Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The number of foreign startups licensed under Saudi Arabia’s Riyadi initiative has climbed to 550 by mid-2025, reflecting a 118% year-on-year increase, according to the Ministry of Investment.

This significant rise aligns with national efforts to establish the Kingdom as a regional entrepreneurship hub by easing international startup entry and cultivating a regulatory environment that supports innovation and investment, according to Monsha’at’s report.

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) has also granted 364 licenses to incubators and accelerators across the country. These platforms have played a key role in guiding foreign entrepreneurs through prototyping, mentorship, and investor access, paving the way for successful market launches.

Global events hosted in Saudi Arabia, such as LEAP and Biban, have highlighted the Kingdom’s growing startup ecosystem, while Saudi participation in international tech gatherings like Web Summit, VivaTech, and Slush has bolstered its global presence.

The Riyadi license, a core initiative of the Ministry of Investment, is aimed at helping both international and local founders build ventures with ease, supporting the goals of Vision 2030 by driving economic diversification and embedding a culture of entrepreneurship.