Noha Gad

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy and transformed the way businesses operate. Companies, especially startups, seized the shift to adopting remote work to cut costs, access global talent, and establish agile and location-independent businesses. Before 2020, remote work was a niche concept for many industries, but lockdowns and social distancing measures proved that teams could remain productive outside traditional offices. This realization, combined with advancements in digital tools, accelerated the rise of remote startups.

A recent report by Robert Half, the global human resource consulting firm, revealed that fully remote jobs have increased from 10% in early 2023 to 15% by the end of 2024. Other studies showed that remote workers are 13-35% more productive than their in-office counterparts.

In 2025, remote startups are no longer an exception; they are becoming the norm. Remote work democratized entrepreneurship and enabled talent from around the world to collaborate and innovate without the constraints of geography. As a result, the entrepreneurship landscape witnessed a significant surge in remote startups that are leaner, more diverse, and often more resilient than their traditional counterparts. 

What are remote startups?

A remote startup is a company that operates entirely or primarily without a physical office. All team members, including founders, engineers, designers, marketers, and support staff, work from different locations, often across time zones. This type of startup relies on digital tools to collaborate, communicate, and build its products or services. 

There are three types of remote startups: fully remote, partially remote, and distributed startups. In fully remote startups, the entire company operates from home, without any physical office space. Meanwhile, partially remote startups require some team members to be based in a physical office while other members work remotely. 

The distributed startup is a company that is physically based in one location, but employees are working remotely from all over the world.

Benefits of remote work

Remote work mode offers multiple advantages for both startups and employees. For startups, remote work provides several benefits, such as:

• Access to a global talent pool. Startups can hire specialists from around the world without worrying about geographic boundaries. This diversity fuels creativity and provides insights into international markets.
• Cost saving. Remote work allows startups to reduce expenses related to office space, utilities, commuting, and relocation, and redirect them to R&D, marketing, or scaling operations.
• Flexibility and enhanced productivity. Flexible schedules let employees work during their peak hours, whether they’re night owls or early risers. 
• Enhanced employee satisfaction. Remote work improves work-life balance, reducing burnout and turnover.

Remote work helps employees increase productivity and stay focused on their tasks. Flexible work hours can also contribute to reducing absenteeism, enabling employees to organize their days as they see fit. With less time spent commuting, employees have more time for themselves and can improve the quality of life by optimizing time for exercise, cooking, or simply resting.

Challenges facing remote startups 

Although remote work offers incredible flexibility and global opportunities, it also comes with unique challenges that can make or break a startup. Maintaining company culture is one of the biggest hurdles facing startups as they find difficulty in fostering team cohesion and shared values without physical interaction. Communication challenges, such as misaligned time zones and reliance on written communication, can lead to misunderstandings. Thus, startups must invest in tools and protocols to bridge these gaps.

Another key challenge is managing performance. Startups may find difficulties in monitoring and evaluating remote employee productivity. To address this challenge, they need to set clear KPIs, feedback mechanisms, and project management systems.

Moreover, remote teams increase exposure to security risks and cyber threats. A single unsecured Wi-Fi network could compromise sensitive data, making robust cybersecurity protocols non-negotiable. 

Finally, the rise of remote startups marks a fundamental shift in how businesses are built and operated. As they become the new norm, remote startups are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape, making it more inclusive, agile, and resilient for the future. This type of startup unlocks global talent, reduces costs, and fosters greater flexibility and productivity, while breaking down geographic barriers.

Noha Gad

Saudi Arabia’s sports sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation fueled by ambitious investments and strategic initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. The value of this rapidly expanding market is expected to triple by 2030, driven by major infrastructure projects, hosting global events like the FIFA World Cup 2034, and the growing emphasis on grassroots development and professional leagues. 

Sports technology platforms, such as Grintafy, play a pivotal role in advancing this evolving sector. By leveraging innovative tools like AI analytics, blockchain, and fintech solutions, Grintafy empowers amateur players, clubs, and scouts with data-driven insights and seamless connectivity.

Guided by a clear mission to democratize talent discovery and build Saudi Arabia’s future football stars, Grintafy envisions the Kingdom as a global beacon of sports excellence. Its vision is realized through strategic collaborations with key stakeholders, including clubs, federations, and cutting-edge Web3 innovators, enabling the platform’s expansion across the MENA region and beyond.

Sharikat Mubasher held an interview with Founder and CEO, Majdi Allulu, to discover more about Grintafy’s business model, regional and global expansions, as well as its strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a global sports hub. 

What was the driving force behind launching Grintafy, and what is its core mission in Saudi Arabia?

Grintafy was founded and driven by the ambition to “level the playing field” for amateur footballers by enabling them to build their football CVs, rate performances, organize games, and connect with scouts and clubs. 

The core mission in Saudi Arabia is to democratize talent discovery, support Vision 2030’s goals, and serve as a launchpad for the national team’s next generation.

How does Grintafy set itself apart from other talent-scouting platforms regionally and globally?

• Scale: With nearly 2.5 million registered users across the Middle East, Grintafy stands as the region’s largest talent discovery platform. 
• Comprehensive features: It offers a full ecosystem—organizing games, performance ratings, CV building (“Grinta Card”), messaging, live streaming, and fintech payments like in-app “G-coins” 
• Web3 capabilities: Strategic investment by Chiliz and Adaverse positions Grintafy at the forefront of using blockchain for transparent player ratings, performance certification, and engagement.

How do you utilize emerging technologies like AI or data analytics to enhance talent discovery?

The platform already harnesses AI and machine learning to support live-streaming features and performance analysis. We have the plans to use AI-driven analytics to elevate scouting accuracy, refine player rankings, and extract deeper insights from performance data.

With Saudi Arabia set to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, how will Grintafy contribute to preparing local talent for this global stage?

Grintafy aims to be instrumental in preparing Saudi talent for the global stage by:

• Continuously identifying emerging local players through its platform and scouting network.
• Aligning with Vision 2030, with investors like Wa’ed emphasizing the goal of discovering the “future Saudi National Team” on Grintafy.
• Expanding development initiatives, grassroots tryouts, and performance tracking programs designed to elevate player readiness by 2034.

How will your recent partnership with Resal empower Saudi sports talents? And are there other strategic partnerships in the pipeline to further Grintafy’s mission? 

The recent Resal partnership integrates loyalty rewards with Grintafy: athletes earn digital incentives through performance and engagement, driving motivation and sustained development.

We have several regional and global partnerships in the final stages of completion. This includes international clubs and leagues. 

What are Grintafy’s strategies to expand within and beyond Saudi Arabia? 

• Regional expansion: Active in Egypt since 2021—with partnerships with West Ham United, the Egyptian Ministry of Youth & Sports, Cádiz CF—and planning to expand further across MENA.
• International push: Supported by investors like Chiliz and Adaverse, aiming to connect Saudi talent with European and South American football ecosystems.

How do you assess the current state of Saudi Arabia’s sports ecosystem? And how did government initiatives support the sector?

The Saudi sports ecosystem is rapidly evolving, heavily fueled by Vision 2030 initiatives focused on national sports development, infrastructure, and private sector engagement. Government support is substantial—from funding early-stage sportstech ventures (like Wa’ed backing Grintafy), to incentivizing Web3 innovation and international talent initiatives, strongly supportive of platforms like Grintafy.

What is Grintafy’s long-term vision for shaping Saudi Arabia as a global sports hub?

Grintafy envisions Saudi Arabia emerging as a globally competitive sport—and especially football—hub by:

• Empowering grassroots development and bridging amateur players to professional opportunities.
• Integrating advanced Web3 and AI tools to set global standards for talent discovery.
• Fostering global partnerships that ensure Saudi players are scouted and play internationally.
• Feeding homegrown talent into national teams, championships, and global leagues, thereby reinforcing the Kingdom as a center of sports excellence.

In preparation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Grintafy focuses on identifying and developing local talent through performance tracking, trials, and organized matches, aiming to build a strong generation of Saudi players ready to compete internationally.

The platform utilizes advanced technologies such as AI analytics, live streaming, fintech payments, and blockchain credentials to enhance talent discovery and ensure transparent, secure player data management.

Finally, innovations in sports tech and infrastructure are backed by Vision 2030 and the government's support to accelerate technology adoption, empowering platforms like Grintafy to elevate Saudi Arabia as a global sports hub.

Ghada Ismail

What if you could read a customer’s mind before they even said a word? Not long ago, startups had to rely on slow focus groups and basic surveys to guess what customers liked. Today, they can track eye movements, monitor reactions through smartwatches and other tools to quickly see what grabs attention, whether it’s a webpage, a TikTok video, or a price tag. This instant insight into customer behavior is powering a growing market called the ‘Neuromarketing’ that is now worth $1.56 billion and expected to more than double by 2034. The most successful new companies are using neuroscience-based strategies to trigger automatic customer responses. By understanding how brains make decisions, you can design marketing that converts at much higher rates.

This article reveals how to ethically apply neuromarketing principles and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to accelerate your startup's growth.

The Neuroscience Behind Impulse Marketing

If neuromarketing provides the brain scan, fear of missing out supplies the adrenaline. Around six in ten consumers admit they have made a “reactive” purchase within 24 hours of feeling FOMO, and the share spikes to 69 percent among millennials. Psychologists trace the phenomenon to the brain’s reward network: when we think other people are seizing an opportunity we might lose, dopamine surges, nudging us toward instant action. Social platforms have weaponized that impulse with endless highlight reels; savvy startups are learning to hard-wire it into product design, price promotions, and even push notifications.

From lab coats to laptops: the new neuromarketing stack

The classic toolkit pairs methods that read the body with AI that predicts behavior. Functional MRI offers millimeter-level maps of activity deep inside the brain, while EEG headsets (EEG headsets are wearable devices that measure electrical activity in the brain using a technology called electroencephalography) translate surface waves into real-time attention scores. Eye-tracking cameras pinpoint the exact pixel that attracts or repels a viewer; galvanic-skin sensors detect a micro-bead of sweat signaling arousal. What once required a research hospital now runs in a browser or on a fitness band, putting neuroscience within reach of a five-person SaaS team. 

Where neuromarketing meets FOMO

The power comes when these tools are used to calibrate scarcity messages, social-proof counters, and countdown timers with scientific precision. Imagine an e-commerce startup testing two product pages. In version A, the headline reads “Only 3 left in stock”; in version B, it says “In stock”. An AI model trained on thousands of eye-tracking records predicts that the first phrasing holds gaze 1.8 seconds longer.  The founders push version A live and watch conversions climb. They have literally measured FOMO in the brain.

FOMO in Action: How Fear of Missing Out Drives Spending Habits
Fear of missing out isn’t just a feeling; it’s reshaping consumer behavior, especially among younger generations. From impulse buys to overspending on experiences, FOMO is a strong psychological trigger that’s influencing the way people make financial decisions. Here are some key statistics that highlight just how widespread and powerful its impact has become:

• 60% of consumers say they’ve made a purchase because of FOMO, often within 24 hours.
• A OnePoll study found that 69% of Americans have experienced FOMO, with social media as a major driver.
• According to the American Psychological Association, 56% of U.S. adults felt FOMO during the COVID-19 pandemic—again, fueled by social media.
• An Experian report showed that 69% of millennials overspend to keep up with peers and avoid FOMO.
• A TD Ameritrade survey revealed that 73% of millennials had spent money they didn’t have on experiences to avoid feeling left out.

Neuromarketing: Your Secret Weapon for Higher Conversions

Neuromarketing gives you an unfair advantage by revealing what actually drives decisions . Here's how to use it:

1. Emotion Beats Reason Every Time

• People justify purchases with logic but buy based on feelings
• Use language that triggers excitement, nostalgia or belonging
• Example: "Join thousands of happy customers" works better than "Our product has these features"

2. The Magic of Storytelling

• Our brains are wired to remember stories 22x better than facts
• Frame your product as solving a dramatic problem
• Show transformation rather than listing benefits

3. Visuals That Work Subconsciously

• Red = urgency (perfect for "Buy Now" buttons)
• Blue = trust (ideal for pricing pages)
• Faces looking at your Call to Action (CTA) button increase clicks by 10-15%

4. Simplify Choices to Boost Sales

• Too many options paralyze decision-making
• Offer 3 versions max (good/better/best)
• Highlight one recommended option

FOMO: The Growth Hack Every Startup Should Use

FOMO taps into our deep fear of social exclusion. When used ethically, it can dramatically improve conversion rates.

Proven FOMO Tactics That Work:

Limited Availability

• "Only 3 spots left in our program"
• "First 100 customers get lifetime discount"

 Social Proof Triggers

• "Join 2,500+ founders using our tool"
• Live counters showing recent signups

 Exclusive Access

• "Invite-only early access"
• "VIP members get 24-hour head start"

 Urgency Without Being Pushy

• "Early bird pricing ends Friday"
• “Registration closes in 48 hours”

Combining Neuromarketing + FOMO for Maximum Impact

The most effective startups layer these techniques:

1. The Story + Scarcity Combo

• Tell an emotional brand story
• Add "Limited edition" or "Only available this week"

2. Social Proof + Urgency

• "500+ customers joined this week"
• "Next price increase in 3 days"

3. Gamification + Exclusivity

• Progress bars showing signup milestones
• "Top 50 users get premium features free"

The Playbook for Founders

Start by figuring out where people are dropping off. Are visitors leaving before scrolling? Upload a screenshot of your page into an AI tool like Predict AI to spot areas that people tend to ignore.

Next, create real urgency—but keep it honest. Limited-edition offers, time-based pricing, or exclusive waitlists can trigger FOMO, but fake countdown timers will only hurt your credibility.

Then, test quickly and often. Because brain-based feedback can come in fast, your growth team could test ten headline versions before lunchtime.

Finally, close the loop with social proof. Show how many people have signed up or made a purchase recently—when users see others taking action, they’re more likely to follow through.

Staying Ethical: Where Neuromarketing Meets Regulation

Tracking eye movements or physical responses isn’t exactly mind-reading, but neuromarketing comes close and that raises important ethical questions. In places like Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) treats biometric data (like facial expressions or heart rate) as highly sensitive. That means companies must get clear, informed consent and use the data only for a specific, stated purpose. California’s Consumer Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) has similar rules.

But legal compliance is just the starting point. Founders also need to think about ethics: When does smart marketing cross the line into manipulation? For example, pretending a countdown timer is real when it’s not may boost short-term sales, but it damages trust. On the other hand, being honest and offering features like an easy “undo” option after an impulse purchase builds long-term loyalty and customer lifetime value. In short, transparency and respect aren't just good ethics—they're smart business.

Implementation Guide for Startups

Step 1: Audit Your Current Marketing

• Where can you add more emotional triggers?
• Do you show social proof effectively?
• Is your pricing structure simple?

Step 2: Run FOMO Experiments

• Test limited-time offers vs evergreen pricing
• Try different urgency messages
• See which message leads to more clicks, sign-ups, or sales

Step 3: Refine Based on Data

• Track which emotional triggers work best
• Optimize your most effective FOMO tactics
• Scale what works, kill what doesn't

The bottom line

Great products always solve a problem. Neuromarketing simply lets founders prove—rather than guess—whether their solution hits the brain’s sweet spot. Pair brain-based validation with FOMO, and you’ve got a growth engine that turns curiosity into clicks and clicks into conversions. The opportunity is enormous, but so is the responsibility. Startups that wield these tools with empathy and transparency will gain more than mere clicks; they will earn trust in a market where attention is scarce and FOMO is everywhere.

Your move: Will you keep using old marketing playbooks, or start leveraging how brains actually work?

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.

Noha Gad

In the high-stakes world of startups, where 90% of new ventures fail within the first few years, financial forecasting is not just a best practice; it is a lifeline. It is crucial for startups as it provides a clear roadmap for future growth by predicting revenues, expenses, and cash flows based on market trends and realistic assumptions.

Financial forecasting enables entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and manage cash flow, which is vital for survival in the early stages. Additionally, a well-prepared financial forecast builds investor confidence by demonstrating the startup’s potential for profitability and helps secure necessary funding.

Key components of startup financial forecasting

A well-prepared financial forecast typically includes the following elements: 

• Sales/revenue forecast.
• Expenses forecast.
• Cash flow projection.
• Profit and loss statement projection.
• Breakeven analysis.
• Balance sheet forecast.
• Market and pipeline analysis.

Why financial forecasting matters for startups

Financial forecasting is not about predicting the future perfectly; it is about creating a roadmap that helps startups navigate uncertainty, attract funding, and avoid fatal cash flow mistakes. Financial forecasting can help startups in:

• Investor confidence and fundraising. Investors and lenders demand data-driven clarity before committing capital. A well-structured forecast demonstrates market understanding, operational discipline, and scalability.
•  Cash flow survival. Startups fail because they run out of cash, not because they are unprofitable. Forecasting helps startups predict cash crunch periods, plan for contingencies, and align spending with milestones.
• Strategic decision-making. Financial forecasting enables startups in the pricing, hiring, and product development processes.
• Risk mitigation. Scenario planning, such as best-case or worst-case forecasts, prepares startups for economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, and competitive threats.

Consequences of poor financial forecasting

Poor financial forecasting in startups can have severe and wide-ranging consequences that threaten their survival and growth:

• Cash flow disruptions: Inaccurate forecasts can cause unexpected liquidity shortages or excess cash, forcing emergency borrowing at high interest rates or missed growth opportunities.
• Misallocation of resources: Startups may hire too many or too few employees, over-invest in equipment, or inefficiently allocate marketing budgets, leading to inflated costs and operational inefficiencies.
• Delayed strategic decisions: Lack of reliable forecasts causes hesitation in launching new products or entering markets.
• Regulatory and compliance risks: Inaccurate projections can lead to missed tax payments, non-compliance with debt covenants, fines, legal problems, and reputational damage.
• Over-optimistic revenue projections: Overestimating revenue growth creates false security, leading to overspending and negative cash flow, often resulting in financial distress.
• Lack of data and unrealistic assumptions: Startups frequently encounter difficulties in forecasting due to inadequate historical data, oversimplified growth assumptions, or a disregard for market realities, resulting in unreliable financial plans.
• Risk of running out of capital: Many startups fail within the first two years primarily due to poor financial management and running out of cash.

In conclusion, financial forecasting is an indispensable tool for startups navigating the precarious early stages of their journey. By providing a structured and realistic roadmap of revenues, expenses, and cash flows, it empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and maintain vital cash flow. Beyond operational benefits, a well-crafted forecast builds investor confidence and enhances fundraising prospects, which are critical for startup survival and growth. On the other hand, poor financial forecasting can lead to cash shortages, misallocated resources, delayed strategic moves, and ultimately, business failure. For startups aiming to defy the odds, investing time and effort into accurate, data-driven financial forecasting is not optional; it is essential.

Ghada Ismail

PARAGON is rethinking what workspaces can be. With smart design, built-in services, and a strong focus on community, its developments go beyond real estate; they support how people actually work and grow. At the center of this vision is WORK IN, a ready-to-operate workspace model built for startups and SMEs in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital.

“We’re not just imagining that future—we’re building it,” says Ahmed Shaarawy, VP of Commercial Affairs at Paragon Developments. In this interview, he shares how PARAGON is creating smarter, more sustainable workspaces and why the model is ready to scale beyond Egypt.

What workspace features do startups value most today, and how does WORK IN deliver on them?

Today’s startups and SMEs prioritize flexibility, scalability, operational efficiency, and access to value-added services—and WORK IN at PARAGON.3 was purposefully designed to meet these needs. Located in a prime spot in the heart of the New Administrative Capital’s Financial District—directly facing the Presidential Palace—WORK IN delivers more than just office space; it offers a fully integrated, future-ready regenerative space that embodies PARAGON’s core pillars: Design, Community, Innovation, and Sustainability. 

Paragon adopts a ready-to-operate model that eliminates barriers

Understanding the challenges startups face—such as limited resources, setup delays, and operational complexities—we created a ready-to-operate model that eliminates these barriers. WORK IN offers a range of smart, fully serviced office spaces between 15 and 50 square meters, allowing businesses to scale seamlessly as they grow. Each unit is supported by high-speed internet, reception services, printing facilities, relaxation lounges, and concierge assistance, all within a professional and adaptable setting.

What truly sets WORK IN apart is the comprehensive ecosystem built around it. Clients gain access to marketing, legal, and accounting services, giving them a competitive edge and allowing them to focus solely on growth. In addition, of course, to PARAGON HUB, which offers dynamic spaces for meetups, events, and endless networking opportunities.—empowering them to focus on growth while we handle the rest.

By integrating smart design, operational support, and community-building features, WORK IN is not only redefining modern workspaces—it’s shaping the future of professional environments in Egypt, fostering innovation, collaboration, and long-term business success.

What operational challenges did you overcome in launching a smart & sustainable workspace model? 

Launching a smart workspace model like WORK IN required overcoming a range of operational challenges, particularly within Egypt’s regulatory and infrastructure landscape. Implementing an intelligent, tech-integrated environment meant aligning multiple systems—from IoT-enabled sensors and centralized Building Management Systems (BMS) to user-facing mobile applications that enhance accessibility and control. Ensuring these technologies worked seamlessly required close collaboration with tech partners, construction teams, and regulatory bodies, all while maintaining our high standards of functionality, comfort, and sustainability.

At PARAGON, we turned these challenges into opportunities to innovate. By embedding sustainability and smart systems into every stage of development, we’ve created regenerative workspaces that not only meet global efficiency standards but are also tailored to the Egyptian context. Our strategic partnership with Schneider Electric has enabled us to deploy advanced energy-saving technologies that support occupant well-being while significantly reducing environmental impact. Today, all PARAGON buildings are LEED-accredited, and PARAGON 1 proudly holds a SmartScore Certificate, making it one of Egypt’s first truly smart and sustainable office buildings.

How does PARAGON HUB go beyond the workspace to create real growth opportunities for startups and SMEs?

PARAGON HUB goes far beyond the traditional workspace by serving as a growth platform and dynamic ecosystem for startups and SMEs. At its very core is the PARAGON Hub Physical Facility—a vibrant social space that brings people together beyond their office walls. It redefines the modern mixed-use workspace by creating a community-centered environment where collaboration, networking, and innovation intersect seamlessly across all PARAGON buildings.

More than just infrastructure, PARAGON HUB fosters a culture of connection and growth. Through curated events, mentorship opportunities, and knowledge-sharing sessions, it empowers members to build meaningful relationships and gain real insights that drive success. By blending physical space with business enablement, PARAGON HUB becomes not just where work happens, but where growth is made possible.

Do you see potential for a WORK IN-style model in Saudi Arabia’s growing startup hubs like Riyadh or NEOM? 

Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving urban landscape—particularly in innovation-driven hubs like Riyadh and NEOM—presents a strong opportunity for exporting the WORK IN model. These cities are fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs who require agile, tech-enabled, and fully serviced workspaces that support rapid growth. That’s exactly what WORK IN delivers.

Our core values align well with KSA’s national focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and economic diversification. With its emphasis on flexibility, smart infrastructure, and integrated support services, the model is well-suited to meet the needs of fast-scaling startups in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s national focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and economic diversification aligns closely with PARAGON’s core values: Design, Community, Innovation, and Sustainability.

We see strong potential to replicate and tailor WORK IN to the Saudi market—leveraging its scalable framework to contribute meaningfully to the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem while supporting its broader vision for future-ready, smart urban development.

With Paragon’s strong global sales, is Saudi Arabia part of your regional expansion plans?

Our expansion into Saudi Arabia and other Arab markets is a strategic step in PARAGON’s journey to become a regional leader in smart, sustainable development. These markets offer tremendous opportunities, especially in Saudi Arabia, where Vision 2030 is accelerating demand for innovative and integrated real estate solutions. There’s a growing appetite for high-performance, community-centered spaces that support economic growth and diversification.

We aim to complete 360,000 sqm of integrated mixed-use developments in Saudi Arabia

Looking ahead, Paragon is preparing to expand its footprint in Saudi Arabia by targeting the development and management of 200,000 sqm of office space by 2027, to reach 500,000 sqm by 2030 across key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.

By 2030, we aim to complete six development projects totaling 360,000 sqm of BUA, encompassing a diverse mix of medium-rise standalone offices and integrated mixed-use developments that blend workspace with retail and hospitality components. On the property management front, we plan to oversee 140,000 sqm across six projects, focusing on operational excellence, tenant satisfaction, and long-term asset value, offering flexible rental models tailored to market needs. While we target six projects per category, our development approach remains agile, adapting the number of projects as needed to meet BUA targets and optimize investment returns.

Paragon has integrated EV charging into its developments. How does this support Egypt’s clean mobility goals and broader sustainability strategy?

Paragon’s integration of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure directly supports Egypt’s clean mobility goals as outlined in the National Climate Change Strategy 2050. This national strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across sectors, including transportation, and promote the shift toward more sustainable, energy-efficient mobility solutions.

By embedding smart, accessible EV charging stations within its developments, Paragon is helping to lay the groundwork for an electric mobility ecosystem in Egypt. These efforts not only encourage EV adoption among residents and businesses but also demonstrate how private sector leadership can complement national sustainability initiatives.

Paragon’s approach aligns with the country’s long-term vision of reducing fuel dependency, minimizing environmental impact, and modernizing infrastructure through innovative, technology-driven solutions—positioning its projects as forward-thinking models for Egypt’s low-carbon future.

How do you envision the ideal workplace of the future in cities like Cairo?

The ideal workplace of the future in cities like Cairo is one that seamlessly blends technology, sustainability, and human-centric design to meet the evolving needs of a modern workforce. In a fast-paced, urban environment, professionals increasingly seek more than just a desk—they want dynamic spaces that enhance productivity, support well-being, and foster collaboration and innovation.

Our partnerships with global leaders like Schneider Electric, Signify, and Planon allow us to deliver intelligent ecosystems that support cognitive performance.

At PARAGON, this vision is already being realized. We believe the future of work lies in environments that prioritize people over physical structures. That’s why our developments are intentionally designed to deliver more than functionality—they’re built to empower users, stimulate creativity, and promote sustainable growth.

By integrating smart technologies such as IoT-enabled systems, advanced climate control, intelligent lighting, and user-customizable workstations, PARAGON creates interactive, responsive environments that adapt to how people actually work. Our partnerships with global leaders like Schneider Electric, Signify, and Planon allow us to deliver intelligent ecosystems that optimize energy use, improve air quality, enhance comfort, and actively support cognitive performance.

Sustainability is also a core component of the workplace of the future. PARAGON buildings are designed with eco-conscious infrastructure and certified green standards, including LEED and SmartScore certifications, ensuring long-term environmental responsibility and operational efficiency. Through features like biophilic design, better acoustics, and natural lighting, we improve both the mental and physical health of our occupants.

Ultimately, the workplace of the future must be adaptable, sustainable, and centered around the user experience. At PARAGON, we’re not just imagining that future—we’re building it. Our developments offer a blueprint for what smart, human-centric workplaces should look like in Egypt’s cities as they continue to grow and modernize.

Finally, what one piece of advice would you offer to real estate developers aiming to support entrepreneurship in Egypt?

My advice would be to design spaces that go far beyond physical infrastructure. In Egypt’s dynamic and fast-evolving entrepreneurial landscape, developers have a unique opportunity to create environments that actively support innovation and business growth. It’s not just about offering a desk or an office—it’s about building a community where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and thrive.

Startups flourish in ecosystems where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed, and support systems are in place. By offering flexible, scalable, and tech-enabled workspaces that adapt to different stages of business growth, developers can empower startups to focus on what really matters: building and scaling their ideas. At the same time, integrating sustainability into these developments helps future-proof their operations and aligns with broader environmental goals.

The WORK IN model at PARAGON can truly drive impact in Egypt’s startup ecosystem

But equally important are the intangible resources—access to mentorship, business development services, and meaningful networking opportunities. These elements are critical in helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges and accelerate their journey to success. This holistic, human-centric approach is what we’ve built into the WORK IN model at PARAGON, and it’s a framework that can truly drive impact in Egypt’s startup ecosystem.

Kholoud Hussein 

Launched in April 2016 under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman, Vision 2030 has reshaped Saudi Arabia’s economy, society, and international positioning. As of early 2025, the Kingdom has already surpassed many of its key targets:

• 93% of its nearly 400 third-level KPIs have been fully or partially met. 
• Over 85% of its 1,500+ strategic initiatives have been completed or are on track.

The non-oil economy now contributes around 45–50% of GDP, tourism visitor numbers have already exceeded 100 million annually, and female labour-force participation has reached ~33%—beating the 30% goal.

However, with 2030 deadlines looming, attention is turning to the next chapter: What lies beyond Vision 2030?

1. Why Saudi Arabia Must Look Beyond 2030

A. Surpassing the Finish Line, Not Crossing It

With high-level projects nearing completion (NEOM, the Red Sea resorts, Diriyah Gate) and many social reforms embedded in the system, Saudi Arabia now faces the question: How to sustain and build on this progress?

A recent Stratfor analysis addresses this: “As the finish line for Vision 2030 approaches... Saudi Arabia is paring back its ambitious megacity NEOM… focusing on successful reforms that have strengthened its diversification away from oil.”

This isn't abandonment, but rather a strategic reorientation: embed gains and recalibrate the most significant initiatives to ensure their viability.

B. Global Shocks and Domestic Realities

Geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices still shape the economic environment. Although non-oil growth has been robust (with real GDP growth projections of 4–4.6% in 2024–25), continued resilience requires adaptive economic and social frameworks beyond 2030.

2. Emerging Pillars of the Post-2030 Strategy

A. Institutionalizing Sustainability & Governance

Saudi authorities have prioritized sustainability and transparency—not merely through grand visions, but via process. The Saudi Green Initiative (massive afforestation, emissions cuts) is poised to continue as an ongoing environmental policy beyond 2030. Likewise, improvements in e-governance, fiscal discipline, and public-sector accountability (pillars of “Ambitious Nation”) are now being entrenched in long-term reforms.

B. Deepening Economic Diversification

• Manufacturing & Industry: Efforts to localize oil sector value-added (from 40% to 75%) signal broader industrial policy that must continue beyond 2030.
• Finance & Capital Markets: The Financial Sector Development Program, launched under Vision 2030, aims to reinforce Saudi Arabia as a global financial hub—a task set to continue in the next decade.
• Renewable Energy & Green Tech: From Sakaka solar and Dumat al Jandal wind farms, the next step involves scaling hydrogen, green ammonia, carbon capture, and R&D tied to the Supreme Committee on RDI.

C. Human Capital & Innovation

Efforts to elevate Saudis in STEM, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness reflect a shift from infrastructure-focused investment to talent-driven transformation. The Kingdom aims to channel 2.5% of GDP into research by 2040. Saudi universities and incubators (e.g., KAUST, SDAIA) are already positioned as keystones for this ambition.

3. Voices from the Kingdom

Busra Karacadag, OBG’s Country Director, framed the broader narrative: “This report captures Saudi Arabia’s bold strides in diversification, sustainability and global collaboration. Vision 2030 is a testament to the Kingdom’s resilience and capacity to lead on the international stage.” 

While Oliver Cornock, OBG’s Editor-in-Chief, conveyed: “Saudi Arabia’s focus on innovation and long‑term economic planning is helping to create a dynamic, future‑ready economy.” 

Both underscore that the real test will be maintaining this momentum after the headline-making projects conclude.

Similarly, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, and Fahad bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel, Minister of Health, emphasize infrastructure-led sustainability. Their stewardship is shaping a post-2030 environment grounded in healthcare resiliency, affordable housing, and tourism capacity, not just new investments.

4. Post-2030 Scenarios: What Could Come Next?

A. Transitioning to Vision 2040 or Vision 2050?

Given the success and nearing sunset of Vision 2030, it’s likely the Kingdom will launch a successor strategic framework—tentatively called Vision 2040 or Vision 2050—aimed at embedding earlier gains and tackling residual structural vulnerabilities.

Key areas:

1. Industrial Upgradation: Shift from manufacturing assembly to high-value, tech‑enabled production; e.g., smart vehicles, biotech, pharmaceuticals.
2. Energy Transition: From solar/wind to hydrogen-exporting, carbon-negative energy ecosystems.
3. Financial Ecosystem: Expansion through FinTech innovation, Islamic finance, and integration with global capital flows.
4. Human Sciences and Culture: Zoom in on R&D capacity, cultural exports, tourism beyond mega-sites.

B. Governance as Strategy

Saudi Arabia’s leap from wholesale reform to institutional maturity implies post‑2030 governance models with decentralized accountability, data-driven policymaking, community engagement, and digital transparency—all sustained through refreshed bureaucratic capabilities.

C. Global Engagement and Soft Power

Already during its G20 presidency and sporting diplomacy, Saudi Arabia has used culture and commerce to amplify its global voice. Post-2030 plans will likely expand on educational exchanges, cultural IP exports, Saudi-backed global universities, and multilateral peace/sustainability agendas.

5. Risks and Challenges Ahead

Despite its achievements, the Kingdom faces real challenges:

• Megaproject Sustainability: Scaling back NEOM or similar projects could disappoint investors, thus requiring recalibrated expectations and management frameworks.
• Oil Dependency Residuals: While non-oil GDP has grown, oil exports still finance public services and deficits. External shocks remain a key vulnerability.
• Youth Expectations and Social Balance: A young, digitally-native population demands further widening liberties, robust social contracts, and inclusive civic platforms.

The next strategic blueprint must squarely address these through economic resilience, a balanced social compact, and long-tail institutional endurance.

6. Blueprint for a Post-2030 Saudi Arabia

Here is a thematic breakdown of what Vision 2040 (tentative) might entail:

From Vision to Legacy

Vision 2030 has already reshaped Saudi Arabia’s economic structure, societal values, global posture, and timeline. As 2030 approaches, the Kingdom's challenge shifts from execution to sustainability, adaptation, and continuous renewal. A successor strategy—Vision 2040 or Vision 2050—will likely carry forward this spirit, reinforcing resilience, institutional maturity, and global soft power.

The next Saudi decade must reconcile grand transformation with durable governance. Will its institutions mature enough to absorb this change? Will its citizens sustain this reform?

In the following years, Riyadh must answer these fundamental questions. The success of Vision 2030 opens this critical chapter, and the real test now lies after the finish line.

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.

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.

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.