Kholoud Hussein 

1. Introduction: The Surge of Gig Work in the Kingdom

Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia’s labor market has undergone a rapid transformation. Traditional job structures are increasingly giving way to gig-based employment, facilitated by ride-hailing services, delivery platforms, freelancing networks, and on-demand services. Platforms like Mrsool, Jahez, HungerStation, Careem, Fetchr, and numerous freelancing portals are catalysts for this shift. According to the 2024 Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development, approximately 15.7% of the Saudi workforce now engages in some form of gig or informal work, up from just 8% in 2018.

This trend reflects global labor market shifts, but it has unique implications in Saudi Arabia, where Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, increase female labor participation, and formalize economic opportunities. The rise of gig work has become a key engine of startup growth and private-sector innovation across delivery, logistics, professional services, and more.

2. Gig Work as an Opportunity for Startups

2.1. A Flexible, Scalable Labor Model

Startups in KSA are leveraging gig labor to build agile, low-capital models that scale quickly:

• Jahez operates with a dispersed delivery workforce, reducing fixed costs while handling up to 1.5 million daily deliveries.
• Mrsool, a peer-to-peer courier platform, enables users to onboard informal couriers (“mushers”) via simple ID verification, costing fractions of conventional logistics.
• Professional-service startups (marketing, design, tech freelancing) use gig platforms to match entrepreneurs with over 200,000 gig workers in creative fields.

Fahad Al-Mansour, CEO of a Riyadh-based logistics startup, notes: “We could never create dispatch hubs or fleets at this scale without gig couriers. They give us the speed and reach that a traditional model simply can’t match.”

This flexibility allows startups to tackle localized demand spikes—Ramadan services, sporting events, or tourism surges—without major overhead. It brings cost-efficiency and responsiveness rarely seen in earlier business models.

2.2. Enabling Innovation with Lower Risk

By reducing fixed expenses, startups channel resources into product development, UX, marketing, and expansion. For example:

• Fetchr, offering same-day delivery via gig drivers, has expanded into the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain since 2022, capitalizing on its asset-light labor model.
• Health and eldercare startups use gig nurses and therapists to scale with public consent and limited operational costs.

Haya Al-Fahad, co-founder of a telehealth startup, explains: “Gig professionals have allowed us to pilot home-based elderly care without committing to physical clinics or full-time staff. We can test, adapt, and grow faster.”

Startups appreciate that gig work helps them launch with minimal risk and pivot quickly based on data-driven insights.

3. Challenges of Informal Gig Work for Workers and Startups

3.1. For Workers: Lack of Protections and Predictability

Gig workers often experience unstable incomes, lack of social insurance, and absence of benefits:

• Income volatility: Many couriers can earn between SR 2,000–3,500 per month, but with high variance in demand cycles.
• Lack of coverage: No access to retirement pensions, health insurance, or unemployment benefits.
• Legal ambiguity: Contracts are often limited to platform terms, leaving workers without employee rights.

A delivery driver shares: “One week I make SR 4,000, the next SR 1,800. I have no idea how much I’ll make next month… there’s no safety net.”

Such instability creates financial stress and vulnerability, undermining the socio-economic goals of Vision 2030.

3.2. For Startups: Quality, Reliability, and Workforce Loyalty

While gig labor offers flexibility, it introduces challenges for startups:

• Inconsistent service: Reliance on part-time workers affects delivery speed and quality.
• High churn: Gig workers may switch between multiple apps for better pay or perks.
• Lack of brand ownership: Customers develop affinity with platforms, not individual couriers or service providers.

A logistics startup founder notes: “We spend major effort training gig staff for efficient routes or customer communication, only for them to have low retention and performance inconsistency.”

These issues affect reputation, repeat business, and customer satisfaction, hindering long-term growth.

4. Digital Platforms and the Private Sector: From Matching to Enablement

4.1. Platforms Moving Up the Value Chain

Saudi gig platforms are evolving into holistic ecosystems:

• HungerStation, originally a food delivery app, now offers logistics services to restaurants, analytics dashboards, and training for kitchen staff.
• Mrsool has added onboarding, ID verification, and digital wallet solutions with partners like STC Pay.
• Freight startups such as Fetchr and Trukky provide professional training, insurance, and job scheduling tools to gig drivers.

These platforms transition from mere mediators to platforms delivering workforce support—closing operational, regulatory, and operational gaps faced by gig workers.

4.2. FinTech and Financial Services for Gig Labor

A key innovation: embedding financial services into gig ecosystems. FinTechs like Tamara, HalalaH, and sap payment offer:

• Instant pay solutions—linking with gig apps so workers get paid daily rather than monthly.
• Microloans and credit based on earnings history, enabling vehicle or equipment purchases.
• Integrated insurance bundles—offered with every job.

Khalid Al-Ghamdi, CEO of a Saudi FinTech serving gig workers, underscores the impact: “Providing a seamless payroll and microcredit system has empowered thousands of gig workers to access financial tools usually reserved for full-time employees.”

This approach benefits both workers (income stability, credit access) and platforms (higher loyalty, service quality).

5. Moving Toward a Formalized Gig Economy

5.1. Regulatory Progress

Saudi Arabia has begun formalizing gig work through:

• “Freelance Residency” visas launched in 2022, allowing gig professionals legal status and tax registration.
• Labor regulations enabling self-employment licensing and freelance contracts via online government portals.
• Upcoming minimum income protections and social coverage discussed by HRSD officials in 2024.

Human Resources Minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi commented: “We are determined to integrate gig workers into the formal economy, ensuring they receive basic protections while promoting a flexible labor environment.”

5.2. Startup Initiatives in Workforce Protection

Some startups proactively offer standards for gig workers:

• RideNow provides ID verification, safety training, and third-party insurance.
• HealthX, a health staffing app, offers gig professionals online training and certification, paired with indemnity insurance for home visits.
• SkillX, an on-demand training platform, enables gig workers to gain micro-credentials linked to job apps—improving quality and pay.

These efforts reflect a growing entrepreneurial emphasis on responsible gig models with social safeguards.

6. Towards a Balanced Saudi Gig Ecosystem

6.1. Strategic Coordination

Building a sustainable gig economy requires a three-way alignment:

6.2. Future Outlook and Recommendations

Key next steps for a thriving Saudi gig ecosystem:

1. Legislate fair minimum earnings and social coverage (e.g., pension contributions, health insurance for gig workers).
2. Standardise onboarding and accreditation processes via platforms and technical authorities.
3. Accelerate tech-enabled solutions (instant pay, microloans, skill certification).
4. Promote data sharing partnerships to analyze gig labor trends, inform policy, and improve platform accountability.
5. Foster research collaborations between universities and startups on gig-work impacts, quality, and mental health.

Delivering these will solidify gig work as a reliable, growth-supporting component of Saudi’s economy.

From Informality to Strategic Asset

The gig economy is not just a stopgap labor source—it can be a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s diversified, innovation-driven economy. Startups are already leveraging gig work to scale efficiently, pilot new services, and enhance service delivery. However, thriving requires elevating this into a sustainable, equitable model that benefits workers, platforms, and the national agenda.

By integrating regulatory frameworks, startup-led enablers, FinTech solutions, and worker empowerment, Saudi Arabia can transform gig work into a formalized, quality-assured, and socially responsible sector by 2030.

As the Saudi labor market continues to evolve, the challenge—and opportunity—is clear: turn flexibility into sustainability. In doing so, Saudi Arabia can inspire the region and set a standards-based model for gig economies globally.

Ghada Ismail

If you're launching a startup or thinking about raising funding, one term you’ll quickly come across is the cap table—short for capitalization table. While it may sound technical, it’s actually a straightforward but critical tool that every founder, investor, and early employee should understand.

In Simple Terms

A cap table is a spreadsheet or digital dashboard that shows who owns what in a company. It details the equity ownership, types of shares, and how that ownership changes over time, especially after funding rounds, stock option grants, or exits.

Think of it as the official scorecard of ownership in your startup.

What Does a Cap Table Include?

At its core, a cap table typically shows:

• Founders’ ownership
• Investor equity stakes
• Employee stock options
• Total shares outstanding and fully diluted

The more a company grows and raises capital, the more complex the cap table becomes, especially after multiple funding rounds and equity-based compensation.

Why It Matters

A cap table isn’t just for compliance; it’s essential for decision-making. It helps you:

• Negotiate with investors by clearly showing who’s getting diluted
• Issue stock options to employees with transparency
• Plan exits or acquisitions with a clear view of payouts
• Stay ready for due diligence during fundraising or M&A

Messy or outdated cap tables can delay deals or, worse, it can cost you trust with investors.

When to Set It Up

Early. Ideally, the moment your startup incorporates and issues shares to founders. As you bring on co-founders, advisors, or early team members, keeping your cap table clean and updated avoids painful headaches down the line.

There are plenty of tools today—like Carta, Pulley, or Eqvista—that help automate and manage your cap table securely and accurately.

Popular Cap Table Tools

Managing a cap table manually in Excel might work for the first few months, but it gets messy fast. That’s where dedicated tools come in. Here are three leading platforms startups use to simplify and professionalize equity management:

1. Carta

One of the most widely used platforms globally, Carta offers cap table management, scenario modeling, and investor reporting. It’s trusted by many VC-backed startups and is especially helpful for companies scaling fast or preparing for funding rounds.

2. Pulley

Pulley is built with early-stage startups in mind. It’s clean, intuitive, and affordable, making it great for first-time founders who want clarity on dilution and equity planning. It also offers support for SAFEs, options, and pro-forma modeling.

3. Eqvista

Eqvista is a robust yet cost-effective alternative, offering full-featured cap table tools, company valuations, and compliance support. It’s especially popular among startups outside the U.S. and provides personalized support for smaller teams.

Wrapping things up…

Your cap table tells the story of your startup’s ownership, and over time, that story evolves. Whether you’re raising your first round or preparing for a major exit, a clean and well-maintained cap table is more than a spreadsheet—it’s a strategic asset.

Kholoud Hussein 

In recent years, the world of startup financing has seen tremendous innovation, not just in what is being funded, but in how capital flows. One of the more intriguing trends gaining traction among investors and founders alike is "liquid venture capital" — a model that promises to bring flexibility, speed, and secondary market liquidity into a traditionally illiquid asset class.

But what exactly is liquid venture capital, and why is it becoming a hot topic in the venture and startup ecosystem?

The Traditional VC Model: Illiquid by Design

To understand what liquid VC is, it helps to contrast it with the traditional venture capital model. In a typical VC deal:

• Investors fund early-stage companies with equity.
• The capital is locked in for 5–10 years, often with no early exit.
• VCs get their returns through IPOs, acquisitions, or secondary buyouts.

While this model has created giants like Uber, Airbnb, and Stripe, it is inherently illiquid. Investors must wait years before seeing any return, and startups, especially in developing ecosystems, often struggle with limited access to follow-on capital or secondaries.

This is where liquid venture capital emerges as a disruptive alternative.

What Is Liquid Venture Capital?

Liquid venture capital refers to venture investment structures that allow earlier and more flexible exits for investors, typically through tokenized equity, publicly tradable assets, or secondary markets that create liquidity well before a company goes public or is acquired.

In simpler terms, liquid VC gives investors the ability to buy or sell startup stakes more easily, without waiting years for a traditional exit.

How Does It Work?

There are several models under the liquid VC umbrella:

1. Tokenization of Equity:
   Startups issue tokenized shares on blockchain platforms, which can be traded on secondary markets. This opens up early liquidity options and attracts global micro-investors.
2. Secondary Share Markets:
   Platforms like Forge or CartaX allow early investors and employees to sell shares before an IPO. VCs can enter or exit positions faster, diversifying risk.
3. Publicly Listed Startup Funds:
   Some funds invest in startups but offer publicly traded shares of the fund itself. Investors get exposure to venture portfolios with the ability to cash out anytime.
4. Hybrid Structures:
   Some VC funds now include liquidity windows or dynamic capital calls that enable limited partners to exit earlier than usual.

Why Liquid VC Is Gaining Attention?

1. Faster Access to Capital for Startups

Startups benefit from a more active investor base. With liquidity available, funds may be more willing to invest earlier or with less hesitation.

2. More Flexible Risk Management for Investors

VCs and angel investors can manage their portfolios more like public equities — rebalancing, reducing exposure, or locking in gains before an exit event.

3. Democratizing Venture Investing

By tokenizing shares or listing venture funds, liquid VC models allow retail investors to participate in startup growth — a space traditionally reserved for high-net-worth individuals and institutions.

 4. Fuels Secondary Markets

The rise of secondaries means employees, founders, and early-stage investors aren’t forced to wait a decade for liquidity, reducing pressure and creating healthier growth dynamics.

Challenges and Risks

While liquid VC is promising, it comes with caveats:

• Regulatory hurdles: Tokenized securities must comply with securities laws, which vary by country.
• Valuation transparency: Trading startup shares publicly or in secondaries can expose valuation volatility.
• Speculation risk: Increased liquidity can attract speculative trading, distracting from long-term business fundamentals.

Moreover, startups need to decide how much liquidity is healthy — too much can dilute focus, while too little can stifle growth.

The Future of Venture Capital?

Liquid venture capital doesn’t aim to replace traditional VC — rather, it’s evolving the model to better suit the fast-paced innovation economy. In ecosystems like Saudi Arabia, where the government is pushing for deeper capital markets, startup exits, and digital finance, liquid VC can act as a bridge between private innovation and public markets.

As more infrastructure develops — including regulated platforms, legal frameworks, and institutional participation — we are likely to see liquid VC play a growing role in early-stage finance globally.

In summary, liquid venture capital is a step toward a more agile, inclusive, and scalable investment environment — one where startups and investors can both win on their own timelines.

Noha Gad 

The construction sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by ambitious government initiatives and a strategic vision to diversify the economy beyond oil dependence. This promising industry is projected to see a robust growth as of 2025, with an expected expansion rate of around 4.4% to 6.2%, according to a recent report by Global Data. This growth will be driven by massive investments in infrastructure, housing, commercial, and industrial projects.

Additionally, the construction sector in Saudi Arabia is anticipated to reach $174.3 billion by 2030, from $104.7 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%, as stated in a recent report by Research and Markets, one of the world’s largest research market stores. 

At the core of this surge are Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project, which aim to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for innovation, tourism, and entertainment. These projects, alongside urban development in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, are reshaping the economic landscape and creating vast opportunities for construction companies and suppliers

Technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role in this promising sector. The adoption of advanced construction technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), modular construction, 3D printing, and smart infrastructure systems, is accelerating efficiency, reducing costs, and improving project management. 

Bisrat Degefa, Co-founder and CEO of TruBuild, a leading Saudi construction tech company, affirmed that the adoption of technology in the construction sector “has moved from experimental pilots to core strategy.” He highlighted that less than 10% of top developers in the region used digital procurement tools in 2019, while in 2025, over 60% are running live programs.

Another key player in the Saudi construction technology sector is WakeCap, a Riyadh-based company that integrates smart technology in the construction industry, focusing on enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency. According to CEO Hassan Albalawi, mandating technology on major projects plays a pivotal role in promoting transparency, ensuring better compliance rates, and transforming safety protocols and practices in the construction industry and beyond. 

Construction technologies vs. traditional methods

Although traditional construction methods in Saudi Arabia emphasize cultural preservation and adaptation to local climates, advanced technologies are transforming the sector by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and scalability, ultimately accelerating the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification and urban development ambitions.

The integration of technology is essential in overcoming regulatory complexities and administrative challenges, streamlining project approvals, and enhancing risk management. For instance, traditional tender evaluations often take 4–6 weeks and involve multiple full-time reviewers; however, they provide inconsistent and subjective results. Meanwhile, leveraging a rules-based scoring system, enhanced by machine-learning insights, helps companies complete evaluations in 5-7 days with just two reviewers, saving up to 85% of costs, 70% of cycle times, and significantly fewer downstream variations.

This technological evolution not only supports the rapid pace of construction but also positions Saudi Arabia’s construction sector as a model for modernization and economic diversification in the region.

Key technologies that reshape the Saudi construction sector:

Advanced construction technologies are significantly improving both speed and sustainability in the Saudi construction sector in alignment with Vision 2030. Key technological advancements reshaping the industry include:

• 3D Printing: This technology accelerates construction timelines by enabling the rapid, cost-effective fabrication of complex building components from materials like concrete and polymers.
• Modular and prefabricated construction: Pre-assembled building sections are increasingly used in major giga-projects. This method enhances speed, quality, and cost control, crucial for meeting ambitious infrastructure deadlines.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM provides detailed digital 3D models that improve collaboration among architects, engineers, and contractors. Its growing use in projects contributes to reducing errors, streamlining workflows, and cutting costs.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: AI automates routine tasks, optimizes labor allocation, predicts project risks, and improves safety on construction sites, offering real-time insights that help avoid delays and cost overruns.
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Automation: IoT devices enable real-time monitoring of equipment, materials, and site conditions, enhancing resource management and safety. Meanwhile, automation reduces manual labor and repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on strategic aspects of projects.
• Green building technologies: Saudi Arabia is integrating solar panels, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and advanced insulation to reduce the environmental footprint of construction. These practices align with global standards and the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

To fully adopt innovative construction technologies in Saudi Arabia, several key regulatory changes are needed to create a flexible, supportive, and secure environment that fosters innovation while addressing emerging risks, including:

• Aligning regulations with technology development.
• Promoting flexibility and risk management.
• Enhancing collaboration among stakeholdersز
• Developing clear AI and data governance.
• Streamlining permitting and compliance processes.

The future of construction technology in Saudi Arabia

The future of construction technology in Saudi Arabia is set to be transformative, driven by ambitious national goals under Vision 2030 and massive investments exceeding $3 trillion aimed at economic diversification and urban modernization.

Degfa expected a widespread adoption of AI-assisted workflows, contracts linked to digital twins, live ESG and schedule tracking, blockchain-enabled supplier payments, and automated compliance checks for codes and Saudization. “With its combination of scale, urgency, and regulatory support, Saudi Arabia is on track to become a global leader in AI-powered construction,” he said.

Despite challenges related to regulatory complexity and administrative hurdles, the integration of advanced technologies is expected to redefine the Saudi construction sector by 2030, making it a global leader in innovative, sustainable, and efficient building practices. This technological revolution supports Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of economic diversification, job creation, and environmental stewardship, positioning construction as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s future development.

Selina Bieber, Vice President for International Markets at GoDaddy

Digitalisation has transformed entrepreneurship, especially at its inception. An increasing number of small businesses are launching via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or WhatsApp, bypassing traditional websites. These social-first entrepreneurs meet customers where they already are, turning social media from a mere communication tool into a business.

According to the GoDaddy 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey, over one in five (22%) of small business owners in MENA primarily run their business on social media. This shift underscores the growing significance of social commerce, particularly for solo entrepreneurs and part-time founders.

However, building a business solely on social platforms has its limitations. While visibility is high, ownership and control are minimal. Algorithm changes or platform policies can disrupt a business’s presence and income overnight. Moreover, consumers often seek additional verification before making a purchase. 

In Germany, where trust is paramount, having a professional website can significantly enhance a business’s credibility. The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024 Report by Checkout highlighted that 73% of online shoppers in MENA are confident in making purchases from businesses with professional websites, rather than relying solely on social media. 

Microtools Bridge the Gap
The market responded with lightweight tools tailored for social-first founders. Solutions like GoDaddy’s Show In Bio enable entrepreneurs to build branded micro-sites, digital product catalogs, and smart links that centralize their business presence without requiring advanced technical skills. These tools integrate seamlessly with social platforms while granting founders greater control.

AI Fuels Smarter, Faster Entrepreneurship
Artificial intelligence empowers founders to transition from idea to execution swiftly, helping craft product descriptions, develop pricing models, and automate customer interactions. GoDaddy data indicates that AI-supported tools can save entrepreneurs up to 10 hours per week—a substantial benefit for time-constrained small business owners. Beyond time savings, AI democratizes access, enabling anyone to present a professional front, experiment with new ideas, and scale efficiently.

And while social platforms are powerful launchpads for connecting with customers, true staying power comes from owning your presence online. Having a dedicated website paired with smart, social-integrated tools like Show in Bio not only reinforces credibility but also provides a layer of trust and permanence that social channels alone can’t deliver. In an environment where impersonations and questionable accounts are not uncommon, especially on social media, customers often verify whether a business has a legitimate website before making a purchase decision.

Social-First, but Not Platform-Dependent
The new generation of entrepreneurs is pragmatic, digitally native, and driven by a desire for independence. They initiate their ventures where their audiences are—on social media—but increasingly seek tools that provide control, flexibility, and a distinct identity beyond the scroll. Combining social-first strategies with a professional website not only enhances credibility but also ensures long-term viability. With the right mix of AI and accessible microtools, transitioning from a side hustle to a sustainable business is more attainable than ever. Social-first may be the entry point, but ownership and your own digital presence are the future.