The Saudi Ministry of Investment, in a strategic partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), has launched an extensive eight-day workshop for the ScaleX program at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh. The initiative welcomes a specialized cohort of deep tech startups from the United States, Germany, China, Denmark, and Ireland, aiming to integrate these global innovators into the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Fostering Technology Transfer And Local Expansion
The program serves as a critical bridge between international tech enterprises and the Saudi private sector, aligning with the nation’s broader strategy to attract high-potential research and technology companies. Through comprehensive introductory sessions, participating founders are exploring sector-specific opportunities and engaging directly with government agencies to understand available investment enablers. This hands-on approach is meticulously designed to streamline the business setup process, empowering these deep tech startups to transfer their innovations, localize their technologies, and leverage Saudi Arabia as a strategic launchpad for regional and global expansion.
A Record Breaking Venture Capital Landscape
This strategic initiative capitalizes on the phenomenal, accelerated growth of the venture capital landscape within the Kingdom. In 2025, Saudi Arabia achieved a record-breaking $1.72 billion in venture capital funding, reflecting a year-over-year growth that more than doubled previous benchmarks. The ecosystem also witnessed a 45 percent surge in transaction volume, culminating in 257 deals that spanned across all funding stages. To continuously fuel this momentum, the Ministry of Investment’s Startup Saudi program has successfully licensed over 3,900 emerging companies over the past seven years, cementing the nation’s position as a premier destination for tech innovation and robust capital deployment.
About ScaleX
ScaleX is a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Saudi Ministry of Investment and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to attract and empower high-potential technology companies from around the world. Designed to connect global deep tech innovations with local investment opportunities and private sector partnerships, the program actively facilitates the localization of advanced technologies. Highlighting its tangible impact, ScaleX successfully guided six international companies to establish their operations and enter the Saudi market during 2025.
Source: Swift News
