Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, Monsha’at, is making a significant impact on the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem through its Tomouh program. Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has supported approximately 3,300 fast-growing companies, successfully guiding 40 of them to a public listing on the Nomu parallel market.
Quick Facts
- 40 supported companies listed on the Nomu market
- SAR 22B+ combined market capitalization
- SAR 5B+ in total investments attracted
Generating Billions in Revenue and Creating Jobs
The Tomouh program, designed for high-growth enterprises, provides a comprehensive support structure that has translated into substantial economic results. Collectively, the companies participating in the program have generated revenues exceeding SAR 38 billion, marking an impressive 19% year-on-year growth.
This financial success is matched by significant job creation. The workforce within these supported companies has expanded to over 99,000 employees, representing an 18% annual increase and highlighting the program’s role in building a robust national economy.
A Growth Blueprint for High-Potential SMEs
Tomouh specifically targets enterprises demonstrating an annual growth rate of 20% or more in either revenue or employee numbers. The program’s framework is built to help these companies access critical knowledge, financing, and new markets through a network of local and international partners.
The journey for a participating company begins with registration on the Tomouh platform, followed by a detailed diagnostic to identify development priorities. Each enterprise is then assigned a dedicated relationship manager to help craft and execute a tailored growth plan. This support system covers everything from operational efficiency and supply chain improvements to corporate governance and financial advisory, with a strong focus on IPO readiness.
During a recent event in Jeddah, several successful alumni shared their experiences, including media production house Telfaz11, HR solutions provider Qapita, and e-commerce enabler Zid.
Forging International Pathways
A key component of the program is facilitating global expansion. Tomouh has developed partnerships with international organizations like Endeavor and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to help Saudi companies build their presence in global markets. As part of this effort, the program sponsored a trip for more than 20 Saudi companies to Turkey to gain market insights and expand their international networks.
The program also connects startups with licensed export houses and facilitates participation in international trade shows and business-matching events, providing direct access to new commercial opportunities.
About Tomouh Program
The Tomouh program is an initiative by Saudi Arabia’s Monsha’at designed to accelerate the growth of the nation’s most promising small and medium-sized enterprises. It provides a specialized community and services that empower companies by giving them access to three core pillars: knowledge, new markets, and financing, with the ultimate goal of enhancing their competitive advantage and enabling national and international expansion.
Source: Jawlah
