Deals worth SAR 38 billion were struck at the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority’s (Monsha'at) Biban Forum 2025, held over four days in November under the theme "Global Destination for Opportunities" in Riyadh. The forum attracted over 100,000 visitors.

Monsha'at also honoured the top five entrepreneurial universities in the kingdom, along with winners of the event competitions and key financing entities for 2024. The forum included agreements with organisations from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, India, Sweden, and France, aimed at fostering international cooperation and investment. Over 200 local and international speakers participated in discussions on artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and finance, with attendees engaging in more than 80 workshops, 2,150 consultations, and 1,000 mentorship sessions.

The Biban Forum is one of the largest entrepreneurial platforms in the kingdom, focused on empowering entrepreneurs, supporting SMEs, and enhancing national economic competitiveness. Since its inception, the forum has served as a key meeting point for entrepreneurs, investors, decision-makers. It has enabled entities, featuring programmes that address all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey from establishment to growth. 

The deals come as Saudi Arabia sees a surge in SME activity. The latest  Monsha’at SME Monitor report shows more than 80,000 new commercial records were issued in the second quarter of 2025, bringing the total number of registered businesses in Saudi Arabia to 1.7 million. The report outlined key developments across the SME ecosystem, showcased support initiatives, and spotlighted the education sector as a promising area for private investment. 

E-commerce continued to expand, with 39,366 active records. Young entrepreneurs owned 38% of these businesses, while women accounted for 47%, underscoring the growing participation of both groups in entrepreneurial activity.

By region, Riyadh led with 28,181 new records (35.2%), followed by Makkah with 14,498 (18.1%), the Eastern Province with 12,985 (16.2%), and Qassim with 4,920 (6.2%). The remaining regions accounted for 19,416 new records (24.3%).

The report noted that investment opportunities in the education sector are estimated to exceed SAR 50 billion by 2030. SMEs make up about 98% of educational establishments, positioning them as the backbone of this sector. Women’s ownership in education reached 39.4%, reflecting their expanding leadership and investment roles.

VC ACTIVITY

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key driver of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) venture capital rebound, taking the top spot in deal activity for the first time as total regional funding for SMEs more than doubled, year on year. 

The country’s venture capital ecosystem saw strong growth in the first half of 2025. Start-ups in the kingdom raised SAR 3.225 billion across 114 deals, marking a 116% annual increase in total capital and a 31% rise in deal volume. Saudi Arabia accounted for 56% of all venture capital investment in MENA, with total funding expected to surpass SAR 3.75 billion by year-end, Monsha’at report noted.

Venture capitalists are also driving growth. According to Magnitt’s latest MENA Venture Investment Report, venture capital funding across the region reached USD 3 billion during the first nine months of 2025, registering a 109% year-on-year increase across 469 deals. 

Saudi Arabia recorded 173 transactions – a 38% year-on-year growth – making it the most active market in the region by deal count. Its ecosystem has benefited from the expansion of both early- and late-stage unding activity, supported by initiatives led by entities such as the Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), Jada Fund of Funds, and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP). These platforms have strengthened the pipeline for start-ups from seed to growth stages and attracted regional and international investors. The surge reflects renewed investor confidence and a maturing ecosystem driven by sovereign support and institutional participation.

While the UAE led in total funding value at USD 1.4 billion, Saudi Arabia’s growing share of transactions underscores the deepening maturity of its start-up ecosystem and its rising appeal as a venture investment destination. 

The third quarter was the strongest quarter on record for MENA venture funding, raising USD 1.2 billion – up 121% year on year. More than half of this capital came from mega deals, including the USD 157 million round raised by Saudi-based fintech firm Hala. The kingdom’s participation in large-scale transactions reflects investor appetite for scaling ventures and confidence in Saudi Arabia’s regulatory and financial environment. 

Saudi Arabia remains a focal point for fintech innovation, bolstered by government-backed initiatives promoting open banking, digital payments, and regulatory sandbox programmes under Vision 2030.