Saudi tech unicorns: Tamara, Tabby, Ninja
Three startups built in Riyadh, valued in billions
Thriving Economy pillar2 sourcesLast verified 2026-05-18
Hero metric
Saudi tech unicorns
3
2025Three startups built in Riyadh, valued in billions
Publishers include: Arab News · Argaam
The Story
Before
Saudi tech entrepreneurship was nearly invisible before Vision 2030. Fewer than 200 tech startups operated nationally in 2018.
Initiative
PIF, Saudi Aramco, and a wave of venture funds began deploying patient capital. Regulatory reforms made company formation simple and fast.
Outcome
Three Saudi-founded startups crossed unicorn valuation: Tabby ($3.3B), Tamara ($1B+), Ninja. All built in Riyadh, serving regional and global markets.
For citizens
High-skill technical jobs for young Saudis. Local products that Saudis themselves use. A signal that ambitious Saudi founders can build globally relevant companies from Riyadh.
Timeline of Milestones
2018
Fewer than 200 tech startups in Saudi Arabia
2022
Tamara reaches unicorn status ($1B+)
2024
Tabby valued at $3.3B; Ninja crosses unicorn threshold
Evidence library · 2 primary sources
Sorted by tier, newest first
Made-in-Saudi exports
A record SAR 624 billion in 2025
SAR 624B ($166B)
PIF: from sovereign fund to sector builder
Assets grew nearly 5× since 2016
SAR 3.41T
Global companies headquartered in Saudi
From 44 to 700+ in four years
700+
MENA's #1 venture market — Saudi startups, Saudi capital
$1.72B raised in 2025; +145% year on year; 257 deals (most in MENA)
$1.72B
Initiative attribution: PIF venture arm; Monsha'at SME support; National Technology Development Program; Saudi Aramco Ventures. Citizen benefit category: Economic empowerment.