The SIDF Investment Company (SIC) announced it has entered as a strategic investor in the ‘Growth Catalyst Fund’, a private equity fund targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia.

As per a recent press release, the investment supports SIC’s strategy to expand its private equity portfolio and strengthen alternative investments linked to the industrial sector.

Growth Catalyst Fund focuses on profitable SMEs that have moved beyond the early stage but require additional capital and expertise to scale. The fund aims to bridge a financing gap between venture capital, which typically targets earlier-stage companies, and traditional bank financing.

Its investment model goes beyond providing capital, with a focus on improving operational efficiency, governance and strategic positioning. The goal is to transform founder-led businesses into more mature institutional companies capable of pursuing public listings, mergers or strategic transactions.

On this occasion, Fahad Al-Naeem, CEO of SIC, said the investment reflects the company’s commitment to partnering with private equity platforms capable of identifying promising industrial businesses and supporting their expansion.

Meanwhile, Turki Al-Dayel, co-founder and CEO of Growth Catalyst Investment Company, said the partnership demonstrates confidence in the fund’s model and its focus on transforming Saudi SMEs into larger, more institutional businesses.