Saudi venture funding falls 29% in the first nine months of 2026

MAGNiTT's Q3 update shows startups in Saudi raised about $1 billion across 113 deals in the first nine months of 2026.

• Funding value: Down 29% compared with the same period in 2025
• Deal count: Down 39%
• Mega deals: Two deals worth $563 million, or 56% of total value
• Excluding mega deals: Value fell 50%, roughly back to the level of the first nine months of 2024
• Series A: Deal count down 17%, which the report describes as relatively stable
• Investors: Active investors down 26%, and international investor participation down 51%, though international capital remained the main source of funding

What it means for founders in Saudi

The numbers show a tighter early-stage market, with much of the value going to just two deals. If you plan to raise in the coming months, budget for a longer process, focus on active local investors, and bring clear revenue numbers rather than relying on the story.

Sources: Entarabi.