When Mohammed Aldhalaan and Dr. Abdulaziz AlSaeed founded Noon Academy in Riyadh in 2013, they were driven by a personal mission to fix a gap they experienced firsthand in Saudi Arabia: a disconnect between motivated students and access to inspiring, high-quality education at scale. Their insight that students struggle from a lack of connection, not content, has since powered a social learning platform that has raised $62 million and reached over 16 million learners worldwide.
From Test Prep to a Social Learning Movement
Noon Academy began as a test preparation platform, addressing a clear demand for tutoring around critical exams in the region. However, the founders quickly noticed that students were using the platform not just for answers, but for interaction. They were asking each other questions, competing in quizzes, and forming organic study groups.
This observation led to a pivotal shift in 2017. Aldhalaan and AlSaeed redesigned Noon into a social learning platform built around peer-to-peer interaction and teacher guidance. Live classes became participatory, gamified quizzes fostered friendly competition, and study groups created a sense of community. The result was a dramatic increase in engagement, retention, and learning outcomes, proving their hypothesis that education scales best when students feel connected.
A Founder Dynamic Built for Scale
The company’s sustained growth is anchored by the complementary strengths of its founders. CEO Mohammed Aldhalaan, with a background in computer science and executive education from institutions like MIT and Stanford, drives the company’s vision, partnerships, and long-term growth.
COO Dr. Abdulaziz AlSaeed, who holds a PhD in Computer Science from Newcastle University, ensures operational excellence and sustainable execution. With deep roots in a family of educators, he grounds the company’s rapid expansion in a culture of empathy and trust, ensuring that student outcomes remain the primary focus.
Global Expansion and Regional Impact
Noon Academy now serves over 16 million learners across eight countries, with significant traction throughout MENA and South Asia. The platform’s expansion into India in 2021 became a standout success, attracting two million students and hitting $1 million in ARR within its first year, primarily from learners new to edtech.
The platform operates on two core models: online courses for high-stakes exams led by top-tier teachers, and a hybrid model that blends physical learning spaces with digital classrooms to expand access in underserved communities.
Aligning with Saudi’s Vision 2030
Noon’s trajectory is closely aligned with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on accessibility, quality of life, and human capital development. This synergy was formally recognized in 2023 when Noon Academy joined the Saudi Unicorns Program, cementing its status as a national-scale platform with the potential for global leadership.
The recognition has accelerated partnerships and public-sector engagement, allowing Noon to further leverage its vast dataset of learning interactions to personalize educational pathways for millions of students. The company’s ultimate ambition is to reach 120 million learners across emerging markets, driven by the belief that education is most powerful when it empowers students to lift each other up.
About Noon Academy
Founded in Riyadh in 2013, Noon Academy is a global social learning platform that aims to radically change the way people learn. By focusing on peer-to-peer interaction, gamification, and live, teacher-led classes, the platform creates a connected and motivational educational experience. Noon serves over 16 million students across MENA and South Asia through its online and hybrid learning models.
Source: Arab Founders
