Saudi’s KAUST-Backed Startups Raise Over $1B in 2025
New global venture partners and cross-border activity signal a maturing deep-tech ecosystem gaining traction across markets internationally today and beyond.
Startups emerging from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have now raised more than $1 billion in cumulative funding, while generating approximately $925 million in revenue and creating 6,661 jobs, according to newly released figures. Portfolio valuations collectively exceed $2 billion.
The university noted that $150 million of this investment was secured in 2024 alone, signalling growing investor appetite for Saudi-based deep-tech ventures.
KAUST Innovation Ventures, the institution’s investment arm, operates a co-investment model with both domestic and international venture capital firms, converting university-driven research into commercially competitive companies positioned for regional and global expansion.
Notable portfolio companies highlighted in the report include Rimrubber, which provides on-demand tyre replacement services across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, and iStoria, an English-language learning app aimed at non-native speakers across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
The funding achievements were presented at Spectrum 2025, KAUST’s flagship investor and startup showcase in Riyadh, organised in partnership with global VC firms including Wa’ed Ventures, 500 Global and Antler. The event featured 29 startups and 40 investment firms under the theme 'Discover. Connect. Invest.'
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