Lendo
A Sharia-compliant debt crowdfunding platform that finances small and medium businesses through individual and institutional investors
Lendo is a Saudi debt crowdfunding platform that launched in Riyadh in 2019. In 2022 it received the first Saudi Central Bank license for this activity. It says it has financed more than 5 billion riyals across more than 11,000 deals.
What does Lendo do?
Lendo offers small and medium businesses short-term Sharia-compliant financing, mostly against deferred sales invoices. It is funded by individual investors starting from 1,000 riyals, alongside financial institutions. It launched inside the Saudi Central Bank's sandbox in 2019, then received its full license in March 2022. Its revenue has grown fast, but it posted a net loss in 2025 as the loss ratio on the platform rose.
Products
Invoice financing, purchase order financing, working capital and term financing, structured as tawarruq or murabaha
An app for individual investors to fund business opportunities starting from 1,000 riyals, manually or through auto-invest
Key features
- Sharia-compliant financing structured as tawarruq and murabaha
- Investing from 1,000 riyals for individuals residing in Saudi Arabia
- Internal risk rating for each opportunity, from A to D
- Joint financing programs with entities such as Monsha'at and the SME Bank
- The Series B was led by Sanabil Investments, which is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), for an undisclosed minority stake
- Disclosed equity funding is only about $35.2 million, while debt facilities are much larger, including $690 million from J.P. Morgan
- It posted a net loss of 5.46 million riyals in 2025, and its cumulative loss ratio on the platform rose from 0.80% (June 2024) to 3.19% (September 2025)
- The licensed Saudi company is 60% owned by Lendo Inc, registered in the Cayman Islands, and 40% by Osama Alraee, according to audited financial statements
- Its valuation has not been disclosed in any round, and it is not a unicorn
The documentary
It raised only $35 million from investors, and JPMorgan gave it facilities of $690 million.
Follow the channel so you don’t miss itFunding rounds
| Round | Date | Amount | Lead | Investors | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murabaha facility (SAR 187.5M) (Debt financing) | September 2025 | $50M | Jadwa Investment | Jadwa Investment | Source |
| Warehouse facility (Debt financing) | January 2025 | $690M | J.P. Morgan | J.P. Morgan | Source |
| Series B | December 2023 | $28M | Sanabil Investments | Sanabil Investments, Shorooq Partners, AB Ventures | Source |
| Series A | March 2021 | $7.2M | Derayah Ventures | Derayah Ventures, Seedra Ventures, Shorooq Partners, 500 Startups, Impact46 | Source |
Key investors
Founders
Common questions about Lendo
What is Lendo?
A Saudi debt crowdfunding platform that finances small and medium businesses with Sharia-compliant financing funded by individual and institutional investors.
Is Lendo licensed?
Yes. It received Saudi Central Bank license No. 61/AC/202203 on March 15, 2022, the first debt crowdfunding license in the Kingdom.
How much has Lendo raised from investors?
About $35.2 million in two rounds: a $7.2 million Series A in 2021, and a $28 million Series B in 2023 led by Sanabil.
Is Lendo profitable?
It made a profit in 2023 and 2024, then a net loss of 5.46 million riyals in 2025, and a small profit in the first half of 2026.