Stride Ventures, a global leader in venture debt financing, has officially expanded into Saudi Arabia, marking a major milestone in its regional growth strategy. With a second office now established in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a sharp rise in team size, the firm is betting big on the Middle East’s maturing startup landscape.
A Strategic Move Backed by Data
This expansion comes alongside the release of the 2025 Global Venture Debt Report, co-authored by Stride Ventures and Kearney. The report paints a clear picture: the global venture debt market has grown at a 14% CAGR over the last five years. But in the GCC, that growth has surged at a CAGR of 54%, ballooning from $60 million in 2020 to $500 million in 2024.
Saudi Arabia stands out as the driving force behind this trend. The Kingdom is fast becoming a financial hub that embraces new forms of startup funding, especially non-dilutive capital like venture debt.
Why is venture debt catching on?
Traditional banks in the GCC have long been cautious when it comes to early-stage startups, especially those without fixed assets. Venture debt fills this critical gap by offering:
- ✅ Non-dilutive capital – Founders retain more equity
- ✅ Flexible terms – Tailored financing for different growth stages
- ✅ Faster access to funds – Without lengthy equity negotiations
Startups across verticals like FinTech, E-commerce, Logistics, HealthTech, and ClimateTech have already closed venture debt deals, setting a strong precedent.
Ambitious Goals for the Region
Stride Ventures isn’t just entering the market—they’re scaling fast. The firm aims to:
- âś… Triple its assets under management in the GCC by 2026
- ✅ Deploy $500 million across the region in the next 3–5 years
- âś… Grow its regional team by 60%, a goal it has already achieved
- âś… Exceed fundraising targets for its latest fund within months
The firm currently manages a $110 million active portfolio in the region, with an average deal size of $10 million. This reflects not only the available capital but also the rising demand from local startups for strategic, structured financing.
Saudi Arabia at the Center of the Shift
Fariha Ansari Javed, Partner at Stride Ventures, shared:
“Saudi Arabia is defining the future of venture and private capital with clarity and scale. We’re seeing a new generation of founders who understand the value of smart capital, backed by regional investors eager to fuel this growth.”
A Strong Global Track Record
Since its launch in 2019, Stride Ventures has invested over $1 billion in 180+ startups, including 17 unicorns. With this Saudi expansion, it further cements its role in the Middle East’s rapidly evolving financial and innovation ecosystem.