Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, has achieved a major milestone in the global entrepreneurship arena, climbing an impressive 60 places to secure the 23rd position in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025. The annual report, published by Startup Genome in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, evaluates the performance of emerging startup ecosystems worldwide.
This ranking places Riyadh among the top 100 rising startup ecosystems globally and represents one of the most significant advancements over the last three years. This growth indicates Riyadh’s emergence as a rising global startup hub, supported by notable advancements in venture capital activity, infrastructure development, and innovation capacity. The Kingdom’s progress has been largely driven by government support through strategic reforms and initiatives, particularly those led by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at).
Monsha’at has played a pivotal role in cultivating a dynamic and integrated entrepreneurship ecosystem. By launching targeted programs to accelerate startup growth, streamlining regulations, and improving access to funding, Riyadh has helped position itself as a competitive player on the global stage. These initiatives are designed to boost the sector’s contribution to the national GDP, aligning with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia now ranks second in the MENA region for overall startup ecosystem performance. It also ranks third globally in funding volume and investment value relative to impact and fourth in talent and skills availability, highlighting the strength of its human capital and investor confidence.
Several high-growth sectors have helped Riyadh thrive, most notably artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital health, and infrastructure technologies. These industries are not only crucial for the Kingdom’s plan to go digital, but they are also important for the region’s economic growth.
The report highlights Riyadh’s growing appeal for investors, accelerators, and entrepreneurs from both domestic and foreign markets. With a rapidly growing digital economy, better access to funding, and strong policy support, the city is well-positioned to become one of the top innovation hubs globally in the coming years.
