The economy of Saudi Arabia is projected to grow by 4.8% in 2022. It is one of the top twenty economies in the world, and the largest economy in the Middle East. The country has the second largest proven petroleum reserves, and is the largest exporter of petroleum in the world. The country’s startup ecosystem has witnessed major growth in recent years, driven by greater foreign investment and government initiatives.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, startup investment in few sectors has been driven through new innovations and technologies in logistics, fin-tech, e-commerce and ed-tech. The Saudi Vision 2030 mandates a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem to increase SME GDP contributions from 20% to 35% by 2030. Startup development is one of the top priorities in Saudi’s Vision 2030, it aims to stimulate and diversify the economy by focusing on SMEs and entrepreneurs. The 2030 vision also plans to launch a network of incubators, accelerators, and workspaces in Saudi, as well as boosting SME financing at banks. Angel investors play a critical role in expanding the pipeline of investible businesses by providing early-stage ventures with essential resources including capital to bridge the funding gap and by sharing their expertise and networks to unlock business opportunities that facilitate growth.
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Top Angel Investors in Saudi Arabia
1. Musaab Hakami:
Musaab Hakami is the Chief Financial Officer at Sary, a B2B marketplace connecting small businesses with wholesalers and lenders to procure supply efficiently. He is an experienced Partner and Investor with a demonstrated history of working in the International Business & investment industry. Strong entrepreneurship professional graduated from King Saud University.
Sector: E-Commerce, Agri-Tech, Cloud Computing, Consumer Internet.
Portfolio: Farm Taaza, HoneyBee, Roger, Sarwa.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
2. Tuba Terekli:
Tuba Terekli is an international business development and investment expert with a focus on futurism, innovation, tech development and equity investments. She is an avid supporter of entrepreneurs across borders and an angel investor. She also serves on many for-profit and non-profit boards, locally and internationally. Her current roles are the Executive Advisor for Fakieh Group and GM of Avon Saudi Arabia and is the MENA Ambassador of the Women Entrepreneurship Day Organization.
Sector: Clean Technology, Consumer Internet, Healthcare, Enterprise Software.
Portfolio: Deleor, Ghurfah, Jibly, Nujeed.
Connect With Her: AngelList | LinkedIn
3. Mohammed Alzubi:
Mohammed Alzubi is the Founder and Managing Partner at Namma Ventures, a pre-seed / seed stage venture capital fund focused on fueling innovation in the MENA region, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed has over 23 years of experience in the Technology and Tech investment space. He is an active Angel investor, member of Sand Hill Angels (SHA), an Advisory Board member of LinkSV, Advisory Board member of kyube.com, and a founding board member of Techwadi.
Sector: Consumer Internet, Mobile, Games, Information Technology.
Portfolio: Sift, GrocerAPP, Starzly, Tarteeb.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
4. Vladimir Gidirim:
Vladimir Gidirim is the former Partner at Ernst & Young Middle East. He has advised local and multinational corporate clients on reducing their risks resulting from corporate structures and international transactions. He is well connected within the angels and VC community of the Bay Area in California. Vladimir runs a closed community of VC and angel investors called “The Garage Syndicate” which originally started mid-2020 as a media project for angel investors and startups.
Sector: Ed-Tech, Consumer Internet, Enterprise Software, Digital Media.
Portfolio: May Mobility, Pipefy, PlainID, Smile Identity.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
5.Nabeel Koshak:
Nabeel Koshak is the CEO and Board Member of Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC). He is the Founder and Angel Investor at Athaal Angel Investor Group. He is also a Board Member of Middle East Venture Capital Association (MEVCA). He is a member of the Investment Committee of KAUST’s Innovation Fund. Nabeel Koshak is a startup mentor at Endeavor Saudi Arabia.
Sector: Ed-Tech, Fin-Tech, Urban Mobility, SaaS.
Portfolio: ENWAY, Calm, Headout, Meenta.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
6. Jamal Al-Dabal:
Jamal Al-Dabal is the Managing Partner at DHV Partners. He has actively invested in more than 200 early-stage market disrupting technology startups globally. Jamal Al-Dabal is a mentor & a member of the local selection panel of Endeavor Saudi Arabia. He is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Sana Tourism.
Sector: Fin-Tech, Ed-Tech, SaaS, Halal Crypto, Artificial Intelligence.
Portfolio: STUDIO, VISPA, Warmly, Tripdizer.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
7. Khaldoon Tabaza:
Dr. Khaldoon is the Founder & Managing Director of iMENA Group. In the last 25 years, he has pioneered the development of the regional technology venture capital ecosystem in the MENA region as a founder, investor, and advisor. Khaldoon was a founder at Arabia.com (first venture backed online business in MENA), Arab Advisors Group, NetAdvantage, OneCard, Riyada Ventures, and Impact MENA.
Sector: Mobile Commerce, Classifieds, E-Commerce, Fin-Tech.
Portfolio: Telr.com, Akhtaboot, Opensooq.com.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
8. Yaser Alosefer:
Yaser Alosefer is the Co-Founder and Cyber Leader at Holding.VC, an information and technology service company based in Dubai. He is also the Co-Founder of Musbah Technology, a firm that is considered as one of the leading Start-up companies in the region that is capable of building any tech solutions from scratch by investing in new systems and algorithms by their experience team in all the computer science fields.
Sector: Mobile, Cloud Computing, Ed-Tech, Cyber Security.
Portfolio: Musbah Technology, Dr:Weby, Snapjobs, MasarOnline.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
9. Basem Al Sallom:
Basem Al Sallom is the Managing Director and CEO of Sure International Technology, a firm that provides several technical solutions in the field of technology and information security , Internet and Intranet Portals, e-Governments Solutions System Integration , and IT infrastructure systems. He is an executive leader with Business Management, Digital transformation & International business experiences.
Sector: Ed-Tech, Mobile Payments, Digital Health.
Portfolio: Because Learning, Blue Jeans Network, Denarii Cash.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
10. Khaled AL-Mughrabi:
Khaled AL-Mughrabi is the Member of Entrepreneurs Organization (E.O), a business network of 11,000+ business owners in 153 chapters and 48 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO enables small and large business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Khaled AL-Mughrabi is an active angel investor.
Sectors: Clean Technology, Consumer Internet, Enterprise Software, Healthcare.
Portfolio: abjjad, Cabify, Jobedu, Pavegen.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
11. Nadeem Bakhsh:
Nadeem Bakhsh is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hala Yalla, the most exciting Saudi technology company with global scale and reach, disrupting the industry of Entertainment, Tourism and Sports. He has a strong international professional and academic background in leadership, business, technology, experience, product vision, strategy and management. Nadeem Bakhsh has also been a Founder and Board Member of UXBERT Labs.
Sector: Travel & Tourism, Fitness, Mobile, Location Based Services.
Portfolio: Agool, Sawwagy, Kafu Games, Koora.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
12. Tarad Alhasan:
Tarad Alhasan is the Founder and CEO of Thara Information Financial Consulting Advisory, a consulting advisory firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has also been a Senior Associate at IMPACT 46, an asset manager and advisor specialized in alternative investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Tarad Alhasan is a strong finance professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Finance and Financial Management Services from Suffolk University – Sawyer School of Management.
Sector: E-Commerce, Marketplace, Travel & Tourism, Fin-Tech, Healthcare.
Portfolio: Speero, Telgani, The Chefz, Maya Clinic Application.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
13. Ahmed Al Alola:
Ahmed Al Alola is the Deputy CEO of THIQAH Business Services. He has been leading the core team responsible for digital transformation for its partners in the government and private sector. Ahmed Al Alola is also the Board Member AHAD Business Services. He remains active in the start-up scene and is a board member of various reputable institutions and Ahmed holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School.
Sector: E-Commerce, Food & Beverage, Consumer Internet.
Portfolio: Sary, Nana, Zeem, Banoon.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
14. Hani Abdulhadi:
Hani Abdulahdi is the Vice President of Lamar Holding, a firm specializing in developing and operating projects across the Saudi energy market. He has over a decade’s experience across the construction and energy industries, which has allowed him to combine his technical expertise with a unique understanding of the Saudi energy market. Hani Abdulahdi is also the Executive Board Member of Digital Financial Solutions.
Sector: Real Estate, Information Technology, Consumer Internet, Energy.
Portfolio: Devaya, Lamar Holding, TechAdvance.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
15. Sulaiman A. Mirdad
Sulaiman A. Mirdad is a seasoned information and communications technology (ICT) international executive, who has enjoyed more than 30 years of professional experience in the US and the Middle East. He has had a successful track record building and managing highly performing teams and organizations, in both the public and private sectors. Sulaiman A. Mirdad is Currently leading Lebara Mobile KSA, one of the largest Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) in the region, working with the leadership team to streamline the operations and diversify the business.
Sectors: Mobile, Location Based Services, Ed-Tech, Consumer Internet.
Portfolio: Emoquo, Hiver, EncycloKidia, Image Dental.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
16. Mohamed Elbeheiry:
Mohamed Elbeheiry is the Vice President of Sales at WakeCap. He is an entrepreneur and sales expert in digital transformation, e-commerce, smart city, and IoT solutions. Mohamed has more than 12 years of experience and extensive knowledge of technical sales, strategic account management, and business development, with a proven record of developing strategic plans and coaching teams. Mohamed is an MBA candidate at IUBH- Germany and has a PGDip and Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication and Information Engineering.
Sector: E-Commerce, Internet of Things, Big Data, Consumer Internet.
Portfolio: 100100 Store, Kazatech Integrated Solutions, Expressline Technology.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn
17. Abdulrahman Tarabzouni:
Abdulrahman Tarabzouni is the CEO and MD of Saudi Technology Ventures, a venture capital firm backing the region’s most exciting and disruptive technology companies. Previously, held executive leadership roles at Google’s headquarters in California. Headed the company’s global efforts to build new businesses and partnerships for Android, Mobile, and Wireless Communications. He is also the Founding Chairman of Saudi Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
Sector: Fin-Tech, Artificial Intelligence, E-Commerce, Marketplace.
Portfolio: Intelmatix, Unifonic, Tabby, Sabbar.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
18. Omar A. Almajdouie:
Omar A. Almajdouie is the Founding Partner of Raed Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in seed and early-stage startups in Saudi Arabia and MENA. He is the Vice Chairman of Saudi Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. Omar earned his BBA degree from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. He is also the Board Member of MAJD Invest.
Sector: B2B, Marketplace, Fin-Tech, Mobile Games.
Portfolio: Trella, Tweeq, Lean Technologies, Foodics.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
19. Talal Alasmari:
Talal Alasmari is the Founding Partner of Raed Ventures, a firm investing in seed and early-stage startups in Saudi Arabia and MENA. He is also the Co-Founder of Tarmeez, an application design and development company specializing in producing innovative and usable mobile and web applications. Talal Alasmari has been an active angel investor.
Sector: E-Commerce, Fin-Tech, SaaS, Consumer Internet.
Portfolio: Sary, SimpliFi, Tweeq, Opontia.
Connect With Him: LinkedIn
20. Eng. Abdulrahman Bin Ghaith:
Abulrahman Bin Ghaith is an Agricultural Engineer and Environmentalist. He is the Business Development Executive at Studio X, a marketing and advertising agency based in Dubai. Abdulrahman is an angel investor, he actively invests in startups and Real Estate. He is also the Digital Transformation Specialist at Hamat Holding.
Sector: Fin-Tech, Marketplace, Banking, Consumer Internet.
Portfolio: Eat Just, Drivelah, Bnext, Nextdoor.
Connect With Him: AngelList | LinkedIn