Saudi Venture Capital (SVC)

Saudi Venture Capital (SVC)

Invests as a government-backed program in Saudi venture funds and co-invests with angels to expand startup financing.

Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC) was established by Monsha'at (General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises) in 2018 as part of Saudi Arabia's Financial Sector Development Program under Vision 2030. SVC operates as a government-backed fund-of-funds: it invests in venture capital and private equity funds focused on Saudi startups and SMEs, and co-invests alongside licensed angel investor groups to minimize the financing gap at early growth stages. As of January 2022, SVC had deployed SAR 1.3 billion of its SAR 2.8 billion target investment portfolio. One notable portfolio example is Jahez, the Saudi food delivery company, which received VC backing through SVC-supported channels and later completed a Nomu parallel market IPO valued at SAR 1.6 billion.

SVC does not accept direct grant or loan applications from individual startups. Access comes through SVC-registered VC funds or angel groups that participate in the co-investment program. Target sectors span technology-intensive industries including artificial intelligence, healthcare, energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Both Saudi-registered and regionally-focused funds are considered. Co-investment alongside angel groups typically targets earlier-stage companies than the fund-of-funds sleeve.

Companies seeking SVC-channel capital should first identify and connect with Saudi VC funds or accredited angel groups registered under the Saudi Capital Market Authority and Monsha'at's ecosystem. SVC's role is to increase the size and frequency of VC rounds by committing capital alongside private-sector general partners, thereby reducing concentration risk for fund managers and expanding the pool of capital available to startups. All instruments are equity or quasi-equity; there are no repayable loans or grants under this vehicle.