Saudi IPO ambitions rise as 77% of founders weigh listings
A new report reveals growing confidence among startup founders in Saudi Arabia's capital markets.
About 77 percent of startup founders in Saudi Arabia are considering an initial public offering, with 91 percent favoring a domestic listing on the Saudi Exchange.
This surge in IPO ambitions reflects the Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy and deepen capital markets as part of Vision 2030, reducing dependency on oil revenue.
The study, "From Startup to IPO: Strengthening the IPO Pipeline in Saudi Arabia," was released by Endeavor Saudi Arabia in partnership with Saudi Venture Capital Co. It highlights a growing pipeline of companies preparing for public markets as the Kingdom's private capital ecosystem matures.
The report points to an increased number of firms being built to meet the scale, governance, and operational standards required for listing.
Nora Alsarhan, deputy CEO and chief investment officer at SVC, stated that these indicators show the accelerated development of Saudi Arabia's private capital ecosystem due to cumulative efforts.
Elements contributing to this growth include improved regulatory frameworks, increased early-stage capital deployment, and enhanced company readiness.
The rising number of entrepreneurs planning to list on Tadawul indicates growing confidence in the Saudi Exchange as a platform for long-term growth and value creation.
Lateefa Alwaalan, managing director at Endeavor Saudi Arabia, emphasized that this evolution shows founders are increasingly building companies with the scale, structure, and ambition required to access public markets.
While momentum is positive, the report highlights areas for further development, such as strengthening institutional capabilities in governance and strategy, addressing IPO-related costs, and improving access to growth-stage capital.
In January, a Markaz report revealed that Saudi Arabia strengthened its role in the Gulf Cooperation Council's IPO market in 2025, raising $4.1 billion in proceeds, the highest in the region.
This surge in IPO ambitions reflects the Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy and deepen capital markets as part of Vision 2030, reducing dependency on oil revenue.
The study, "From Startup to IPO: Strengthening the IPO Pipeline in Saudi Arabia," was released by Endeavor Saudi Arabia in partnership with Saudi Venture Capital Co. It highlights a growing pipeline of companies preparing for public markets as the Kingdom's private capital ecosystem matures.
The report points to an increased number of firms being built to meet the scale, governance, and operational standards required for listing.
Nora Alsarhan, deputy CEO and chief investment officer at SVC, stated that these indicators show the accelerated development of Saudi Arabia's private capital ecosystem due to cumulative efforts.
Elements contributing to this growth include improved regulatory frameworks, increased early-stage capital deployment, and enhanced company readiness.
The rising number of entrepreneurs planning to list on Tadawul indicates growing confidence in the Saudi Exchange as a platform for long-term growth and value creation.
Lateefa Alwaalan, managing director at Endeavor Saudi Arabia, emphasized that this evolution shows founders are increasingly building companies with the scale, structure, and ambition required to access public markets.
While momentum is positive, the report highlights areas for further development, such as strengthening institutional capabilities in governance and strategy, addressing IPO-related costs, and improving access to growth-stage capital.
In January, a Markaz report revealed that Saudi Arabia strengthened its role in the Gulf Cooperation Council's IPO market in 2025, raising $4.1 billion in proceeds, the highest in the region.
