Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Riyadh is rapidly emerging as a leading startup ecosystem, supported by the Vision 2030 initiative, increasing venture capital, and the business-friendly environment that positions the Saudi capital as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The “Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 (GSER 2025),” released by Startup Genome, revealed that Riyadh was ranked third among the top emerging ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, following Dubai. The Saudi city had the most significant growth in the region, moving up from the 51-60 range in 2024 to the 21-30 range among the emerging ecosystems, fueled by major growth in exits over $50 million.

Additionally, the GSER 2025 noted that artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data became the fastest-growing sub-sector with a 33% increase in VC funding, accounting for 40% of all global VC investment, up from 26% in 2021.

JF Gauthier, Founder and CEO, Startup Genome, said: “The future belongs to nations and cities that combine bold vision with new AI-native startup policy action to hitch the AI wave. In response, Startup Genome is launching a global entrepreneurial AI policy coalition to support ministries and agency leaders.”

The GSER leverages the largest quality-controlled dataset in the industry, analyzing data from over 5 million companies across 350+ entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems. It provides insights on key trends, investment flows, and policy strategies driving entrepreneurial success.

The 2025 edition provides actionable guidance for policymakers, ecosystem leaders, and founders to develop evidence-based strategies that strengthen startup communities - the world’s most powerful engine of job creation and economic growth.