Key Recommendations from the 24 Fintech: Shaping the Future of Saudi Arabia’s FinTech Landscape

Sep 10, 2024

Kholoud Hussein 

 

The 24 Fintech Conference, held in Riyadh from September 3 to 5, marked a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing FinTech ecosystem. Gathering a wide array of stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, policymakers, investors, technology experts, and industry leaders from around the globe, the event underscored the nation's ambition to become a leader in the FinTech space.

 

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy away from oil dependence, has placed significant emphasis on digital transformation, and the FinTech sector is seen as a critical driver of that vision. The conference covered various topics, including FinTech regulation and governance, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in financial operations, financial inclusion, and digital payment solutions. By the conclusion of the conference, several key recommendations emerged, which are set to shape the future of the FinTech industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

 

 

1. Enhancing FinTech Regulation and Governance: Building a Balanced Regulatory Framework

One of the core topics at the 24 Fintech Conference was the importance of a balanced regulatory framework to support FinTech innovation while ensuring consumer protection and financial stability. Regulatory bodies like the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) and the Capital Market Authority (CMA) have already established a regulatory sandbox that allows startups to test their products in a controlled environment. However, the conference emphasized the need to further streamline regulations to keep pace with rapidly evolving financial technologies.

 

Key recommendations included:

  • Creating flexible regulatory frameworks that can adapt to new technological advancements such as blockchain, AI, and machine learning without stifling innovation.
  • Harmonizing regulations across the GCC region, allowing for seamless cross-border financial transactions and fostering a regional FinTech ecosystem.
  • Promoting collaboration between regulators and industry players to ensure that rules are practical, forward-looking, and conducive to innovation.
  • Strengthening cybersecurity standards to protect financial data, a critical aspect as digital financial services continue to expand.

A recurring theme was the necessity for regulatory clarity to encourage foreign investment. Investors and FinTech companies need assurance that they can operate within a predictable regulatory environment, which will also attract international partnerships and help Saudi Arabia position itself as a global FinTech hub.

 

2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Financial Operations: The Future of Efficiency

AI and machine learning (ML) were central to many discussions, as these technologies are poised to transform financial operations. AI and ML have already started to play a significant role in areas like fraud detection, risk management, customer service (via chatbots), and personalized financial services.

 

Key recommendations on AI and ML integration included:

  • Investment in AI talent development: Saudi Arabia needs to nurture a workforce skilled in AI and ML. This requires educational initiatives and partnerships between academic institutions and industry players to equip professionals with the skills needed for future financial services.
  • Encouraging the use of AI in compliance: RegTech, or regulatory technology, powered by AI can help companies automate compliance procedures, reducing operational costs and ensuring adherence to regulations.
  • Utilizing AI for financial inclusion: AI-driven platforms can analyze large datasets to offer personalized services to individuals who may have been excluded from traditional banking systems. This includes offering microloans, savings tools, and financial education to underserved communities.
  • Maintaining a balance between automation and human oversight: While AI can enhance operational efficiency, it is critical to retain human oversight, particularly in decision-making processes involving high-risk financial transactions.

Policymakers were urged to support innovation in AI and ML by providing a regulatory environment that fosters experimentation while mitigating risks, especially concerning data privacy and security.

 

3. Financial Inclusion: Making Financial Services Accessible for All

Financial inclusion was a major theme throughout the 24 Fintech Conference, reflecting Saudi Arabia's commitment to expanding access to financial services for underbanked and unbanked populations. With over 70% of the Kingdom’s population having access to the internet, the potential for digital financial services is enormous. However, gaps remain in reaching marginalized communities and small businesses.

 

Key recommendations for financial inclusion included:

  • Leveraging mobile banking and digital wallets: As smartphones become ubiquitous, mobile banking solutions and digital wallets are critical tools for bringing financial services to previously underserved populations. Expanding these services will require partnerships with telecommunications companies and financial institutions.
  • Promoting microfinance solutions: Startups and financial institutions should develop more microfinance products to support small businesses and individual entrepreneurs, particularly women and rural populations. These solutions could help promote economic development in areas that traditional banking services have not reached.
  • Enhancing financial literacy: Providing educational resources and tools to help individuals and small businesses better understand financial products and services will be essential. FinTech companies should collaborate with government agencies to deliver financial education programs through digital platforms.
  • Encouraging Islamic FinTech solutions: Given the importance of Sharia-compliant financial products in the region, FinTech startups should develop innovative Islamic finance solutions that adhere to Sharia principles while leveraging modern technology.

4. Digital Payments and Cashless Economy: Reducing Cash Dependency

Another significant topic at the conference was the development of a cashless economy, an essential element of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With the rise of digital payments, both through mobile apps and contactless cards, the Kingdom is gradually moving toward a more digitized financial system.

 

Key recommendations to accelerate this transition included:

  • Promoting the use of digital payments in everyday transactions: From public transport to government services, increasing the use of digital payments can further reduce reliance on cash. This will require incentives for consumers and businesses alike to adopt digital payment platforms.
  • Supporting FinTech innovations in payments: Startups that specialize in payment solutions, such as peer-to-peer payments, cross-border transfers, and blockchain-based payment systems, should receive support in the form of funding, mentorship, and access to regulatory sandboxes.
  • Boosting trust in digital platforms: Public awareness campaigns to ensure consumers feel confident in using digital financial services will be critical. This includes addressing concerns about data privacy and fraud, which can deter people from adopting digital payment methods.
  • Expanding infrastructure for digital payments in rural areas: Ensuring that even the most remote areas of Saudi Arabia have access to reliable internet and mobile payment platforms will be key to achieving nationwide adoption of digital payments.

5. Fostering Innovation through Collaboration: Startups, Investors, and Corporations

The 24 Fintech Conference highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. Whether through partnerships between startups and established financial institutions, or between investors and regulators, cooperation is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to FinTech growth.

 

Key recommendations on fostering collaboration included:

  • Creating public-private partnerships: Governments should actively partner with the private sector to promote FinTech innovation, provide infrastructure support, and ensure that regulations keep pace with technological advancements.
  • Building innovation hubs and accelerators: Establishing FinTech hubs across the MENA region will enable startups to access resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. These hubs should provide access to investors and regulatory sandboxes to help startups scale more quickly.
  • Attracting international investors: By showcasing the potential of Saudi Arabia’s FinTech sector, the country can attract foreign direct investment (FDI). This will require creating favorable investment conditions, such as tax incentives, intellectual property protections, and clear exit strategies for investors.
  • Encouraging cross-border collaborations: Given the regional nature of many financial challenges, fostering cross-border collaborations between startups and corporations in the GCC and broader MENA region is crucial. Harmonized regulations across borders would facilitate smoother operations for businesses looking to expand beyond Saudi Arabia.

6. Sustainability and Green Finance: The Future of Ethical Investment

In line with global trends, the conference also explored the role of sustainable finance and green FinTech solutions in Saudi Arabia’s future. As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria become increasingly important to investors, the FinTech sector has a unique opportunity to create green financial products.

 

Key recommendations included:

  • Promoting green financial products: FinTech startups should develop innovative solutions such as green bonds, carbon credit trading platforms, and sustainability-linked loans that align with Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in ESG investments.
  • Encouraging sustainable investment platforms: By offering digital platforms that allow retail and institutional investors to invest in sustainable projects, FinTech companies can drive the growth of green finance.
  • Incorporating ESG data into financial decision-making: AI and machine learning can help financial institutions better analyze ESG data and make more informed investment decisions based on sustainability metrics.

In conclusion, the 24 Fintech Conference provided invaluable insights into the future of FinTech in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the importance of regulation, technology, and collaboration. As Saudi Arabia continues to pursue its Vision 2030 goals, these recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the Kingdom’s FinTech landscape. From enhancing regulation and fostering AI innovation to promoting financial inclusion and sustainability, the path forward is clear: Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leader in financial technology in the Middle East and beyond.

 

By implementing these recommendations, the country can unlock new opportunities for growth, attract foreign investment, and ensure that its FinTech ecosystem remains competitive on the global stage.

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Degefa: TruBuild to expand into UAE and Qatar in 2025

Noha Gad

 

The construction tech sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing a transformative phase, driven by Vision 2030’s ambitious infrastructure projects and a growing focus on innovation. From smart cities to large-scale renewable energy initiatives, cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and modular construction are reshaping the industry.

 

TruBuild, a leading Saudi construction tech company, is at the forefront of this evolution, delivering innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation across the Kingdom.

Known for its advanced project management tools, automation, and data-driven insights, TruBuild has become a trusted partner for major developers and government entities, supporting Saudi Arabia’s mission to modernize its infrastructure with smarter, faster, and more cost-effective methodologies. 

 

Sharikat Mubasher held an interview with TruBuild’s Co-founder and CEO, Bisrat Degefa, to delve deeper into the trends, challenges, and future of construction tech in the Kingdom and the broader region.

 

TruBuild uses AI to streamline procurement and project management. How does the platform uniquely address delays and cost overruns compared to traditional methods?

Traditional tender evaluations often take 4–6 weeks, involve multiple full-time reviewers, and still produce inconsistent, subjective results. TruBuild transforms this process by ingesting thousands of pages of technical, commercial, and contractual data in minutes. It applies a transparent, rules-based scoring system enhanced by machine-learning insights and generates a fully auditable trail for every action. The result: evaluations are completed in 5–7 days by just two reviewers, with up to 85% cost savings, 70% faster cycle times, and significantly fewer downstream variations—thanks to early risk identification.

 

How do you see construction tech adoption today in Saudi Arabia and the wider region?

Adoption has moved from experimental pilots to core strategy. In 2019, fewer than 10% of top developers in the region used digital procurement tools; by 2025, over 60% are running live programs. Cloud-based PMIS adoption has grown from 20% to more than half. Saudi Arabia leads the charge, supported by mandates around BIM, e-tendering, and local data residency. What was once seen as optional is now essential to meet the region’s ambitious delivery timelines and scale.

 

What key challenges does TruBuild face in modernizing construction tech in Saudi Arabia and the GCC, and how have you tackled them?
Change aversion is a major hurdle—many teams still believe Excel is “good enough.” So, we built TruBuild to feel familiar: spreadsheet-style, no-code, and easy to learn in a single-day onboarding session. Data sovereignty concerns are resolved with fully Saudi-hosted deployments, compliant with ISO 27001 and NCA-ECC standards. To address fragmented procurement practices, we offer out-of-the-box templates for NEC, FIDIC, and local regulations. And we tackle skill gaps through embedded guidance and CPD-certified training delivered in collaboration with regional industry bodies.

 

You recently secured a $1 million seed round. How will this capital accelerate TruBuild’s growth?
 The funding enables us to scale our engineering, domain, and commercial teams. We’re launching a commercial evaluation module in Q3 2025 with an Arabic NLP interface and expanding go-to-market partnerships with leading project management consultancies to accelerate adoption across the region.

 

What are the company’s expansion plans in Saudi Arabia and the broader region?
 In Saudi Arabia, we are deepening our engagements with PIF subsidiaries and giga-projects. Regionally, we plan to enter the UAE and Qatar in 2025 through local system integrators, followed by targeted expansion into the UK and US markets, where we see strong demand for AI-driven construction tools.

 

How does TruBuild align with Vision 2030’s goals to digitize construction and localize technology?
 Vision 2030 calls for 70% local content, improved productivity, and greater transparency. TruBuild is designed and led from Saudi Arabia, and our clients are already seeing over 50% savings in procurement resource hours. The Vision’s delivery pace simply cannot be supported by legacy workflows. TruBuild shifts procurement from reactive to proactive, enabling faster, more accurate, and fully auditable decisions. Every riyal is tracked and justified, ensuring critical projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards.

 

How do you expect construction tech to evolve in Saudi Arabia over the next five years?
We expect 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, and TruBuild aims to be at the forefront of that evolution.

From Boardrooms to Breakthroughs: The CVC Revolution Reshaping Saudi Innovation

Kholoud Hussein 

 

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a significant transformation in its investment landscape, with Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) emerging as a pivotal mechanism through which large corporations are fostering innovation and contributing to the Kingdom's economic diversification goals outlined in Vision 2030.

 

The Emergence of CVC in Saudi Arabia

The rise of CVC in Saudi Arabia represents a structural evolution in how capital is deployed, risk is managed, and innovation is commercialized. Unlike traditional venture capital, which typically originates from financial institutions or specialized funds focused on returns, CVC in the Kingdom is increasingly driven by large corporations seeking to future-proof their businesses while aligning with national economic transformation goals.

 

This dual motive—strategic relevance and national alignment—has accelerated the institutionalization of CVC as a mainstream investment model across sectors ranging from energy and telecom to banking and retail.

 

From Passive Investment to Strategic Innovation Vehicle

Historically, corporate investment in startups within the region was opportunistic and reactive—often limited to sponsorships or minority passive stakes. Today, Saudi conglomerates and listed entities are adopting a more structured and proactive CVC architecture, complete with dedicated funds, governance models, and internal innovation mandates.

 

According to a 2024 report by MAGNiTT, CVCs accounted for 30% of all unique investors in Saudi Arabia’s venture market, a proportion higher than any other country in the MENA region. This surge reflects not only increased appetite from corporate boards but also regulatory encouragement and ecosystem readiness.

 

Additionally, between 2020 and Q3 2024, corporate investors in the broader MENA region deployed over $380 million across 1,361 tracked investment deals, with Saudi-based corporates contributing a significant share of those transactions. More importantly, CVCs in the Kingdom have moved beyond seed-stage activity, participating in later-stage rounds (Series A and B), signaling growing confidence in the scalability of regional startups.

 

Institutional Players Driving the Shift

Several corporate entities in Saudi Arabia have institutionalized venture activity, establishing internal venture arms with clear mandates:

  • Aramco Ventures, the $7 billion investment vehicle of the national energy giant, focuses on decarbonization, digital industrial solutions, and downstream innovation—sectors vital to both corporate sustainability and national competitiveness.
  • stc’s Tali Ventures has adopted a platform approach, investing across fintech, cybersecurity, AI, and content to support the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
  • Financial institutions like Riyad Bank, SNB Capital, and SABB Ventures are actively deploying capital into fintech and regtech startups, both to modernize their own operations and to stay ahead in a region undergoing digital financial transformation.

These initiatives are not isolated experiments. They are now embedded within broader corporate innovation agendas, often reported at the board level and evaluated against both strategic KPIs and ESG metrics, signaling a maturation of the CVC model.

 

Macroeconomic Drivers Behind the Shift

Several macroeconomic and policy trends have catalyzed the rise of CVC in Saudi Arabia:

  1. Diversification pressure: With Vision 2030 emphasizing the contribution of non-oil GDP, large corporations are incentivized to hedge against sectoral stagnation by investing in adjacent or emerging industries.
  2. Technological leapfrogging: By partnering with agile, innovation-first startups, corporations accelerate access to disruptive technologies, especially in areas like AI, green energy, and e-commerce.
  3. Government encouragement: Programs like Monsha’at’s CVC initiatives, co-investment funds from SVC, and innovation zones like King Salman Park are actively drawing corporates into the venture ecosystem as anchor participants.
  4. Global positioning: As Saudi companies expand internationally, CVC provides a strategic foothold in foreign innovation markets, while simultaneously drawing foreign startups into the Saudi market under joint ventures or strategic partnerships.

 

Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s growing CVC activity is not happening in a vacuum—it is deeply synchronized with the Kingdom’s long-term strategic transformation under Vision 2030. As the country transitions from an oil-reliant economy to a diversified, innovation-led model, CVC is emerging as both a market instrument and a policy mechanism to accelerate this shift.

 

Where traditional economic reforms focus on infrastructure, education, and regulation, CVC functions as a fast-track channel for technological absorption, SME empowerment, and sectoral diversification—all cornerstones of Vision 2030.

 

Catalyzing Non-Oil Sector Growth

A central pillar of Vision 2030 is to increase the private sector’s contribution to GDP, particularly through high-growth industries such as fintech, healthtech, clean energy, and digital logistics. CVCs play a catalytic role here by identifying and nurturing startups in these sectors, thereby unlocking new value chains and expanding sector-specific ecosystems.

For example:

  • Aramco Ventures has strategically deployed capital into carbon capture, hydrogen technologies, and industrial AI startups. These align not only with Aramco’s net-zero commitments but also with Saudi Green Initiative targets.
  • stc’s Tali Ventures is channeling funding toward AI-powered analytics, cloud-native infrastructure, and digital content platforms—sectors critical to achieving the National Digital Transformation Strategy.

This alignment is intentional. Corporate venture arms are increasingly evaluated not just by ROI but by their contribution to national innovation metrics, including IP generation, employment in tech sectors, and localization of frontier technologies.

 

Driving Knowledge Transfer and Localization

Vision 2030 places emphasis on developing local capabilities—not only in terms of employment, but in innovation sovereignty. CVC-backed startups often act as conduits for technology transfer, bringing global models into the local context and adapting them to Saudi-specific challenges.

 

For example, healthtech startups backed by corporate investors in the Kingdom are localizing AI diagnostic tools and digital health records systems in Arabic, with full compliance to national data governance frameworks (under SDAIA). This wouldn't be feasible without the scaling infrastructure and compliance frameworks that large corporations provide.

 

This localization effort directly feeds into Human Capability Development, one of the Vision Realization Programs (VRPs), by giving Saudi technologists, engineers, and operators a platform to lead innovation on home ground.

 

Institutional Coordination and Policy Integration

Crucially, CVC activity in Saudi Arabia does not operate independently of the state. It is interwoven with broader institutional frameworks that include:

  • Monsha’at, which supports SME development and regularly co-hosts demo days with CVCs.
  • Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), which co-invests alongside corporate arms to amplify startup financing.
  • Ministry of Investment (MISA), which works to facilitate smoother cross-border entry for foreign startups backed by Saudi corporates.

These synergies ensure that CVC activity is not just corporate strategy—it is part of a national innovation strategy. As a result, startups receiving corporate backing are more likely to be aligned with priority sectors identified in Vision 2030, from tourism tech and smart cities to energy optimization and AI governance.

 

A Policy Lever for Private Sector Empowerment

Vision 2030 explicitly calls for deepening the role of the private sector. CVC embodies this vision in action. It allows the private sector not only to participate in, but to shape, the Kingdom’s innovation trajectory. By positioning large corporations as venture backers, Saudi Arabia is bridging the traditional disconnect between startups and industrial giants.

 

As Majid Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce, stated in a 2024 forum: “The role of major companies is evolving. Today, they are not just employers or operators—they are incubators of national innovation capacity.”

In this context, Corporate Venture Capital in Saudi Arabia is not merely a business trend—it is a strategic policy instrument embedded in the country’s long-term economic vision. It reinforces the Kingdom’s ambition to become not only a regional hub for investment, but a global engine for innovation rooted in sovereign capability and entrepreneurial dynamism.

 

Impact on the Startup Ecosystem

Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) in Saudi Arabia is reshaping the startup ecosystem not only by injecting financial capital, but by fundamentally altering the structure, maturity, and scalability of emerging ventures. Unlike traditional venture capital firms that primarily seek high-return exits, CVCs in the Kingdom are driven by both financial objectives and strategic imperatives, creating a layered value proposition for startups.

 

Strategic Capital vs. Passive Investment

Startups backed by corporate venture arms often benefit from more than just funding—they gain access to the strategic infrastructure and commercial networks of the parent corporation. This includes distribution channels, procurement pipelines, regulatory facilitation, and, critically, early enterprise clients. For early-stage companies, such access can compress market entry timelines by years.

 

Take, for instance, fintechs backed by SNB Capital or stc’s Tali Ventures. These startups are not just experimenting in isolation—they are being integrated into live environments, piloting products directly within national banks or telecom platforms. This symbiotic approach allows startups to iterate rapidly and scale with less friction.

 

Sectoral Depth and Regulatory Advantage

In regulated industries such as finance, energy, health, and logistics, where bureaucratic complexity often inhibits innovation, CVC involvement provides a regulatory shield and operational runway. Startups working under the umbrella of corporates like Aramco Ventures or Riyadh Bank Ventures often report faster compliance onboarding, shared risk frameworks, and access to insider policy insights.

 

This is particularly important in sectors where time-to-market is constrained by licensing, certification, or policy alignment. As Nabeel Koshak, CEO of Saudi Venture Capital Company, stated: “Strategic capital is now a form of national capacity building. It allows startups to operate at the frontier of innovation while being tethered to institutional strength.”

 

Talent Development and Knowledge Transfer

Corporate-backed startups also become indirect beneficiaries of knowledge transfer. Through mentorship from corporate leadership, shared R&D facilities, and access to seasoned professionals, these ventures develop internal capabilities that exceed typical startup benchmarks. This can lead to higher retention, better governance, and stronger product-market fit over time.

 

Moreover, some corporates are now embedding startup staff into internal innovation teams—a reverse mentorship model that enhances agility on both ends.

 

Creating a Hybrid Funding Model

Another key development is the rise of co-investment models involving both CVCs and traditional VCs. According to MAGNiTT, nearly 87% of CVC-backed deals in Saudi Arabia during 2022–2023 included participation from institutional or regional venture capital funds. This hybrid approach diversifies the risk profile and expands the strategic bandwidth of the startup.

 

Startups that operate under this dual-investor structure often find themselves better positioned to attract international investors during later stages, particularly Series B and beyond, due to the credibility and operational grounding provided by corporate stakeholders.

 

Toward a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem

Ultimately, the growth of CVC in Saudi Arabia is helping to mature the startup ecosystem in a way that is structurally sustainable. It is bridging the gap between experimental tech and industrial adoption. And in doing so, it is laying the groundwork for long-term ecosystem resilience—where innovation is not only celebrated, but continuously deployed, scaled, and institutionalized.

 

In short, CVCs in Saudi Arabia are not merely supporting startups—they are scaffolding a future where startups become part of the national economic architecture.

As Saudi Arabia continues to implement Vision 2030, the role of CVC is expected to expand further. Corporations are likely to increase their investments in startups, fostering innovation and contributing to the Kingdom's economic transformation. The synergy between corporate objectives and national goals positions CVC as a powerful tool for driving sustainable growth and positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation in the region.

 

The Startup MVP: Your First Step Toward Product-Market Fit

Ghada Ismail

 

An MVP is not a prototype or a half-baked concept. It’s a functional product just stripped down to its core. It includes the most essential features that solve your customers' main problem. Think of it as the shortest path between your idea and real user feedback.

Instead of spending months building the “perfect” app or platform, you build something usable and release it early. This way, you avoid wasting time and money on features nobody wants.

 

Why MVPs Matter in the Startup Journey

  1. Validation Before Scaling
    Your MVP helps you test the market before committing heavy resources. You’ll find out if there’s actual demand — and learn what users really care about.
  2. Faster Time to Market
    Building an MVP helps you launch quickly. And in the startup world, speed often beats size.
  3. Smarter Use of Resources
    Startups usually work with tight budgets. An MVP helps you focus only on what matters, reducing risk and avoiding feature bloat.
  4. Informed Product Decisions
    By releasing early, you gather real-world data. That feedback becomes your compass for what to build next.

 

What an MVP Is Not

  • It’s not a buggy or unpolished product. It should still be functional and user-friendly.
  • It’s not a test run with your friends and family. Real users provide real feedback.
  • It’s not the final version. It’s the beginning of a learning process.

 

Examples of MVPs in Action

  • Instagram started as a photo-sharing app with just a few filters, no stories, no messaging.
  • Dropbox first launched with a video explaining how the product would work, even before it was fully built.
  • Uber began as a simple app connecting black car drivers with iPhone users in San Francisco.

These MVPs were not flashy. They were focused.

 

Tips for Building Your MVP

  • Identify the core problem you’re solving.
  • List the must-have features and ditch the rest.
  • Choose the right tools for speed and simplicity.
  • Build, release, and listen to your users.
  • Iterate based on actual usage and feedback.

 

Final Thoughts: MVP Is a Mindset

Building an MVP isn’t just a tactic,  it’s rather a mindset. It encourages startups to learn, adapt, and grow in the most efficient way possible. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, launching smart can be just as important as launching fast.

So if you’re at the early stage of your startup journey, don’t wait for perfect. Start with an MVP and let your users shape what comes next.

 

AI at the Core: The Rise of Generative-First Startups in the Middle East

Kholoud Hussein 

 

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), a new breed of startups is emerging in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. These are generative AI-first startups—companies that are not merely incorporating AI into their operations but are fundamentally built around generative AI technologies. This strategic focus positions them at the forefront of innovation, offering scalable solutions across various sectors.

 

Defining Generative AI-First Startups

 

A generative AI-first startup is characterized by its foundational reliance on generative AI models. Unlike traditional companies that may adopt AI tools to enhance existing processes, these startups are conceived with AI at their core, leveraging technologies such as large language models (LLMs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and other advanced algorithms to create novel content, solutions, or services.

 

Beyond Tools: Generative AI as the Core Business Model

 

In these startups, generative AI is not an auxiliary tool but the central component of their value proposition. This paradigm shift enables the creation of products and services that were previously unattainable, allowing for unprecedented levels of personalization, efficiency, and scalability. For instance, in the healthcare sector, generative AI can analyze vast datasets to generate personalized treatment plans, while in education, it can create customized learning materials tailored to individual student needs.

 

This approach also facilitates rapid prototyping and deployment, as AI models can be trained and fine-tuned to adapt to specific market demands swiftly. Consequently, generative AI-first startups can achieve significant market penetration with relatively lean operational structures, often requiring fewer human resources compared to traditional enterprises.

 

Prominent Generative AI-First Startups in Saudi Arabia and MENA

 

Several startups in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region exemplify the generative AI-first model:

  • Mozn (Saudi Arabia): Specializes in enterprise AI solutions, including OSOS, a generative Arabic AI model designed for natural language understanding and generation. 
  • Lucidya (Saudi Arabia): Offers a customer experience management platform powered by AI, providing real-time insights and interactions, with a particular focus on Arabic language analysis. 
  • Kinetik (Saudi Arabia): Utilizes generative AI to personalize patient care, analyzing health data to provide tailored health plans and recommendations. 
  • DXwand (Egypt & UAE): Develops AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants, focusing on Arabic and English language support to automate customer service and extract insights from unstructured data. 
  • Seez (UAE): Provides AI-driven solutions for the automotive industry, including an AI-powered virtual assistant that enhances customer support with chatbot functionality and real-time insights. 

 

Strategic Implications for the Region

 

The rise of generative AI-first startups aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which emphasizes technological innovation and economic diversification. By fostering an ecosystem conducive to AI development, the region is positioning itself as a hub for cutting-edge technologies. Investments in AI infrastructure, talent development, and regulatory frameworks are critical to sustaining this growth trajectory.

 

Moreover, the success of these startups demonstrates the region's potential to make a significant contribution to the global AI landscape, offering solutions that address both local and international challenges. As generative AI continues to evolve, the MENA region's proactive engagement with this technology will be instrumental in shaping its economic and technological future.

 

In conclusion, generative AI-first startups represent a transformative force within Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, redefining traditional business models and unlocking new avenues for innovation. Their emergence underscores the importance of embracing advanced technologies to drive sustainable economic growth and competitiveness on the global stage.

 

 

Beyond speed: why dark stores are the next big thing in supply chain revolution

Noha Gad

 

In an era where consumers demand faster deliveries, greater convenience, and seamless shopping experiences, a logistical transformation is occurring behind the scenes: the silent rise of dark stores. These unmarked, tech-driven fulfillment centers are quietly revolutionizing retail infrastructure, emerging as the critical link between digital storefronts and instant delivery expectations in our era of hyper-speed e-commerce and q-commerce.

Recent research showed that the global dark store market is expected to hit $32.91 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 41%. Meanwhile, the dark store market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is projected to reach $12.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 36.1%.

 

What exactly are dark stores?

Unlike traditional retail stores designed for customer foot traffic, dark stores are optimized exclusively for online order fulfillment. They function as micro-warehouses, strategically located in urban centers to enable hyperlocal deliveries, sometimes in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.

These highly automated spaces eliminate all traditional retail elements: no storefronts, shoppers, or checkout lines. Instead, they feature AI-driven inventory systems, robotic pickers, and smart sorting technology operating around the clock. 

By focusing exclusively on high-demand products and leveraging predictive analytics, dark stores simultaneously achieve remarkable speed, reduced waste, and optimal space utilization, making them the perfect fulfillment solution for today's instant gratification economy.

 

Why dark stores are gaining traction in Saudi Arabia

Dark stores are gaining traction in the Kingdom thanks to several key factors aligned with the country’s economic, technological, and consumer trends:

  • Rapid growth of e-commerce. Consumers increasingly prefer quick, convenient online shopping, especially for groceries and everyday essentials. 
  • Demand for super-fast delivery. Dark stores enable 10-to-30-minute deliveries, meeting rising expectations for speed. Applications like Nana, Ninja, and Haseel leverage dark stores to offer instant grocery delivery.
  • Urbanization and high population density. Cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have dense populations, making dark stores cost-effective for covering large demand areas.
  • Investment in technology and startups. Saudi venture capital firms, such as STV and Jahez, fund quick-commerce startups adopting the dark store model.

 

How dark stores benefit the supply chain in Saudi Arabia 

Dark stores are transforming supply chain efficiency in Saudi Arabia by optimizing logistics, reducing costs, and improving delivery performance. They provide:

  • Faster and more efficient order fulfillment.
  • Lower operational costs.
  • Enhanced inventory management.
  • Scalability for Q-commerce.
  • Reduced delivery costs and carbon footprint
  • Better supplier and retailer collaboration.

Dark stores vs. traditional warehouses vs. micro-fulfillment centers

 

Unlike large warehouses, which are typically located on the outskirts of cities and designed for bulk storage, dark stores are compact, urban-based facilities optimized for speed. They act as hidden retail hubs—stocking high-demand groceries and essentials—and enable platforms like Nana and Jahez to deliver orders in under 30 minutes.

Their proximity to consumers and tech-driven picking systems makes them ideal for Saudis' on-demand culture, though their smaller size limits inventory capacity compared to sprawling traditional warehouses.

 

Meanwhile, traditional warehouses are the backbone of bulk logistics, serving big retailers and manufacturers. While they lack the agility of dark stores, they support large-scale e-commerce operations with lower per-unit storage costs. However, their distance from urban centers slows last-mile delivery.

 

The automated, high-density micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs), often embedded in existing supermarkets or standalone sites, use robotics and AI to fulfill online orders quickly. 

 

Dark stores are poised to play an even bigger role in Saudi Arabia’s retail and logistics landscape, driven by several key trends, notably hyperlocal and on-demand dominance, automation and robotics integration, sustainability and cost optimization, and regulatory and investment support.

Finally, dark stores are more than a passing trend in Saudi Arabia, they’re a strategic evolution in retail and supply chain efficiency. By combining speed, cost savings, and scalability, they address the Kingdom’s unique challenges: urbanization, high digital adoption, and demand for instant gratification.