Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Venture capital funding for Saudi startups has surged from about $60 million in 2018 to more than $1.4 billion, marking over 21-fold growth in just five years.

This sharp increase reflects rising global confidence in the Saudi market and the expanding opportunities for startups in the Kingdom, according to Nabeel bin Abdulqader Koshak, CEO and Board Member of Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC).

Speaking during a panel at the Biban 2025 Forum in Riyadh, themed “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” Koshak highlighted the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s venture capital landscape, from its early beginnings to becoming one of the region’s most dynamic VC markets.

He added that since its establishment, SVC has helped build a comprehensive investment sector through two main models, supporting angel investor groups and early- and growth-stage venture capital funds, later expanding into private equity, venture debt, and private debt funds.

SVC has so far invested in more than 63 local, regional, and international funds that allocate part of their capital to startups and SMEs. The company continues to attract global funds from the U.S., Europe, and East Asia to invest in Saudi startups while also backing local funds focused on the Saudi and regional markets.

Koshak emphasized that ecosystem support is not limited to capital. SVC contributes to developing policies and regulations by working with government entities, participating in specialized committees, and issuing reports that outline challenges and propose solutions to enhance the investment environment.