The Startup Ecosystem of Riyadh

Riyadh has 77 startups in our sample database. This represents about 61% of Saudi Arabia’s startups. Riyadh is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.

CITY RANKING

In 2023, the startup scene of Riyadh developed considerably and increased in the Global Ecosystem Index by 99 spots.

National Ranking

1st
0
In Saudi Arabia

Regional Ranking

5th
+
2
In Middle East

Global Ranking

155th
+
99
Worldwide

Startups

Riyadh Top Startup Industries

Fintech icon
Fintech
#96 worldwide

18 startups

Ecommerce & Retail icon
Ecommerce & Retail
#106 worldwide

21 startups

Transportation icon
Transportation
#117 worldwide

5 startups

Ecosystem HealthCheck

Riyadh Ecosystem Health Check

The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Riyadh has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...

  • Overperformance
  • Performance equal to global ranking
  • Underperformance
ParameterParameter Global rankParameter rank change since 2022ResultContribution to total scoreRank gain / loss due to parameter
Total Score155994.181100%0
Quantity Score154-130.54713.07%-5
Sample size of startups201-10578.77%-29
Sample size of accelerators19214940%-2
Sample size of coworking spaces880650%-3
Community Score62-87-190.184.3%2

ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Riyadh

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Riyadh

Startups in Riyadh excel in Fintech, Ecommerce & Retail, and and Transportation. There are some notable success stories contributing to the city’s growing Fintech industry. One of the most promising startups in Riyadh in 2023 is stc pay, Tamara, and Foodics.

Global Rank

Riyadh is ranked within the top 200 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Riyadh’s startups excel particularly in Fintech where it ranks 96 and in Ecommerce & Retail, and Transportation. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Saudi Arabia - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal Score
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
Quantity Score
Quality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
155th
+
99
4.181
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
394th
-
9
0.846
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
545th
+
18
0.424
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Riyadh
stc pay startup icon
stc pay
Tamara startup icon
Tamara
Foodics startup icon
Foodics

Startups

Successful Fintech startups in Riyadh
stc pay startup icon
stc pay
Tamara startup icon
Tamara
Qoyod startup icon
Qoyod

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Riyadh's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Riyadh there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Fintech, Ecommerce & Retail, Transportation. These three industries represent about 57% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Riyadh.

1st

National Rank

5th

Regional Rank

Overview

Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's 1st best startup ecosystem and is ranked 5th in Middle East. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Riyadh is ranked 155th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including stc pay.

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