Riyadh Climbs 60 Places Amongst Top 100 Emerging Startup Ecosystems

Riyadh has been ranked 23rd in Startup Genome’s 2025 ‘Global Startup Ecosystem’ report, marking a dramatic rise of 60 positions over the past three years. The Saudi capital now stands among the top 100 emerging startup ecosystems globally and holds the second-highest position in the MENA region.

According to the report, Riyadh placed third regionally in funding volume and fourth in talent availability—two key indicators of ecosystem strength. The city’s rise has been fuelled by high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital health, and infrastructure—core areas aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy for economic diversification.

The ecosystem’s progress also reflects a growing number of significant venture exits, including the notable $1.1 billion exit of insurtech company Rasan. These exits signal investor confidence and a maturing venture environment.

Public-sector institutions such as Monsha’at, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, continue to play a pivotal role by promoting regulatory reforms, supporting accelerator programmes, and building infrastructure that supports long-term innovation and entrepreneurship.

Startup Genome’s 2025 report analysed data from more than five million startups across 350 ecosystems worldwide. Riyadh’s strong showing reflects its accelerating maturity, increased access to capital, and robust infrastructure development. Since 2018, Riyadh’s startup ecosystem has attracted more than $2.6 billion in venture capital investment. With growing momentum in digital innovation and government support, the city is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global tech landscape, challenging traditional hubs from Silicon Valley to Singapore.