Riyadh Ranks 23rd Globally in Startup Ecosystem 2025

Photo: SPA

Saudi Arabia has reached a big milestone in the world of startups. Riyadh, the country’s capital, has moved up 60 places in just three years to become the 23rd best emerging startup hub in the world. This achievement was highlighted in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025, released by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

This progress shows how quickly Saudi Arabia is growing in the field of entrepreneurship. The country has made major improvements in startup funding, infrastructure, innovation, and technology. A big reason for this success is the strong support from the government, especially through Monsha’at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority.

Monsha’at has played a key role in helping new businesses grow by creating programs and policies that support startups and improve laws for entrepreneurs. All these efforts aim to boost the contribution of startups to the country’s economy, which is one of the main goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The report also shared that Saudi Arabia is now the second-best performer in the Middle East and North Africa for startup ecosystems. It ranks third in the amount of funding raised and investment impact, and fourth in terms of skills and talent availability. This makes the Kingdom a strong place for attracting and keeping top startup talent.

Some of the fastest-growing sectors in the country include artificial intelligence, FinTech, cybersecurity, smart cities, infrastructure, and digital health. These areas are helping shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s economy and are key to its ongoing transformation.