circus and MELT London. 

Recognized on Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 for blending artistry with entrepreneurship, Molham exemplifies how creative talent can transcend cultural production and evolve into global entrepreneurial success. 

His journey speaks to a broader trend that Saudi youth are building ventures that cultivate cultural export alongside economic value, positioning the Kingdom as a contributor to global pop culture and creative sectors.

The Ecosystem Behind the Success

These success stories emerge within a rapidly evolving support system in Saudi Arabia. According to a recent report issued by the Saudi Gazette, citing the Ministry of Commerce, the number of commercial registrations held by young Saudis of both genders has surpassed 474,000, accounting for 38% of all active commercial records in Saudi Arabia as of the end of Q2 2025, with sectors like app development, artificial intelligence, and e-gaming experiencing strong growth. 

Meanwhile, Public-private partnerships, accelerators, and training programs are increasingly filling gaps that once hindered startups, from regulatory navigation to hands-on mentorship and access to international networks. Initiatives aligned with Vision 2030 are systematically equipping young entrepreneurs with digital, managerial, and leadership skills necessary for competing globally. 

Yet, despite this momentum, challenges persist. Scaling internationally requires not just a strong product but understanding foreign regulatory landscapes, building global trust, and navigating funding ecosystems where competition is intense. For many founders, striking that balance between domestic roots and global ambition requires resilience, community support, and a willingness to iterate rapidly in the face of obstacles.

Navigating Challenges and Scaling Beyond Borders

For young Saudi founders, scaling globally entails confronting unique challenges:

• Access to capital beyond early-stage funding can be limited, pushing founders to forge strategic partnerships, attract international investors, or bootstrap until traction is proven.
• Talent acquisition in specialized fields like AI or biotech means competing with established hubs in the U.S., Europe, and Asia — urging Saudi startups to cultivate local talent while remaining globally competitive.
• Regulatory alignment across borders calls for flexible business models and legal frameworks that anticipate international compliance, something many young founders navigate with guidance from global advisers.

But these challenges are also catalysts. Many founders pivot their offerings based on local needs first — building products that resonate globally because they solve universally relevant problems.

Impact Beyond Business: Ecosystem and Society

The significance of these young founders extends beyond money and valuations. They serve as role models, encouraging peers to experiment with risk, reimagining career horizons beyond traditional paths. Their achievements encourage educational institutions to integrate entrepreneurship into curricula, and investors to view Saudi talent as globally competitive.

Moreover, youth-led ventures contribute to employment, inspire innovation clusters, and diversify economic narratives once dominated by oil and government contracts. Each success feeds a virtuous cycle: raising visibility, attracting capital, and reinforcing the message that talent — when harnessed — can compete on the world stage.

Conclusion: A Generation in Motion

The stories of AILA’s educational transformation, NABATIK’s environmental innovation, KAUST’s scientific pioneers, and Molham’s cultural entrepreneurship illustrate a broader shift. A generation once viewed as a domestic workforce is now a cohort of global changemakers disrupting industries, building scalable ventures, and representing Saudi Arabia in conversations about the future of innovation, sustainability, and culture.

Under 30, yet increasingly on the global stage, these founders embody what the next decade could bring: a Saudi entrepreneurial ecosystem that not only contributes to Vision 2030 but also reshapes global markets in meaningful, lasting ways.

Ghada Ismail

Smart money refers to an investment that delivers more than capital. It comes from investors who actively contribute to a startup’s success by offering expertise, strategic guidance, and access to valuable networks. These investors are often experienced founders, sector-focused venture capital firms, or angels who have scaled businesses before. Their involvement is hands-on, with a focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term financial returns.

Understanding Why Capital Source Matters

Fundraising is often approached as a race to secure the largest cheque, but the identity of the investor can shape a company’s direction just as much as the funding itself. Smart money turns fundraising into a partnership, where investors are aligned with the startup’s mission and growth trajectory, not just its valuation.

Learning from Proven Experience

One of the strongest advantages of smart money is access to real-world experience. Founders benefit from lessons learned across multiple ventures, helping them avoid common pitfalls. This support often includes:

• Advice on when to scale and when to pause
• Guidance on building leadership teams
• Early identification of financial or operational risks

These insights help founders make smarter decisions under pressure.

Unlocking High-Value Networks

Smart investors bring credibility and connections that can accelerate market entry and expansion. Through their networks, startups can:

• Reach strategic customers and enterprise clients
• Form partnerships faster
• Secure follow-on funding more efficiently

For early-stage companies, these introductions can be transformational.

Strengthening Strategy and Decision-Making

Beyond introductions, smart money improves how founders think. Value-adding investors challenge assumptions and sharpen strategic focus. This typically involves:

• Refining the business model and pricing strategy
• Stress-testing growth plans
• Encouraging sustainable, long-term growth

This guidance reduces the risk of premature or misaligned expansion.

Building Operational Discipline

As startups scale, operational structure becomes critical. Smart money often supports this transition by helping founders professionalize the business. Investor involvement may include:

• Improving governance and reporting standards
• Preparing for future funding rounds
• Supporting leadership development and internal processes

This foundation strengthens resilience and scalability.

Ensuring Alignment and Partnership

Smart money is only effective when there is strong alignment. Entrepreneurs must ensure investors share their vision, time horizon, and growth philosophy. A misaligned investor, even with experience, can slow progress and create unnecessary friction.

To Wrap Things Up…

Fundraising should be viewed as the start of a partnership, not just a financial transaction. Entrepreneurs who choose smart money gain more than funding. They gain insight, access, and long-term support that can shape the trajectory of their company. In today’s competitive startup environment, smart money often makes the difference between surviving and scaling successfully.

Ghada Ismail

Around the world, technology has become a catalyst for inclusion, transforming how people with disabilities engage with the economy, access education, and participate fully in society. From AI-powered communication tools to digital accessibility platforms and supported employment systems, innovation continues to dismantle barriers that once constrained opportunity.

In Saudi Arabia, this global wave of accessibility tech is gaining unique momentum. With Vision 2030 emphasizing social inclusion, human empowerment, and digital transformation, there’s a growing recognition that technology must work for all citizens, including the millions who live with disabilities. What was once mainly the responsibility of public institutions and NGOs is now increasingly being advanced by startups and mission-driven organizations harnessing technological solutions to improve the quality of life and economic participation for people with disabilities.

This article examines the evolving Saudi accessibility tech landscape, highlighting key innovations, market dynamics, real-world examples, regulatory and social context, and the road ahead.

Market Overview: Accessibility Innovation in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s accessibility ecosystem still sits at an early but accelerating stage. Traditional assistive solutions—like mobility aids and localized special education tools—are now converging with digital services, AI-driven platforms, and inclusion-focused solutions designed for broad scalability.

Across the spectrum:

• Digital accessibility is becoming a priority as more services move online.
• Assistive technology empowerment is expanding beyond hardware into software and training.
• Employment and skills programs are pairing digital tools with economic integration.

Despite this progress, challenges persist. These include limited local datasets for Arabic-native accessibility AI models, a scarcity of venture funding specifically earmarked for assistive technology, and ongoing gaps in awareness among private sector adopters. Yet Saudi Arabia’s digital-first trajectory, coupled with supportive government frameworks, creates fertile ground for further innovation.

Startup and Organization Profiles: Leaders in Accessibility

Advanced Access 

Advanced Access is a Saudi company dedicated to making digital platforms—websites, apps, and services—fully inclusive and usable by people of all abilities. Its core offering is digital accessibility auditing and consulting, combining automated and manual testing to identify barriers and guide organizations toward international accessibility standards. Beyond compliance, Advanced Access supports strategy development, training, and continuous improvement to ensure digital services are equitably accessible to users with visual, motor, cognitive, or sensory impairments. 

Importantly, Advanced Access aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of building a truly inclusive national digital ecosystem, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in digital accessibility. 

Tawasal Association for Assistive Technologies 

Tawasal is a pioneering association in Saudi Arabia focused on harnessing modern devices and software to improve everyday life for people with disabilities. Licensed by the National Center the Non-Profit Sector, the organization provides assistive devices, technology project support, and consultation tailored to individual needs and functional impairments. 

Rather than functioning solely as a product vendor, Tawasal acts as an integrator, connecting users with adaptive technologies (like communication devices or smart mobility aids), offering training, and facilitating community awareness about tech adoption. Its mission, “Better Technology, Easier Life,” reflects a holistic approach where technology meets real-world needs, especially among individuals who may struggle to access mainstream solutions otherwise.

Qaderoon Foundation 

While Qaderoon is a nonprofit rather than a classic tech startup, it plays a crucial role in the accessibility ecosystem by marrying digital inclusion with workforce integration. Based in Jeddah, Qaderoon focuses on rehabilitation, training, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, equipping them with the skills and tools necessary to thrive in the modern job market. 

Its services include job placement portals, professional training programs, and workplace readiness initiatives that emphasize not just employment but sustained participation and independence. Qaderoon acts as a bridge between talent and opportunity, ensuring that accessibility tech and inclusive employment go hand in hand. 

Technological Innovations in Accessibility

Across these initiatives, specific technological threads are emerging:

• Accessibility Standards and Digital Audits: Tools and processes that evaluate and fix digital barriers, ensuring compliance with accessibility guidelines and making online content usable for screen readers and adaptive interfaces.
• Assistive Devices and Software: Adaptive technologies—from communication aids to mobility supports—are central to Tawasal’s mission, enabling users to overcome physical or functional barriers in daily life. 
• Web and App Usability Enhancements: Modern UX design infused with accessibility considerations (contrast modes, keyboard navigation, alternative text protocols) helps digital services become universally accessible. 
• Employment Tech Platforms: Digital recruitment and training systems support economic inclusion, bridging gaps between talent and opportunity for people with disabilities. This model is central to Qaderoon’s operations. 

Although AI-specific tools for people with disabilities (e.g., sign language recognition or predictive text for communication disorders) are not yet prominently developed by these organizations, the foundation they are building—especially in accessible digital frameworks—sets the groundwork for future AI-driven solutions.

Social and Regulatory Environment

Saudi Arabia’s regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. National strategies and quality-of-life programs emphasize inclusion, accessibility, and technology empowerment. Digital platforms used by the government are increasingly expected to meet accessibility standards, creating demand for services like those offered by Advanced Access.

Meanwhile, nonprofits like Tawasal and Qaderoon benefit from government recognition and licensing, an indicator of institutional support for inclusive initiatives.

Social attitudes toward disability are also shifting. Where access was once framed primarily as a welfare issue, it is now increasingly positioned as a matter of civil inclusion and economic participation. This cultural change—amplified by awareness campaigns and visibility of people with disabilities in public life—creates a more fertile environment for accessibility innovation.

Future Outlook: Growth Ahead

Looking forward, Saudi Arabia’s accessibility tech sector is poised for expansion in several key directions:

• AI-Driven Accessibility Tools: As data ecosystems grow, there’s potential for AI models tailored to assistive use cases (e.g., Arabic-language speech recognition or predictive text for alternative communication).
• Accessible Government Services: With digital transformation underway across the public sector, accessibility compliance could become a basic requirement, boosting demand for auditing and consulting services.
• Inclusive Employment Platforms: Digital platforms linking people with disabilities to jobs—and supporting employers in creating accessible work environments—could proliferate alongside Saudi labor reforms.
• Cross-Sector Innovation: Integrations between healthtech, smart mobility, and digital inclusion promise hybrid solutions that enhance independent living.

To sustain this momentum, collaboration will be key. Startups, nonprofits, government agencies, tech giants, and investors must work together—sharing data, co-developing solutions, and scaling what works.

Conclusion

Technology’s potential to empower people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia is no longer theoretical; it is tangible, actionable, and growing. Organizations like Advanced Access, Tawasal, and Qaderoon demonstrate how digital inclusion can intersect with real-world impact, from accessible websites to assistive technologies and inclusive employment.

By continuing to invest in technology built with and for people with disabilities, Saudi Arabia can not only close persistent gaps in accessibility but also unlock new avenues for dignity, independence, and participation for all.

Noha Gad

The e-commerce sector in Saudi Arabia has settled into a stable, high-growth era, driven by increased opportunities for e-commerce players and a continued rise in consumer preference for innovative new payment methods, ranging from Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to crypto and digital wallets. According to the latest report released by the Ministry of Commerce, the e-commerce sector experienced a 5% increase in existing registrations during the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, reaching 41,816 registrations, compared with 39,769 in Q3-24. Another report published by Modor Intelligent indicated that the e-commerce market size in Saudi Arabia reached $27.9 billion in 2025, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% between 2026 and 2031. The re-commerce sector emerged rapidly across the Kingdom, transforming the way consumers buy and sell pre-owned goods. Fueled by a large, connected youth population and a booming e-commerce ecosystem, buying and selling pre-owned goods through specialized applications and online platforms moved from a niche practice to a mainstream economic activity. 

Digital marketplaces are redefining value for Saudi consumers, offering access to high-quality secondhand electronics, fashion, furniture, vehicles, and real estate units with unprecedented convenience and security. This tech-driven sector not only unlocks significant economic value for individuals and entrepreneurs but also aligns with national priorities by promoting a more circular economy and sustainable consumption patterns in alignment with Vision 2030.

Resale in Saudi Arabia primarily refers to the informal buying and selling of pre-owned goods through digital platforms, such as Haraj, Soum, Kayishha, Syarah, Dubizzle, and OpenSooq, where transactions rely on personal trust, direct negotiation, and minimal platform intervention. This model dominates for everyday items, such as used furniture, cars, and mid-range fashion, often lacking formal quality checks or warranties.

The re-commerce market in Saudi Arabia is expected to grow annually by 15.8% to record $1.75 billion in 2025. According to a recent report published by ResearchAndMarkets, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% between 2025 and 2029 to reach $2.88 billion by the end of 2029. This growth will be fueled by a mix of economic drivers, policy support, and digital infrastructure and payment readiness. 

Rising living costs amid aspirational spending made pre-owned goods a practical choice for electronics, fashion, and appliances, especially as new luxury items strain budgets for the Kingdom's young urban professionals. This shift is evident in the rapid growth of electronics trade-ins and fashion resale, where affordability meets desire without compromising perceived quality. Additionally, re-commerce aligns perfectly with Vision 2030’s circular economy targets by extending product lifecycles, appealing to a rising eco-conscious demographic that views resale as both sustainable and patriotic.

High smartphone penetration, advanced logistics, and widespread digital wallets enabled key players in the Saudi market to offer seamless transactions. Trust mechanisms such as escrow, buyer protection, and cash-on-delivery (COD) options bridge cultural preferences for secure deals. This infrastructure, combined with social media's influence, accelerates peer-to-peer (P2P) and B2C models, making Saudi Arabia a frontrunner in regional re-commerce maturity.

Saudis have long embraced resale through trusted informal channels, but digital platforms now focus on structure, quality assurance, and scale to evolve the market.

 

Key players in the Saudi market

• Haraj: Established in 2007, Haraj is a Saudi marketplace for all goods, cars, real estate, and electronics. It initially focused on cars, then moved to real estate, and ended up being the one-stop shop for all classifieds in the Kingdom. Receiving over half a million visitors daily, Haraj applies the world's latest technologies at the back-end to provide developers with a great environment to learn and empower entrepreneurs to build a strong base before expanding the market.
• Soum: One of the leading marketplaces for secondhand electronics in Saudi Arabia that enables users to buy, sell, and discover various products, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, cameras, headphones, and more. This first-of-its-kind unified national application enables both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals to sell in its marketplace, leveraging its wide network that covers over 150 Saudi cities.
• Kayishha: A reliable car buying company in Saudi Arabia that helps car sellers sell their used cars in a hassle-free manner, regardless of their make, model, age, or condition. Using a safe and transparent car-selling process, Kayishha enables sellers to sell their cars in just 30 minutes.
• OpenSooq: The leading mobile-first classifieds marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that allows users to buy, sell, and trade a wide variety of goods and services. It enables user-to-user real-time chat and allows each user to build their own profile.

Saudi consumer engagement with the resale market is a significant and growing trend, primarily driven by a generational shift where younger buyers prioritize value and sustainability over pristine newness. Tech-savvy youth are the primary adopters of digital resale platforms, using them for value-driven purchases and to generate side income. In the context of high costs for new vehicles, electronics, and branded goods, the resale market serves as a strategic channel for cost-conscious consumers to access quality products. However, quality and counterfeiting fears persist, particularly for fashion and tech. 

The resale market in the Kingdom faces several distinct challenges that affect its scalability, trust, and user experience. Major challenges include:

• Lack of standardization: In open-market platforms, product grading, condition descriptions, and imagery are not standardized, leading to buyer-seller disputes and hesitation.
• Counterfeit and misrepresented goods: Particularly in high-value segments like luxury fashion, electronics, and automotive parts, verifying authenticity and accurate condition descriptions remains a significant hurdle.
• Seller accountability: Ensuring reliable seller behavior, honest representation, and safe transaction completion can be difficult on P2P platforms without robust mediation systems.
• Returns and refunds complexity: Establishing fair and clear return policies for used items is a persistent operational and customer service challenge.
• Consumer protection gaps: The legal framework for disputes in private online sales is less clear than for registered e-commerce businesses, potentially leaving buyers and sellers vulnerable.

Additionally, challenges center on building systematic trust, streamlining complex operations, and changing deep-seated consumer habits. Addressing these issues through technology, standardized services, and clear regulations is instrumental for the Saudi resale market to mature from a popular informal exchange into a structured, high-growth segment of the retail economy.

Finally, Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce landscape is advancing on two dynamic fronts: the mature expansion of traditional e-commerce and the rapid emergence of re-commerce. Together, they are fundamentally reshaping the Kingdom’s retail economy, driven by digital adoption, youthful demographics, and alignment with Vision 2030's economic diversification and sustainability goals. The re-commerce sector evolved from informal P2P trading into a structured, high-potential market projected for significant growth. Digital marketplaces are driving this shift, moving the market toward greater convenience, trust, and scale. As these marketplaces continue to innovate and integrate stronger trust mechanisms, they will not only capture greater market share but also redefine sustainable consumption for a generation.

Ghada Ismail

In a competitive digital landscape, grabbing attention and keeping users engaged is tougher than ever. Traditional marketing tactics alone often fall short in capturing long-term interest. This is where gamification—the practice of applying game mechanics to non-game experiences—comes in. By making interactions fun, interactive, and rewarding, gamification transforms ordinary campaigns into experiences that motivate, engage, and create loyalty.

What is Gamification?

Gamification involves integrating elements like points, badges, levels, challenges, leaderboards, and rewards into marketing, apps, or digital platforms. It leverages human psychology by tapping into natural drivers such as achievement, progress, recognition, and competition. When users feel motivated by these triggers, they are more likely to take the actions you want as a business owner, including signing up, sharing content, purchasing, or returning regularly. In short, gamification is about making engagement both enjoyable and purposeful.

1. Understand Your Audience

Not all users respond to the same incentives. Some are motivated by competition and social recognition, while others seek personal achievement, mastery, or tangible rewards. Startups need to research and segment their audience to understand these motivations. By aligning gamification mechanics with user preferences, you create experiences that feel meaningful rather than gimmicky, increasing the likelihood of consistent engagement.

2. Set Clear Objectives

Gamification should be integrated into a broader marketing strategy, not treated as a standalone tactic. Every gamified element should tie back to specific business goals. For example, if your aim is to grow your email list, the gamification should reward sign-ups or referrals. If your goal is repeat purchases, points, or progress tracking tied to buying behavior can encourage loyalty. Clearly defined objectives also allow you to measure success, adjust strategies, and ensure your gamification delivers tangible results.

3. Incorporate Game Mechanics Thoughtfully

Choosing the right mechanics is essential. Gamification tools like points, badges, levels, challenges, leaderboards, and progress bars can all enhance engagement, but only if they are implemented thoughtfully. Points and rewards incentivize specific actions, while badges and levels recognize achievement and create a sense of progress. Leaderboards foster healthy competition, challenges encourage ongoing interaction, and progress bars visually track advancement, keeping users motivated and invested over time.

4. Make It Social and Shareable

Humans are inherently social creatures, and gamification thrives on social interaction. When users can share achievements, invite friends, or compete with peers, engagement naturally increases. Social features also amplify the reach of your campaigns, turning users into organic promoters of your brand. Encouraging friendly competition or cooperative challenges can transform a passive marketing experience into an interactive, community-driven journey.

5. Tie Rewards to Real Value

Rewards are only effective when they feel worthwhile. They don’t always need to be financial; recognition, early access, exclusive content, or digital perks can be equally compelling. The key is that rewards align with user interests and reinforce desired behaviors. When users perceive genuine value in the rewards, they are more likely to participate and remain engaged.

6. Test, Measure, and Iterate

Gamification is not one-size-fits-all. Continuous monitoring, testing, and refinement are essential to maintain effectiveness. Startups should track engagement metrics, experiment with different mechanics, and respond to user feedback. Iteration ensures that gamified experiences evolve alongside user behavior and market trends, keeping your marketing strategy relevant and impactful.

Wrapping Things Up…

Gamification can transform traditional marketing into interactive, engaging experiences that drive meaningful actions and foster loyalty. For startups, it offers a cost-effective way to increase user engagement, encourage repeat interactions, and differentiate your brand. By focusing on audience motivations, setting clear goals, thoughtfully implementing game mechanics, creating social interactions, providing meaningful rewards, and iterating based on feedback, startups can use gamification to deliver campaigns that are both fun and results-driven.

Ghada Ismail

Saudi Arabia’s push to diversify its economy under Vision 2030 has brought several sectors into sharp focus, but few are as strategically significant as biotechnology. Once viewed largely as a research-driven niche, biotech has now become a national priority—one that sits at the intersection of healthcare resilience, economic diversification, food security, and advanced manufacturing. At the heart of this shift is a growing cohort of startups working to translate scientific research into scalable, locally relevant solutions.

While Saudi Arabia’s biotech startup ecosystem remains relatively young compared to established global hubs, momentum is building quickly. Government-backed accelerators, evolving regulatory frameworks, and stronger collaboration between academia, hospitals, and industry are laying the foundations for a homegrown life sciences sector with regional—and potentially global—reach.

Why Biotech Matters to Saudi Arabia

Biotechnology holds a unique position in Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic planning. Beyond innovation, it addresses structural national challenges. The Kingdom faces a high prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inherited disorders, while remaining heavily dependent on imported pharmaceuticals and biologics—an exposure highlighted during recent global supply chain disruptions.

In response, Saudi Arabia launched its National Biotechnology Strategy in January 2024, aiming to localize biopharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen research and development capabilities, and attract global partnerships. Closely aligned with Vision 2030, the strategy supports broader goals, including knowledge transfer, high-value job creation, and non-oil GDP growth.

Startups play a central role within this framework. Unlike large pharmaceutical companies, early-stage ventures are inherently agile, able to experiment with novel technologies and address niche or underserved health needs. In Saudi Arabia, many are focusing on solutions tailored to regional disease profiles, giving them both local relevance and long-term competitive potential.

The Rise of Saudi Biotech Startups

Although still limited in number, Saudi biotech startups are expanding rapidly in scope, spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, genomics, regenerative medicine, and antimicrobial innovation. Many have emerged from university research environments or were founded by Saudi scientists returning from abroad with international experience.

One of the most closely watched areas is diabetes innovation, driven by the Kingdom’s high disease prevalence and the strategic need to localize essential treatments. Plansulin, a Riyadh-based startup founded in 2020, is developing plant-based insulin as an alternative to conventional biologics manufacturing. By using plants as biofactories, the company aims to reduce production costs, lower environmental impact, and improve the sustainability of insulin supply. Plansulin is part of the inaugural cohort of startups selected for the Ministry of Health’s Biotech Accelerator, reflecting its alignment with national healthcare and innovation priorities.

Another startup attracting attention is cellNUA, which operates at the intersection of nanomedicine and immunotherapy. The Saudi arm of the Ireland-based company draws inspiration from natural immune mechanisms—particularly those found in honeybees—to inform its therapeutic development. Through its Beemar platform, cellNUA explores comparative genomics and bio-inspired nanomolecules to develop next-generation vaccines, antivirals, and immune-modulating therapies. While still in early development stages, the company exemplifies the type of science-driven innovation policymakers are keen to nurture.

Vaccine development is also gaining traction. SAGEbio is working on next-generation vaccine and therapeutic protein platforms designed to improve efficacy and scalability. Its novel antigen platform, co-developed with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), aims to enhance vaccine manufacturing and delivery. The startup’s lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate is advancing toward Phase 1 clinical trials, highlighting efforts to build local capabilities for future pandemic preparedness.

Genomics and Precision Medicine Take Center Stage

Genomics has emerged as one of Saudi Arabia’s most promising biotech verticals, supported by initiatives such as the Saudi Genome Program, which is building one of the region’s largest population-specific genetic databases. This infrastructure is creating fertile ground for startups focused on precision diagnostics and personalized medicine.

Novo Genomics, founded in 2022, is one such company. Based in Riyadh, it specializes in advanced genetic diagnostics, including circulating tumor DNA testing and polygenic risk scoring tailored to Saudi and Middle Eastern populations. By grounding its technology in local genomic data, Novo Genomics addresses a key limitation of imported diagnostic tools that are often trained on non-representative datasets.

Similarly, NanoPalm is developing advanced delivery technologies, including lipid nanoparticle systems that improve the effectiveness of genetic and RNA-based therapies. As global biotech increasingly shifts toward gene-based treatments, delivery mechanisms have become as critical as the therapies themselves, making NanoPalm’s focus particularly timely.

Early detection is another growing focus. KaRama Bio is working on early-stage disease detection technologies, reflecting a broader shift toward preventive and predictive healthcare. Early diagnosis remains one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes, particularly in oncology and chronic disease management.

Regenerative Medicine and Novel Therapeutics

Beyond diagnostics, Saudi biotech startups are also exploring regenerative medicine and alternative therapeutic approaches. MammoStem focuses on stem cell-based solutions aimed at tissue regeneration and recovery, particularly following surgical or chronic conditions. While regenerative medicine is complex and heavily regulated, it holds significant long-term potential as populations age and demand for restorative therapies increases.

Antimicrobial resistance represents another strategic frontier. With antibiotic resistance widely recognized as a global health threat, PhageTech is developing bacteriophage-based solutions as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Although phage therapy remains relatively niche, renewed global interest suggests that local innovation in this space could position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader.

Building the Ecosystem: Accelerators and Institutions

Biotech startups do not operate in isolation, and Saudi Arabia has begun addressing one of the sector’s biggest barriers: ecosystem support. A major milestone was the launch of the Kingdom’s first dedicated Biotech Accelerator by the Ministry of Health in partnership with global life sciences incubator BioLabs. Announced at the BIO International Convention, the accelerator provides mentorship, lab access, commercialization guidance, and global networking opportunities.

Earlier-stage support has also come from the Badir Biotechnology Incubator, under King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), which has played a foundational role in translating research into viable biotech companies through funding, technical support, and industry connections.

Complementing these initiatives, Dammam Valley launched its Biotech Startups Programme to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. Developed in partnership with Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Saudi Aramco, multiple ministries, the Future Investment Initiative Institute, and Sadara Petrochemical Company, the program supports startup creation, technology localization, and access to investment aligned with the National Biotechnology Strategy.

On the manufacturing front, Saudi Biotechnology Manufacturing Company (SaudiBio) is laying the groundwork for scalable biopharmaceutical production. The company operates the Kingdom’s first GMP-certified sterile fill-and-finish facility for biologics, including insulin and biosimilars, enabling startups to transition from lab-scale innovation to commercial readiness.

Private capital is also beginning to play a larger role. Founded in 2024, Biotech Innovations Co (BIC) represents a new wave of private-sector investment into biologics, vaccines, and gene therapy R&D, helping anchor startups within a broader industrial value chain.

Regulatory Progress and Remaining Challenges

Despite rapid progress, Saudi Arabia’s biotech ecosystem still faces structural challenges. Biotechnology is capital-intensive, with long development timelines and complex regulatory requirements. Access to late-stage funding, particularly for clinical trials, remains limited, and navigating approvals can be challenging for first-time founders. Talent availability is another constraint, as advanced biotech R&D requires specialized expertise that is still developing locally.

These challenges, however, are not unique to Saudi Arabia. What distinguishes the Kingdom is the scale of state commitment to addressing them through coordinated policy, funding, and international collaboration.

Looking Ahead: From Emerging Market to Regional Hub

Saudi Arabia’s biotech startup scene may still be emerging, but its trajectory is clear. With strong government backing, growing private-sector involvement, and a focus on locally relevant health challenges, the Kingdom is laying the foundations for a sustainable life sciences economy.

Over the next decade, success will depend on startups’ ability to scale, attract long-term investment, and integrate into global biotech value chains. If these conditions are met, Saudi Arabia could evolve from a consumer of biotechnology into a regional—and eventually global—contributor to life sciences innovation.

In that sense, biotech startups represent more than another Vision 2030 initiative. They signal a deeper shift in how the Kingdom approaches health, science, and economic resilience.

Noha Gad

Emerging technologies are reshaping the future of agriculture and farming in the Middle East. Advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, and IoT-powered sensors, are pivotal in transforming crop scanning speeds and harvest precision, addressing challenges including water scarcity, labor shortages, and arid conditions. In Saudi Arabia, autonomous farming robots are used to sow, fertilize, and apply pesticides in a single pass, enabling round-the-clock operations while cutting labor costs, aligning with Vision 2030's push for innovation.

Farming in the Kingdom is becoming more efficient and sustainable than ever before, thanks to AI-powered technologies. For instance, predictive systems could help farmers avert up to 30% of crop losses due to pests and disease before an outbreak goes out of control, according to a report released by Tanmeya Capital. In high-tech farms, AI-powered robots have increased harvesting efficiency by 50% and broader AI-driven automation has reduced labor costs by up to 35%, addressing the Kingdom’s labor shortages and rising operational expenses.

The agricultural autonomous robots market in Saudi Arabia is seeing significant growth, triggered by the urgent need for enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. According to recent estimates released by Mobility Foresight, one of the global market research firms specializing in mobility and tech domains, the market size is valued at nearly $100 million and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 20% over the next five years. In 2028, the Saudi market is anticipated to hit $250 million, driven by the integration of AI and machine learning into agricultural robots, which will ultimately enhance their capabilities, making them indispensable for modern farming operations. 

This growth will be fueled by increasing investments in agricultural technology (agri-tech), and the adoption of innovative farming practices will play a vital role in ensuring food security and economic diversification.

The increasing amount of data generated by autonomous systems paves the way for developing analytics platforms that help farmers make informed decisions based on real-time data. Additionally, supporting startups and companies that focus on innovative solutions in the agri-tech space can yield high returns, especially those that integrate robotics and automation into farming practices.

How autonomous robots revolutionize agriculture and farming in Saudi Arabia

Various types of autonomous robots transform agriculture and farming in Saudi Arabia. For example, drones are used for aerial monitoring, crop spraying, and data collection, while harvesting robots can identify ripe crops and harvest them with precision. IoT-powered sensors can also monitor soil health and nutrient levels, providing valuable data for farmers. Additionally, automated tractors can carry out planting, tilling, and other field operations without human intervention. The use of autonomous robots in agriculture is expected to revolutionize traditional farming methods, leading to sustainable practices, improved crop management, and higher productivity. 

One of the key benefits of integrating smart robotics in agriculture is that it targets labor-intensive tasks, like planting, harvesting, and monitoring, using AI, sensors, and drones to enhance precision in arid conditions. For planting automation, autonomous robots plant seeds at optimal depth and spacing, applying fertilizers and pesticides precisely during sowing, which reduces waste and frees farmers for strategic tasks. They operate 24/7 and adapt to soil data for uniform crop establishment, especially vital in Saudi Arabia's vast farmlands. Robotic harvesters use high-precision visual sensors to identify ripe fruit, navigate trees, and pick without damage, operating continuously to increase output. 

Earlier this year, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) developed a new robotic system designed to automate date palm harvesting, aiming to disrupt the agriculture industry and position Saudi Arabia as a leader in agriculture innovation.  The project, headed by KAUST Assistant Prof. Shinkyu Park, focused on automating critical tasks in date palm cultivation, including harvesting, pollination, and tree maintenance. By integrating robotics with AI, the project is expected to improve efficiency and deliver higher yields of more nutritious dates, fulfilling the need to modernize and automate traditional practices in the date palm industry in the Kingdom.

Crop monitoring drones with cameras and sensors fly over fields to detect pests, diseases, and health issues early, enabling rapid interventions and minimizing losses. Meanwhile, autonomous ground robots are used to analyze soil for nutrients, pH, and moisture, recommending precise fertilizer applications to maximize yields without excess. This data-driven approach enhances soil health in the long term, reducing costs and promoting efficient resource use in Saudi farms.

For Saudi farmers, agricultural robotics can deliver substantial benefits by tackling core challenges, such as water scarcity, labor shortages, and low productivity in arid environments, ultimately advancing food security under Vision 2030. This includes:

• Reducing costs and labor expenses by automating repetitive tasks.
• Conserving water by utilizing precision irrigation systems from robots to deliver water where needed.
• Improving yields through AI-powered monitoring and harvesting.
• Reducing chemical runoff through targeted spraying, which contributes to protecting soil and biodiversity while complying with the Saudi's green initiatives. 

Humans and agricultural robotics

The transition from traditional farming to smart agriculture demands a fundamental shift in the skills base, creating both a challenge of displacement and an unprecedented opportunity for new, high-value employment. 

The automation of repetitive, labor-intensive tasks will inevitably reduce demand for low-skilled seasonal labor. While addressing labor shortages, this shift creates a pressing social and economic imperative: the need for large-scale reskilling and upskilling of the existing agricultural workforce. Government, tech providers, and institutions could offer certified, hands-on training modules, ensuring the current farming community has the required digital literacy to deal with innovations such as tablet-based control systems, dashboards, and software platforms. Therefore, new high-tech agri-tech professions will emerge, redefining what it means to work in agriculture. The sector will no longer employ farmers, but a suite of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals, data analysts, drone operators, agronomy pilots, agricultural robot fleet managers, and agri-tech support technicians.

Finally, the landscape of agricultural autonomous robots in Saudi Arabia is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, driven by a combination of local startups and established global players who develop innovative solutions tailored to the Kingdom’s unique agricultural challenges. By focusing on advanced technologies, like AI, machine learning, and robotics, these companies play a crucial role in creating efficient systems for harvesting, monitoring, and managing crops.

The successful integration of autonomous farming in Saudi Arabia will be measured not only in yield increases and water savings but also in its transition for the workforce. By investing heavily in reskilling programs for today's farmers, the Kingdom can ensure its agricultural revolution builds human capital alongside technological capital. 

Ghada Ismail

For years, the startup world celebrated unicorns—private companies valued at more than $1 billion—as the ultimate success story. Over time, valuations grew, capital became more available, and expectations shifted. This gave rise to decacorns, companies worth over $10 billion.

Now, a much rarer group sits at the very top: hectocorns.

A hectocorn is a company valued at $100 billion or more. The word comes from “hecto,” meaning one hundred, and it describes businesses that have reached an extraordinary level of size and influence. These companies are not just growing fast; they are powerful enough to shape markets and industries.

How rare are hectocorns?

Hectocorns are extremely rare. While there are hundreds of unicorns around the world, only a small number of companies ever reach a $100 billion valuation.

Most hectocorns are global giants that dominate their sectors. Examples often include Apple, Microsoft, Saudi Aramco, Amazon, and Nvidia. Their valuations are so large that they are sometimes compared to the economies of entire countries.

What makes a hectocorn different?

The difference between a $10 billion company and a $100 billion company is not just an extra zero. Hectocorns usually share a few clear characteristics.

They tend to:

• Operate at a global scale, not just in one market
• Serve hundreds of millions, or even billions, of users
• Offer products or services that people and businesses rely on every day

At this level, competition is no longer only about building a better product. It becomes about managing scale, regulations, supply chains, and long-term strategy.

Are there private hectocorns?

Most hectocorns are public companies, meaning they are listed on stock exchanges. Staying private while reaching a $100 billion valuation is very rare.

To do this, a company would need to:

• Dominate a very large global market
• Earn exceptional trust from investors
• Maintain strong growth without public market support

Companies like ByteDance are often mentioned as rare private firms that come close, depending on market conditions. Still, private hectocorns are the exception, not the rule.

Will we see more hectocorns?

As technology, artificial intelligence, and emerging markets continue to grow, more hectocorns will likely appear, but slowly, as reaching a $100 billion valuation requires:

• Long-term resilience
• Global relevance
• The ability to survive multiple economic cycles

Wrapping Things Up…

In simple terms, hectocorns represent the very top of the global business pyramid. They are not defined by rapid growth alone, but by long-term scale, resilience, and influence. While unicorns capture attention and decacorns signal ambition, hectocorns show what happens when a company becomes deeply embedded in the global economy. For most founders, reaching this level is not the goal, but understanding how hectocorns are built helps clarify where real power, value, and impact ultimately concentrate.

Noha Gad

In an era where technological disruption accelerates at remarkable speeds, businesses worldwide are at a crossroads: adapt or fail. Artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a transformative force reshaping the future of industries, economies, and daily operations.

AI-first business models redefine the way companies operate, compete, and scale by embedding AI at the core of their DNA rather than as a helping tool. These models treat AI as the foundational engine driving innovation, decision-making, and customer value in key sectors such as fintech and startups. Traditional businesses often integrate AI into outdated processes, yielding marginal gains, while AI-first pioneers redesign everything around intelligent systems for exponential advantages. This shift enables hyper-personalization, predictive analytics, and autonomous operations that thrive on data abundance.

How do AI-first business models work?

AI-first business models embed AI as the core engine for operations, decision-making, and growth, enabling radical automation, hyper-personalization, real-time insights, and scalable efficiency through autonomous agents and data-driven feedback loops, fundamentally redesigning organizational structures and workflows around intelligent systems rather than just adding AI as a feature. 

Unlike traditional AI-enhanced approaches, these models reimagine processes from the ground up, prioritizing data flows, automation, and machine learning as core infrastructure to ensure seamless scalability and adaptability in fast-evolving markets. 

Compared to AI-augmented models, AI-first models make intelligence proactive and pervasive, influencing every layer from product development to customer engagement. These approaches treat data as the primary asset for real-time analytics and predictive capabilities, fostering continuous learning loops without heavy human intervention.

Main features 

AI-first business models are defined by characteristics that prioritize intelligence as the central pillar, enabling unprecedented efficiency, adaptability, and value creation across operations. Key features include:

• Automation. AI handles end-to-end workflows autonomously, from transaction processing to compliance checks, reducing human involvement in major processes. For instance, in wealth management, AI-first platforms dynamically rebalance portfolios based on real-time market data and user life events.
• Data-based decisions. Real-time analytics from vast datasets power predictive insights, replacing intuition with probability-based forecasting for agile market responses.
• Hyper-personalization. AI-first models can help companies and startups provide tailored experiences by analyzing individual behaviors, preferences, and contexts to anticipate needs proactively. For example, banking applications deploy conversational AI agents to answer queries and execute actions, such as freezing cards or updating addresses via biometrics, enhancing user trust and retention.
• Scalable infrastructure: Cloud-native AI supports rapid growth and continuous model refinement.

How AI-first models could support startups’ businesses

Along with enhancing decision-making processes and providing hyper-personalized products, AI-first models help startups enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks, such as customer support via chatbots or inventory optimization. AI-first startups command investor attention due to their proven scalability, data moats, and rapid revenue trajectories. This advantage arises from AI's ability to demonstrate measurable revenue on investment (ROI) quickly, such as predictive models forecasting user acquisition costs.

For product innovation, accelerated prototyping via AI tools eliminates time-to-market from months to weeks and allows startups to test minimum viable products (MVPs) with real user data. AI-first models can also contribute to talent and team optimization since AI handles hiring screening, skill matching, and performance analytics.

AI-first startups can improve their risk mitigation strategies by utilizing AI to forecast market risks, regulatory hurdles, or supply disruptions early.

In summary, the rise of AI-first business models represents a fundamental architectural shift, not a mere technological upgrade. It transforms AI from a tool that supports business into the foundational engine that defines it. For startups and established companies alike, this approach unlocks exponential advantages through radical automation, hyper-personalization, and predictive, data-driven decision-making. 

Ghada Ismail

In the first article, we explored the API Economy as a global shift, but understanding the concept is only the beginning. The real story emerges when we look at how the API Economy takes shape on the ground, inside actual markets.

When a user taps “pay,” links a bank account, or signs into a digital wallet, the experience looks simple. But behind every smooth tap lies a hidden world: API gateways, microservices, integration layers, open-banking rails, and banking-as-a-service components working in perfect coordination. While global conversations highlight Stripe, PayPal, and social media APIs, Saudi Arabia’s reality is driven by a growing network of local firms quietly building the financial infrastructure of the future.

This article maps the local ecosystem, the players powering it, how the architecture works, and why Saudi Arabia’s API economy is becoming a strategic backbone for the region.

Why the API Economy Is Accelerating in Saudi Arabia

The foundations of Saudi Arabia’s API ecosystem are being shaped by three intersecting forces:

1. Regulatory clarity and open banking readiness.
Saudi regulators and banks have laid down frameworks that encourage standardized APIs, account-data access, and safe third-party integrations. This clarity reduces friction for both fintechs and API providers.

2. Rapid consumer adoption of digital payments.
With mobile wallets, tap-to-pay, and online banking becoming mainstream, demand for stable, scalable backend infrastructure has never been higher.

3. The need for speed, cost efficiency, and modular development.
Instead of reinventing infrastructure, fintechs can now assemble it — using APIs for payments, identity, compliance, or card issuance. This modularity is what allows Saudi fintechs to launch fast and scale without massive upfront investment.

Together, these factors have created the conditions for a strong local market of API builders, integrators, and specialized fintech-infrastructure companies.

Who Is Building Saudi Arabia’s API Infrastructure?

Saudi’s API ecosystem isn’t driven by one type of company — it’s a layered network of infrastructure specialists. Below are the key categories and the local firms shaping each layer.

1. Microservices, Cloud & Integration Firms: SkyTech Digital, AusafTech, Tech Polaris

These companies form the technical backbone that many fintechs rely on:

SkyTech Digital

• Designs microservices architectures and cloud-native applications.
• Helps businesses migrate from legacy or monolithic systems to modular, API-driven backends.
• For fintechs, this means faster performance, better scalability, and easier maintenance.

AusafTech

• Specializes in full-stack API integration — from advisory to testing to long-term maintenance.
• Connects systems to payment gateways, CRMs, cloud platforms, and messaging services.
• Plays a crucial role when fintechs need multiple integrations handled reliably.

Tech Polaris

• Offers API development and integration support for businesses building modular services.
• Represents the growing demand for API-first engineering firms in the Kingdom.

These firms make fintech architecture possible: without microservices, cloud-native environments, or integration scaffolding, fintech products simply wouldn’t scale.

2. Fintech-Facing API Platforms: Open Banking, Payments, Cards & Payouts

Beyond general integration, Saudi fintechs rely on API-first firms that offer ready-made financial infrastructure.

Open banking aggregators (e.g., Lean Technologies, SingleView)

• Provide account-data APIs, payment initiation, and bank connectivity.
• Let fintechs fetch transaction data, verify accounts, or build budgeting tools without separate bank integrations.

Banking-as-a-Service & card-issuing platforms (e.g., NymCard)

• Enable virtual cards, user payouts, financing modules, and program management — all via APIs.
• Allow fintechs to launch financial services without building rails from scratch.

Payment service providers and merchant platforms (e.g., Geidea)

• Offer robust payment APIs, checkout solutions, and payment links.
• Let marketplaces, apps, and online merchants embed payments instantly.

When assembled together, these API components create a “plug-and-play fintech stack” — one that allows startups to focus on the product rather than the plumbing.

How These Layers Work Together: A Realistic Saudi Fintech Stack

To understand how this ecosystem behaves in practice, imagine a Saudi fintech launching a digital wallet, BNPL service, or SME-payments tool:

• Backend architecture: A firm like SkyTech builds the cloud-native, microservices-based foundation.
• Payment processing: The fintech integrates Geidea’s payment APIs.
• Cards and payouts: They plug into NymCard’s card-issuing or payout APIs.
• Bank-account connectivity: Lean Technologies or SingleView enables account linking and open-banking flows.
• Additional integrations: AusafTech manages CRM, SMS, cloud services, and other connections.

The result?
A fully operational fintech product built in months — not years — thanks to a layered ecosystem of specialized API providers.

This is the API Economy made real.

Why Local Firms Matter More Than Ever

While global API giants dominate headlines, Saudi fintechs increasingly depend on regional infrastructure firms — for reasons that are both practical and strategic:

• Regulatory alignment: Local providers are built for SAMA compliance and Saudi banking rules.
• Localization: They understand cultural norms, payment behaviors, and Arabic-language user journeys.
• Speed of integration: Proximity enables faster iteration and customization.
• Resilience: Relying only on global providers increases risk; a diverse regional stack is more stable.

These companies are not outsourced vendors; they are ecosystem enablers building national infrastructure.

Implications for Founders, Investors, and Policymakers

For startups and founders:

• APIs significantly reduce time-to-market.
• Modular infrastructure lets teams focus on UX and differentiation.
• Choosing the right integration partners becomes a strategic decision.

For investors:

• API providers are long-term infrastructure bets.
• Their value compounds as the fintech market expands.

For regulators:

• Clear API standards and sandboxes accelerate innovation.
• Supporting local API firms strengthens national digital sovereignty.

Conclusion: Saudi Arabia’s API Economy Has Entered Its Infrastructure Phase

If the first article explained what the API Economy is, this article explains how it is being built in Saudi Arabia — and by whom.

The Kingdom’s fintech growth is not powered solely by consumer-facing apps, but by the invisible architecture behind them: APIs, microservices, integration frameworks, open-banking rails, card-issuing platforms, and PSP gateways. Companies like SkyTech Digital, AusafTech, Tech Polaris, Geidea, NymCard, Lean Technologies, and SingleView are quietly building the rails that make everything possible.

The real story of Saudi fintech is not just about innovation on the surface.
It’s about the infrastructure underneath — reliable, compliant, modular, and fast-evolving.

And as Saudi Arabia accelerates toward a fully digital economy, those who understand and invest in this infrastructure will be shaping not just apps, but the future of finance across the region.

Ghada Ismail 

In the startup world, growth and scaling are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference can save founders time, money, and headaches, and help attract investors who care about leverage and efficiency.

Growth: Getting Bigger

Growing means increasing revenue while increasing resources roughly in proportion. More customers require more support. More features require more engineers. Revenue rises, but so do costs, headcount, and operational complexity. Growth is usually linear: a 40% revenue increase often comes with roughly 40% more expenses.

For early-stage startups, growth is necessary. You hire people to build the product, test features, and serve clients. You experiment with pricing, marketing, and distribution. It’s hands-on, manual, and resource-intensive, and that’s fine at this stage.

Scaling: Getting More Efficient

Scaling means increasing revenue significantly without a matching rise in costs. In other words: more output with minimal additional input. While growth is linear, scaling is exponential.

Scaling depends on leverage: repeatable processes, automation, and systems that allow serving more customers without proportionally increasing overhead. This is why tech and digital startups often scale faster: software, platforms, and automated processes can handle volume at near-zero marginal cost.

In short: growth makes your startup bigger; scaling makes it more efficient.

When to Grow vs When to Scale

Most startups should grow first, scale later.

Grow when:

• You’re building the product and learning from early users
• Your processes are manual or experimental
• You’re testing pricing, positioning, or marketing channels

Growth at this stage is about survival, validation, and assembling the machine.

Scale when:

• You have product-market fit and repeatable demand
• Operations can handle more volume without proportional cost
• Customer acquisition or revenue patterns are predictable

Scaling at the right time multiplies results without multiplying costs — unlocking higher margins and sustainable growth.

Risks of Confusing Growth and Scale

Scaling too early can lead to overspending, inefficient hires, and operational collapse before product-market fit.
Growing indefinitely without scaling leads to overstaffed teams, rising expenses, and stagnant margins, a business that can’t expand without proportional resource increases.

Understanding where your startup sits ensures smarter decisions and clearer communication with your team and investors.

Wrapping Things Up…

• Growth is about size; scaling is about efficiency.
• Startups grow first to validate and learn; they scale to multiply output and impact.
• Confusing the two can waste resources, slow progress, and frustrate teams.

The most successful founders don’t just aim to grow; they aim to scale at the right time, turning a validated product into a business that can expand rapidly, sustainably, and profitably.

Noha Gad

In today’s fast-growing startup landscape, founders face several challenges, most notably securing capital to fuel growth without sacrificing equity or facing rigid repayment schedules. Traditional options like venture capital dilute ownership, while bank loans demand collateral that many early-stage businesses lack. Hence, revenue-based financing (RBF) emerged as a flexible, performance-aligned model that reshapes the way entrepreneurs fund their ventures. 

What is revenue-based financing (RBF)?

Revenue-based financing, or royalty-based financing, allows businesses to raise capital by giving investors a share of their ongoing gross revenues. This model provides founders with fast, non-dilutive capital that aligns with their actual revenue, offering valuable insights beyond just funding to fuel their sustainable growth.

Unlike debt and equity financing, RBF enables investors to receive a regular share of the business's income until a certain amount is paid. This amount is typically three to five times the original investment.

RBF is particularly popular in small to mid-sized companies or Software-as-a-Service (Saas) sectors as it provides an alternative for companies that are unable to secure traditional financing. It is an ideal option for growing online businesses, especially those with predictable, recurring revenue, that need capital for inventory, marketing, or other operational expenses.

How does RBF work?

A company that raises capital through revenue-based financing will be required to make regular payments to pay down an investor's principal. It is distinct from debt financing for several reasons: interest is not paid on an outstanding balance, and there are no fixed payments.

Payments to investors depend on the company’s performance because they vary based on the level of the business's income. For instance, if sales fall off in one month, investors will see their royalty payment reduced. Likewise, if sales in the following month increase, payments to the investors for that month will also increase.  

RBF also differs from equity financing because investors do not have ownership in the business. This is why revenue-based financing is often considered a hybrid between debt financing and equity financing.

Benefits and drawbacks

When considering revenue-based financing as a funding option, it is important to weigh its advantages alongside its limitations. This approach offers a set of benefits that appeal to many growing businesses, but it also has potential drawbacks that may impact suitability depending on the company’s specific circumstances. 

Benefits

• Non-dilutive capital: It allows entrepreneurs to raise funds without giving up ownership or control, which is crucial for founders keen to retain strategic decision-making power.
• Flexible repayments: Payments fluctuate with revenue, reducing financial pressure during slow periods. This eventually helps maintain healthier cash flow compared to fixed loan installments.
• Fast and accessible: Approval processes emphasize actual revenue performance rather than projections or credit scores.

 Drawbacks

• Higher Cost: RBF can be costlier than traditional debt, with repayment caps often ranging from 1.3x to 2.5x the initial amount.
• Revenue dependence: Companies with fluctuating or unpredictable revenue may face extended repayment terms, which can strain long-term financial planning.​
• Not for early-stage startups: RBF generally requires a reliable revenue stream. This makes it less suitable for pre-revenue or high-risk ventures.​

RBF vs. traditional funding options

Revenue-based financing stands out in a crowded funding landscape by offering a middle path between equity-heavy venture capital and rigid traditional debt. Evaluating it against alternatives like VC, bank loans, and venture debt reveals key trade-offs in ownership, repayment flexibility, and accessibility. RBF preserves full ownership without equity dilution, unlike VC, which requires giving up shares and often board seats. Additionally, RBF does not require collateral or personal guarantees, compared to bank loans, which have fixed payments and asset requirements.

RBF avoids interest rates and equity warrants typical in venture debt, offering purely revenue-based terms without fixed schedules, though both target growth-stage firms.

Finally, Revenue-based financing offers a compelling alternative for founders seeking flexible, non-dilutive capital aligned with their business performance. Although it may carry higher costs than traditional debt and requires steady revenue, its scalable repayment and quick access make it an attractive option for growing companies. As startups navigate funding choices, understanding RBF's unique workings can empower smarter decisions for sustainable growth.