MENA startups raised $172.6 million across 45 deals in July, up 16% month on month. Saudi Arabia took $106.6 million across 16 deals, 62% of the regional total. The UAE raised $46.6 million, also across 16 deals, followed by Syria at $10.6 million, Egypt $7.25 million and Morocco $2 million. Saudi Arabia and the UAE together accounted for roughly 89% of all capital raised. Notable rounds: RIME's $2 million seed led by Seedra Ventures, a strategic investment into MOZN from Humain, and an "A-" rating assigned to Tamara by Simah.
Saudi's 62% resulted from larger investments on the same number of deals in a regional pool of only $172.6 million, the move is to compete for strategic capital, not to chase a VC market this small.
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SAR 4.98 billion to small firms
Financing to micro, small and medium enterprises through the SME Bank's programmes rose 11.4% to SAR 4.98 billion in Q2 2026, from SAR 4.47 billion a year earlier. The cumulative total through indirect lending and the Kafalah guarantee programme reached about SAR 139 billion since 2006, reaching more than 145,000 businesses, and Riyadh region took 44.4% of it.
Since Q2 lending increased to SAR 4.98 billion, the SME product head should focus more on promoting guaranteed loans in regions outside Riyadh, where their share is still low.
Fifty billion in facilities
Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail said the Kingdom's facility management market has surpassed $50 billion, driven by urban expansion and national projects including preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He was speaking at the third International Facility Management Conference and Exhibition in Riyadh, which drew more than 200 public and private entities.
This market grows through operating budgets rather than capital budgets. Therefore, owners of Saudi facilities services firms should pursue multi-year contracts instead of bidding on individual projects.
Two hundred forty-four million, committed
Derayah committed SAR 244 million to a fund investing in artificial intelligence, enterprise software and advanced technologies, paying 40%, SAR 97.5 million, on 28 August, with the remaining 60% due over 24 months. The fund targets SAR 4.5 billion and is capped at SAR 5.62 billion, with roughly 15 portfolio companies expected.
SAR 244 million has been committed to a SAR 4.5 billion fund that will support approximately 15 companies. The selection of the Saudi AI cohort is currently underway.
