The global fintech community has converged on Riyadh for the inaugural Money20/20 Middle East, a landmark event underscoring the Kingdom’s rapid emergence as a central hub for financial innovation. Running from September 15-17, the conference gathers over 45,000 attendees, 600 investors, and 450 brands, cementing its role as a critical platform for shaping the future of finance in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
A New Nexus for Global Finance
With the theme “Where Money Does Business,” the event has transformed Riyadh into a nexus for high-level discussions on the industry’s most pressing topics. Sessions across seven stages are set to explore AI in finance, embedded finance, regulatory harmonization, and inclusive innovation. The agenda is complemented by high-impact features like Venturescape, a dedicated platform for VC deal-making, and the MoneySurge20/20 Pitch Competition, which offers $400,000 in equity-free funding to promising startups.
Navigating the Capital Crossroads
The evolving funding landscape is a key conversation at the event. Armineh Baghoomian, MD at Partners for Growth, highlighted the critical role of alternative financing. “In markets like Saudi Arabia, equity can be overly dilutive,” she noted, explaining that growth debt offers a “flexible, founder-friendly alternative.” Baghoomian confirmed that Partners for Growth has already committed nearly $400 million to support innovative companies across the GCC, utilizing structured and Sharia-compliant facilities to fuel strategic growth without excessive dilution.
Building the Infrastructure for a Modern Economy
The conference also emphasizes the foundational technologies reshaping the region’s financial systems. Hisham Al-Falih, Co-founder and CEO of Lean Technologies, described the current moment as a shift where “fintech in the Middle East is moving from the sidelines to the very centre of economic transformation.” He pointed to open financial access and data-driven innovation as the bedrock of a modern economy, enabling companies to serve previously excluded segments like freelancers and consumers overlooked by traditional lenders.
Fueling Early-Stage Innovation
For early-stage founders, the event is a vital opportunity to connect with capital partners. Hasan Haider, Managing Partner at +VC, acknowledged that raising capital remains a significant pain point. “Too often it is slow, complex, and lacking in meaningful support,” he said. Haider explained that +VC’s model of investing with transparent terms and rapid decisions is designed to address this gap, citing the firm’s support for regional innovators like Saudi-based Capifly and UAE-based Holo.
Fostering an Inclusive Savings Culture
The tangible impact of fintech on financial inclusion is another prominent theme. Naif AbuSaida, founder of Hakbah, pointed to the region’s strong funding momentum, with H1 2025 fintech funding tripling year-over-year to $596 million. He highlighted the strong demand for digital savings solutions, noting that Hakbah has registered over 1.3 million users. “This momentum is helping to build, enable, and empower a new, fully inclusive savings culture in Saudi Arabia,” AbuSaida commented.
About Money20/20 Middle East
Money20/20 Middle East is a premier global event that brings together the entire financial ecosystem, including banks, payment providers, tech giants, startups, and investors. As part of the renowned Money20/20 series, the Riyadh edition serves as a catalyst for business, partnerships, and innovation, reflecting the Middle East’s growing importance in the global fintech landscape.
Source: Gulf Business
