Argaam OnPoint

In this episode of On Point by Argaam with Luca Barbi, COO and General Partner at STV, about the rise of Saudi venture capital, what global investors are looking for, and where the biggest opportunities still remain.They discuss the shift from early-stage startups to larger growth companies, the Series B funding gap, Saudi startups going global, and why scale, profitability and clear exit opportunities matter to international investors.A sharp look at what’s driving Saudi Arabia’s next phase of tech and investment growth.

In this episode of On Point, Wyatt Roy Former Australian Minister and Former Head of Innovation at NEOM, shares why he chose to stay in the Kingdom and build his next chapter in Saudi Arabia.
Drawing on his experience across government, innovation and the private sector, Wyatt explores how Saudi Arabia is moving from a resource-led economy towards a more diversified, innovation-driven model. He discusses the growing role of private capital, venture investment, entrepreneurship and giga projects, and why international investors are beginning to view the Kingdom not simply as a source of capital, but as a market in which to invest, build and scale.
The conversation also looks at what makes a truly business-friendly environment, how government and the private sector can work together to drive innovation, and why Saudi Arabia’s young population, long-term vision and rapidly developing ecosystem could shape its next phase of economic growth.
From NEOM to venture capital, this is a conversation about the people, capital and ideas driving Saudi Arabia’s next economic chapter and why Wyatt believes the transformation is still only at the beginning.

Julie Barbier, Founder and CEO of Merit, joins Somi Arian to discuss what it takes to build and scale a global technology company from Saudi Arabia. From fundraising, rapid market adoption and international expansion to M&A, AI and the future of engagement technology, Julie explains how the Kingdom has become a platform for innovation and global growth. She also shares Merit’s journey from a regional startup to a business operating across international markets, and why Saudi Arabia has played such a central role in that transformation. 

In this episode of Argaam OnPoint, Somi Arian speaks with Muhannd Qubbaj, Founding Partner at Olive Rock Partners, about what it actually takes to invest, scale and exit in the Saudi market.
The conversation explores why trust plays such a central role in GCC deal making, how founder-led businesses evolve as they scale, and where investors can underestimate challenges around management depth, governance and execution. Mohammad also explains why he sees Saudi Arabia as an increasingly sophisticated and institutionalizing market, rather than simply an “emerging” one.
From control investing and valuation tensions to stronger reporting, international investor interest and the growing importance of exit optionality, this episode looks at the mechanics behind Saudi Arabia’s maturing private equity ecosystem.

Jessica Wong, Founder and Managing Partner of ewpartners, joins us to discuss what international investors need to understand about Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving investment landscape. From localization and long-term partnerships to infrastructure, technology, and the rise of Saudi startups, Jessica shares what makes the Kingdom different from other global markets and why being on the ground matters. Drawing on years of investing across Asia and Saudi Arabia, she explains where the biggest opportunities are emerging and what global investors need to get right if they want to build and invest successfully in the Kingdom.

Maher Loubieh, CEO and Co-Founder of Hala, joins us to discuss the growth of Saudi Arabia’s fintech ecosystem and the huge opportunity emerging around small and medium-sized businesses.
From Hala’s journey from startup to scale-up, to raising international capital from investors including TPG, Maher explains how Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving financial infrastructure, regulatory environment and Vision 2030 ambitions are creating new opportunities for founders and investors.
The conversation also explores SME financing, the rise of cashless payments, Saudi Arabia’s advanced digital infrastructure, the future of AI in financial services, and Hala’s ambition to become the future bank for SMEs.
A fascinating look at how fintech, entrepreneurship and global capital are coming together in one of the world’s fastest-changing markets.

Annabel Mander, Executive Vice President at Tahaluf, joins us to discuss how Saudi Arabia has become a global destination for technology, investment and business expansion. From the rapid growth of LEAP and Money20/20 to the Kingdom’s rising influence across AI, fintech, gaming and sports technology, Annabelle explains what is attracting international investors, founders and global companies to Riyadh.
She also shares why access to decision-makers, strong local partnerships and being present on the ground are essential for succeeding in the Saudi market. The conversation explores the Kingdom’s speed, ambition, talent pool and ability to build category-defining platforms at a scale rarely seen elsewhere.
This episode offers valuable insight into how Saudi Arabia is creating long-term economic ecosystems and why investors looking for their next major growth market should be paying close attention.

Abdullah Khorami, Chief Business Officer at Salam, joins us to discuss how Saudi Arabia’s technology landscape is evolving beyond traditional telecom and into AI, cloud, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. From the role of telecom companies in enabling AI adoption to the importance of data, connectivity and local partnerships, Abdullah explains what it really takes to build and scale technology in the Kingdom.
He also shares why Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly attractive to international technology companies, how Vision 2030 is shaping investment decisions, and where he sees the biggest opportunities emerging across the digital economy.