The number of foreign startups licensed under the Entrepreneur License by the Ministry of Investment in Saudi Arabia reached 550 companies by mid-2025, marking a 118% increase compared to the same period last year.

This remarkable growth reflects national efforts to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for entrepreneurship by facilitating market entry for foreign startups and offering a flexible regulatory environment that fosters innovation and attracts investment.

In parallel, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority "Monsha’at" issued 364 licenses for business incubators and accelerators across the Kingdom. These entities have played a pivotal role in attracting international entrepreneurs, supporting them throughout their launch and growth stages by providing a nurturing environment for prototype development, mentorship, and connections to investors and market partners, helping them establish a strong foothold in the Saudi market.

Flagship international events hosted by the Kingdom, such as Biban and LEAP, have also contributed to drawing entrepreneurs from around the world by highlighting the attractiveness of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and its vast investment opportunities.
Meanwhile, Saudi participation in major global events like Web Summit, VivaTech, and Slush has expanded networking opportunities with international entrepreneurs and strengthened the Kingdom’s image as a thriving startup destination.

This accelerating growth underscores the growing confidence of global entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia’s startup and investment landscape, fueled by progressive regulations, advanced digital infrastructure, and a range of empowerment programs launched in support of Vision 2030.

The Entrepreneur License, designed to facilitate startup registration and investment, is a key initiative by the Ministry of Investment. It aims to empower stakeholders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, both local and international, to establish ventures easily alongside global partners, in line with Saudi Arabia’s drive to diversify the economy, boost innovation, and foster an entrepreneurial culture under Vision 2030.