Muhammed Shabreen

Building SaaS in UAE demands a different approach, few notes from my journey. In my journey from founding a fruit subscription startup to leading product at a SaaS company in the UAE, I've learned that success often means challenging conventional wisdom. Today, I'm kicking off a series where I'll share my experiences on building, launching, and reaching Product-Market Fit (PMF) in the UAE's unique SaaS landscape. Let's start with a counter-intuitive strategy that's crucial in our market: 1. Lean, But Premium : Myth: Startups need large teams to succeed. Reality: In the UAE, small, high-impact teams win. Here's why and how to build one. In Dubai's SaaS landscape, the adage "less is more" couldn't be truer. Here's why lean teams excel: Cost Efficiency: Dubai's high cost of living means each hire is a significant investment. A lean team keeps burn rate low, extending your runway. Agility: Smaller teams pivot faster, crucial in Dubai's rapidly evolving market. Decision-making is streamlined, allowing quick responses to customer feedback. Focus: With limited resources, you're forced to prioritize ruthlessly. This laser focus often leads to superior product-market fit. Building Your High-Impact Team: Hire T-shaped professionals: • Look for individuals with deep expertise in one area but broad capabilities. • Example: A full-stack developer with UI/UX skills. Prioritize cultural fit: • In a small team, each personality significantly impacts dynamics. • Seek those who thrive in ambiguity and wear multiple hats. Invest in the best: • It's better to have one exceptional developer than three average ones. • Top talent often delivers 10x the results, justifying higher compensation. Leverage Dubai's diverse talent pool: • Tap into the rich mix of global experiences available in Dubai. • This diversity often leads to innovative problem-solving. Create a culture of ownership: • When each team member feels like a co-founder, productivity soars. • Implement profit-sharing or equity options to align interests. Remember, in Dubai's SaaS scene, it's not about headcount—it's about impact. A lean, premium team can outperform larger competitors, driving innovation and growth in our unique market. This is just the first of five key strategies I've seen drive SaaS success in the UAE. Over the next few days, I'll be diving into: 2. Founders as Sales Champions 3. Strategic Outsourcing 4. Perfecting Local Before Global 5. The High-Polish MVP Bonus: The 2-Step Value Proposition How to retain users by delivering core value almost instantly. Whether you're a founder, a product leader, or just curious about the UAE tech scene, I hope you'll join me on this journey. What's been your experience with team building in the UAE?Does this resonate, or have you found a different approach works better? Let's discuss in the comments. #UAETech #SaaS #StartupStrategy #ProductManagement #Founders

11

Seeing a trend of more e-commerce firms selling ‘delivery subscriptions’. Why this is a genius strategy to study: The delivery subscriptions waive delivery fees for orders above a certain amount. Major companies like Talabat and HungerStation in the region use this model successfully. They’re not the first in MENA to do this either. Careem and Amazon Prime have similar offers. Because last-mile delivery and e-commerce are tightly linked, They know that it’s a necessary cost - and found a creative way around it. --- These subscriptions are essentially a marketing campaign: 1/ ⁠It makes consumers feel they’re getting a bargain. In reality the company absorbs last-mile delivery costs. 2/ ⁠It reduces cart abandonment, as high delivery fees are a common reason people abandon their carts. 3/ ⁠When you subscribe, you’re committing to buy from the SAME provider.  If not, you lose out on your fees, and the company earns without providing any service. By subsidising delivery on the condition that customers make an order,  Subscriptions act as a backward retention loyalty and lock-in scheme. 🔒 This makes it "sticky," keeping you coming back. It’s really quite clever. Though e-commerce companies provide logistical support, They tend to make their core revenue from product sales. Even if you don't typically buy much, you’re encouraged to shop more often. In theory the economics make good sense - but I’d love to hear from my network about the realities if this is true. What other creative strategies have you seen e-commerce firms employ?

82

2 Comments

Impressive and definitely great for the region. But you'd still question the sustainability of the business model. With all the restaurants increasing their prices on the app and still questioning the profitability, there's definitely a lot of changes that can improve the restaurants' experience. Just like how social media influencers try to build a following outside the common platforms, these restaurants try to build customer loyalty independent of talabat. I foresee a lot of startups that come up with more creative business models that will dethrone talabat and other companies like it.

4

Quick News (9/6/2024): Key Developments in Qatar's ICT and Economic Sectors Rasmal Ventures Launches First Home-Grown Qatari VC Fund: Rasmal Ventures, Qatar's first independent venture capital company, has launched its inaugural venture capital fund, Rasmal Innovation Fund LLC. Managed by a team with extensive VC experience, the fund aims for $100 million in investment commitments, with an initial closing of over $30 million. The fund will target innovative tech startups and scaleups in Qatar, the MENA region, and internationally, with a focus on sectors like climate and energy tech, fintech, supply chain logistics, B2B SaaS, and AI. (Source: Gulf Times) Qatar Electronic Systems Company (Techno Q) Listing on QSE: Techno Q will be listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange’s Venture Market on June 26, 2024. With a share capital of 84.5 million shares, the listing increases the number of companies on the QEVM to four. The reference price for the shares is set at 2.9 Qatari riyals. The company, established in 1996, operates in the #AV, hospitality, and lighting segments, and through its subsidiary, in ELV and #security systems. (Source: Qatar Stock Exchange) Potential Qatar-Sweden Joint Projects: Emerging technologies, particularly AI, large language models, and digitalization, present significant opportunities for joint innovation projects between Qatar and Sweden. Håkan Buskhe, CEO of Swedish private holding company FAM, emphasized the importance of innovation for small export-driven economies like Qatar and Sweden. He highlighted the potential for collaboration in areas such as smart city initiatives and food security technologies. (Source: Gulf Times) Qatar, an Emerging Hub for EVs and Hybrid Vehicles: Qatar is rapidly becoming a significant player in the promotion and sale of electric and hybrid vehicles in the Middle East. Qatar's rapid development of electric charging infrastructure and initiatives like the Qatar Geneva International Motor Show demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development and innovation in the automotive industry. (Source: Gulf Times) MENA Tech Startup Market Difficulty Report 2024: Does Your Startup Have Any Chance in MENA! The report provides industry data insights analyzing 30 sectors in the MENA region to identify which are easier or more difficult for startups. It examines the difficulty in raising capital, reaching customers, and market competition among startups, using data from the last six years up to January 2024. It is the first report in the region's history to address and provide solutions to these challenges. Full report can be accessed at https://lnkd.in/dTXDhS7z #Qatar #ICT #AI #VentureCapital #Quicknews #MENATechStartup

8

2 Comments

Imagine this. You get contacted by a global venture accelerator making waves in MENA to be flown out and meet with early-stage founders being incubated by a leading regional Telco to listen, share experiences, offer insights & even learn a thing or two about what else the builder's struggle looks like To think that a 🍔boy (that's what the proverbial they call US-Educated Pakistanis) would one day be sitting on a platform sharing "wisdom" and "feedback" as if I have anything useful to share 🫣 While I may appear humble, I'm acutely aware of the experience I bring. The only question is, whether it creates value for those it's intended to benefit. Heck, the kind of trouble I̴'̴v̴e̴ ̴g̴o̴t̴t̴e̴n̴ ̴i̴n̴t̴o̴ I'm getting into while trying to build a company, or three, it's impossible to do without pitfalls worth sharing with others. Brinc - Thank you for bringing me out to Muscat to meet these really inspiring and generally epic founders ⤵️ 1. Tasheel ▸ Sharia-compliant travel platform offering "Travel Now Pay Later," allowing exploration without upfront payments. 2. Hal Capital ▸ Sharia-compliant microfinance platform providing direct financing to underbanked MSMEs and individuals. 3. Bon + ▸ SaaS-enabled B2B wholesale marketplace for the Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HoReCa) sectors. 4. Bayanat ▸ Data analytics firm leveraging AI/ML to optimize ROI and operations in energy and telecom, aiding critical decision-making. 5. Sayyad ▸ Digital seafood marketplace connecting fishermen with businesses to optimize costs and reduce waste. 6. Wadiaa ▸ Regulated fintech hub for crowdfunding new ventures and crowdlending for SMEs, empowering savings and investment. I for one am very excited to see how these startups create value, within and beyond The Sultanate of Oman 🇴🇲! ----- jalebi.io | جليبى Omantel Brinc Brinc MENA Lutfi Al Shukaili Amani Al Subhi Ahmed Bayoumi Qais Al Jedyani ----- #Founders #Mentoring #startups #Oman #Muscat

73

3 Comments

😓 😳 Opening a bank account as a startup in the UAE has been a challenging and frustrating experience, and this is my personal account of the difficulties faced. It feels as though banks here are not genuinely interested in attracting new clients or supporting small businesses and tech startups, even when they are legally registered on the mainland, not just in free zones. One particularly disappointing example is our recent experience with Wio Bank. Despite their claims of quick and efficient account opening processes, we have been stuck in a seemingly endless loop for over three weeks, with no progress and only automated responses to our inquiries. It’s disheartening to see such a lack of support and interest from a bank that should be facilitating the growth of startups. In stark contrast, Al Maryah Community Bank has provided the best experience so far. They maintain good verbal and written communication, which is crucial for navigating these processes. However, the overall timeline for opening an account remains lengthy, even when all the required documents have been provided. One of the most significant challenges is the need for founders, who are often spread across different locations, to make multiple trips to the UAE just to sign documents or meet with bank representatives. This not only adds to the cost but also consumes valuable time without guaranteeing any success in opening an account. While the UAE continues to demonstrate leadership in the tech industry and offers an excellent ecosystem for startups, the banking system clearly lags behind the pace required for the desired progress. There needs to be a significant improvement in how banks handle account openings for new businesses to support the rapid growth and innovation in the region. For the UAE to truly support its burgeoning startup ecosystem, efficient, transparent processes and genuine support for entrepreneurs are crucial. Have you had similar experiences with banking in the UAE? I’d love to hear your stories and any advice you might have for navigating these challenges. #UAE #Startups #Banking #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #TechStartups

98

62 Comments

🚀 MENA Weekly Tech Round-up 👇 🏍️ Delivery Hero plans to list its MENA business, talabat, on the Dubai Financial Market in Q4 2024. The IPO will involve a secondary share sale, with Delivery Hero retaining a majority stake. It's unclear if the IPO will include its Saudi and Turkish businesses, operated by HungerStation | هنقرستيشن and Yemeksepeti, respectively. The listing depends on market conditions and regulatory approval. Delivery Hero’s shares rose 7% following the announcement. The MENA region is the company’s fastest-growing market, with GMV up 29.4% year-over-year to $6.56 billion and revenue increasing 32.2% to $1.81 billion in H1 2024. 💳 Saudi fintech barq, founded by former STC Pay CEO Ahmed Alenazi, has gained over 1 million users within three weeks of its launch. The startup, which received an e-wallet license from the Saudi Central Bank – SAMA in January, offers digital personal accounts with local and international transfers and Visa cards. Barq, which rebranded from Barraq, allows users to transfer money to over 200 countries with competitive exchange rates and features a marketplace and game center with cashback rewards. Since launching, Barq has issued 600,000 cards and processed over SAR 500 million ($133 million). Spiros Margaris ARSALAN AHMED KHAN Hissah AlDeghaither abdullah aljuaidan 🤖 Dubai AI Campus and Google Cloud have announced a collaboration agreement aimed at fostering the growth of the start-up ecosystem within the Dubai AI Campus. Under the collaboration, Google Cloud intends to offer mentorship opportunities for selected start-ups within the Dubai AI Campus and work with the Campus on programmes such as Google Cloud's Gen AI Startup School. Suzanne Ghazlan-Leow Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban Mohammad Alblooshi Ziad Jammal 🐢 While you're here, sign up to get more MENA startup, VC, and tech stories, interviews, and deep dives, direct to your inbox twice a week: 📥 https://lnkd.in/dszhXGGP #menatech #startupnews #venturecapital #aiinnovation #techtrends

32

Growth of the SaaS Market in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East Saudi Arabia Expected Growth: The SaaS market in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8% from 2018 to 2024. This growth is driven by digital transformation initiatives under Vision 2030. Investments and Infrastructure: Major global companies like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud are investing in establishing data centers in Saudi Arabia, which is enhancing the spread of SaaS solutions in the region. Middle East Regional Growth: The SaaS market in the Middle East is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2020 to 2027. This growth encompasses all GCC countries and other nations in the region. Global SaaS Market Growth Global Market: The global SaaS market is projected to reach $1,228.87 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 18.4% from 2024 to 2032. This growth is driven by the expansion of SaaS applications across various sectors such as education, healthcare, and e-commerce. Key Players: Leading companies in the market include Salesforce, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Adobe, IBM, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services. These companies employ diverse strategies such as partnerships, acquisitions, and new product launches to enhance their market share. #SaaS #CloudTechnology #Vision2030 #DigitalTransformation #ITInfrastructure #MarketGrowth #MiddleEast #SaudiArabia #CRM #HRM #ERP #Innovation #Investments #EconomicGrowth #BigData #Cybersecurity #GlobalExpansion #Ecommerce #GovernmentSector #HealthcareTech #TechInnovation #fastcoo

10

In the Middle East, real-time payments continue to soar in popularity and use. ACI’s 2024 Prime Time for Real-Time report revealed that the region remains the fastest-growing market for real-time payments. In 2023, the Middle East saw 33.6% YoY growth, with 855 million total real-time transactions; our data and research indicate that transaction volume is expected to grow to 3 billion by 2028. What does this mean for financial institutions? They have a crucial opportunity to innovate their existing payment infrastructures – aligning with operational real-time payment schemes across different nations in the region – to fully leverage the potential of real-time payments, as my colleague Santhosh Rao comments. https://aciw.co/3Rf0qCZ

61

The top 10 Fintechs in the Middle East in 2024, as per the Forbes top 50 ranking (1. Wio, 2. Fawry, 3. Tabby, 4. MadfoatCom, etc. ). The ranking criteria covers diverse metrics, including external funding, digital transactions, user base, and geographic reach, reflecting the impactful strides made by these companies in innovation and expansion over the past year. Fintech ventures associated with traditional banks and governments were excluded. More information regarding the specific companies, can be found on Forbes Website. Let me know if you need the link! #Fintech #FintechInnovation #MiddleEast #Finance #FinancialTechnology #DigitalFinance

4

2 Comments

Ziina زينة, a UAE-based payments platform, has secured $22 million in a Series A funding round led by Altos Ventures, with participation from Fintech Collective, FJ Labs, Avenir Growth, Y Combinator and Jabbar Internet Group. This brings Ziina's total funding to over $30 million. Since its launch in 2022 as a P2P payments app for bill splitting, Ziina has evolved into a payment gateway for small businesses, serving 50,000 customers. The company has experienced a tenfold increase in revenue and continues to experience rapid customer growth. Ziina will use the new funding to further its vision of becoming a full financial services provider. A key part of this is the upcoming launch of ZiiCard, which will help businesses manage expenses and payments, while individuals will benefit from features such as expense categorisation and payment splitting. In addition, Ziina has become the first venture-backed startup to secure an SVF licence from the UAE Central Bank, allowing it to offer more financial products and generate revenue from customer assets on the platform. (Image by TechCrunch) #Fintech #Payments #UAE #DigitalFinance #Startups #Innovation

23

2 Comments

Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Fintech Strategy Saudi Arabia is making waves in the fintech world with its bold and comprehensive strategy. The Kingdom aims to transform into a leading global fintech hub, fostering innovation, attracting investments, and creating a thriving digital #financial ecosystem. Key Pillars of the Strategy: - Regulatory framework: Creating a conducive environment for fintech growth. - Market and Funding: Supporting fintech startups and providing access to capital. - Talent: Developing a skilled workforce to meet the industry's demands. - #Technology: Investing in cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation. - Collaboration: fostering partnerships and international cooperation. Strategic Initiatives: - Enhancing fintech innovation within the #CentralBank. - Enabling Fintech Saudi as a market driver. - Nurturing fintech knowledge in KSA. - Developing emerging technology policies and acceleration. - Implementing #openbanking practice in #KSA. By focusing on these areas, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a major player in the global fintech landscape. Thank you Fintech Saudi | فنتك السعودية Resource: https://lnkd.in/g-ZY68nT #fintech #SaudiArabia #innovation #digitalfinance #globalleadership

10

Excited to share my insights on the surging demand for digital payments in the UAE; featured in Khaleej Times! Digital transformation is rapidly reshaping the financial landscape, and it's incredible to see the momentum building. Dive into the article to learn more about the trends driving this change and how we're adapting to meet these evolving needs. #DigitalPayments #Fintech #Innovation CREALOGIX

37

3 Comments

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝟰𝟮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗔𝗘'𝘀 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 In the aftermath of Microsoft's $1.5 billion investment in Abu Dhabi artificial intelligence and cloud company G42, the spotlight is now on the Middle East's growing stature as a regional leader for global technology. Following the Microsoft deal this month, Bayanat and Presight AI – among the UAE's largest advanced tech companies – surged about 7 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, mirroring the impact on investor sentiment. Microsoft's investment in G42, which will further boost the latter's global expansion plans, includes the creation of a $1 billion fund to support developers that is aimed at enhancing the Middle East's technology talent pool – a key component that can help the UAE become a global AI hub. We are in truly exciting times in the region, with a huge amount of investment in ground breaking technology and research, which is boosting the economy and will help lead to many new jobs moving forward. #AITechnology #InvestmentInTheMiddleEast #AspireTechnology

4

The UAE SaaS Playbook: The 2-Step Value Proposition (Bonus Point) As we wrap up our series on SaaS success in the UAE, I want to share a crucial bonus strategy that can be instrumental in a SaaS growth: the 2-Step Value Proposition. This approach is about delivering core value to your users almost instantly. Why the 2-Step Value Proposition Matters in the UAE: Instant Gratification Culture - UAE consumers expect quick results in all aspects of life and business. A product that delivers value immediately stands out. High User Acquisition Costs - With competitive marketing in the UAE, retaining users from the first interaction is crucial. Immediate value encourages users to stick around and explore further. Time-Sensitive Decision Makers - UAE business leaders often make quick decisions based on initial impressions. Demonstrating value rapidly can secure buy-in for longer-term use. Differentiator in a Crowded Market - Many SaaS products in the UAE offer delayed or complex value propositions. A 2-step approach can be a significant competitive advantage. How to Implement the 2-Step Value Proposition: Identify Your Core Value -Pinpoint the single most important benefit your product offers. This should address a critical pain point for your target users. Streamline the User Journey -Design your onboarding process to deliver this core value in two steps or less. Remove any unnecessary friction or complexity. Prioritize Speed - Optimize your product to deliver results as quickly as possible. Even if it means limiting features initially, focus on rapid value delivery. Clear Communication - Clearly articulate what users will gain and how quickly they'll see results. Set and meet expectations from the first interaction. Personalization -Use any initial data to personalize the experience and value delivery. This increases the perceived value and relevance to the user. Case Study: ChatGPT's Instant Value Approach OpenAI's ChatGPT demonstrates a masterclass in delivering immediate value to users through a streamlined, user-friendly design: Step 1: User accesses ChatGPT (via web or app). Step 2: User types a question or prompt. That's it. No complex registration process, no extensive onboarding. Users receive valuable, tailored responses within seconds of their first interaction with the AI. This approach has led to: Explosive user growth and adoption High user engagement and retention Widespread application across various sectors By delivering core value in just two steps, you're not just acquiring users – you're creating advocates from the very first interaction. Have you seen success with a similar approach in the UAE market? Share your experiences in the comments! #UAETech #SaaS #ProductStrategy #UserRetention

4

2 Comments

📍Here's the MENA startup, VC, and tech news you missed out on this week... 👇 💸 Seez (🇦🇪 UAE), an automotive SaaS startup providing AI-powered software solutions for car dealerships and OEMs, has raised $4.2 million from several international investors including Pinewood Technologies Group. The funding will help Seez build on its proprietary AI technology, including Seezar, an AI chatbot, alongside advanced AI SaaS modules tailored for automotive dealers. 🚀 Founded in 2016 by Tarek Kabrit 💸 UmrahCash (🇸🇦 KSA), a fintech platform, has secured $500k from Adaverse Venture Fund to expand its operations. UmrahCash enables pilgrims in Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah to make payments from their home countries and receive Saudi Riyals upon arrival, simplifying currency exchange for the Umrah journey. 🚀 Led by CEO William Phelps 💸 Revolut (🇬🇧 UK), the fintech giant, is seeking licenses to operate in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. They have applied to the UAE's central bank for an electronic-money institution license to offer remittance services, with the ultimate goal of securing a full banking license, similar to the one it recently obtained in the UK. The company is valued at $45 billion, following a secondary share sale that saw Mubadala from Abu Dhabi join as a new investor. 🚀 Founded in 2015 by Nik Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko 🇪🇬 A coalition between EYouth and prominent Egyptian businessmen, including Mohamed Farouk, Ahmed Tarek, Mustafa Abd Ellatif, and Mokhtar Ahmed, has launched NextEra Education with an investment of $42 million (EGP 2 billion). The initiative aims to modernise Egypt's educational landscape by integrating advanced AI technologies, revamping traditional curricula, and partnering with prestigious international universities to bring world-class education to the country. 📲 Astra Tech has launched the MENA region’s first ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ (SNPL) remittance service via its Botim Ultra app. The service allows instant international money transfers with deferred payments, targeting the UAE’s expat population. Astra Tech aims to capture a larger share of the growing remittance market. Botim’s nine million users can pre-register for the service before its official launch! Get the full 5-minute briefing 👉 https://lnkd.in/d-dhy7Qg 🐢 And while you're here, do yourself a favor and sign up so that the next edition goes straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/dszhXGGP #menatech #startupnews #venturecapital #fintech #AI #techtrends

4

The partnership between Dubai's DET and Network International is a strategic move to empower SMEs and fintech, central to Dubai’s ambitious D33 Economic Agenda. By enhancing digital payment infrastructure and fostering a supportive ecosystem, they aim to streamline access to financing and innovative solutions. This collaboration not only strengthens Dubai's position as a global business hub but also promotes sustainability and scalability in emerging industries. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of SMEs in driving economic growth and innovation in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. #innovation #fintech #dubaieconomy #smes

13

Exiting news coming from UAE Fintech landscape

10

2 Comments

On the Saudi National Day, I’d like to spotlight the fact that Saudi Arabia is becoming the Middle East’s B2B SaaS haven. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have predicted this, yet here we are. We’re seeing SaaS giants emerge from the country. Names like Unifonic, Salla E-Commerce Platform, Zid | زد, Jisr | جسر, Lucidya | لوسيديا, resal, Penny Software, Foodics, Qoyod - قيود, Daftra - دفترة, and more. They represent quality B2B SaaS products that stand out across the region. Most of these companies still aren’t focused on global markets, which would typically be a challenge. However, the domestic market is proving large and dynamic enough to support several of these companies reaching pre-IPO stages. Here are a few possible reasons why B2B SaaS is flourishing in Saudi Arabia: 1️⃣ Saudi has one of the youngest and most digitally connected populations in the world, which provides a fertile ground for tech innovation. 2️⃣ Strong local demand. The rapid growth of SMEs and the digital transformation across various industries have accelerated the need for homegrown and localized B2B solutions. 3️⃣ Saudi B2B SaaS companies have addressed the talent shortage by tapping into global talent pools, leveraging remote work or attracting expat talent. 4️⃣ The culture of adopting local products. Saudi has an extremely unique culture of supporting homegrown products against their foreign alternatives. Large corporations and government entities easily partner with local tech companies, providing SaaS startups with major business opportunities and credibility.  Of course, the availability of capital and strategic government initiatives have definitely helped. It's absolutely remarkable how B2B SaaS entrepreneurs in Saudi have been able to build strong and localized products by understanding the unique needs of the domestic market, despite the challenge of tech talent. I'm waiting for the second wave of B2B SaaS entrepreneurs in Saudi. Those will leave a remarkable global footprint. #SaudiNationalDay

166

8 Comments