SparkLabs Saudi Arabia has launched SparkLabs KSU Fund I, a $20 million venture capital fund focused on backing high-potential local and global founders building and scaling from Saudi Arabia. The fund received an anchor investment from Riyadh Valley Company (RVC), the investment arm of King Saud University.
The fund will invest across pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with a strategic emphasis on Saudi-founded startups and ventures emerging from the King Saud University ecosystem. Up to 20% of the capital will be allocated to international founders committed to localizing and expanding their businesses in the Kingdom.
SparkLabs KSU Fund I is closely aligned with the King Saud University Entrepreneurship Center, which supports student and faculty-led startups through education, mentorship, and venture-building programs. The capital will be deployed to provide early-stage funding, strategic guidance, and access to SparkLabs’ global platform, enabling founders to accelerate product development, market entry, and international expansion.
The fund will operate alongside the SparkLabs – KSU accelerator program, which provides mentorship, operational support, and access to local and international networks. The accelerator is supported by the National Technology Development Program and builds on SparkLabs’ global model, which reports a startup survival rate of over 86.7%.
SparkLabs Group, founded in 2013, operates a global network of startup accelerators and venture capital funds across Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the United States. The organization has invested in more than 600 companies across six continents, with a combined post-money valuation exceeding $56 billion. Its portfolio spans AI, deep tech, enterprise software, and digital platforms, with active operations in Saudi Arabia, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and the U.S.
Through the partnership, Riyadh Valley Company and SparkLabs aim to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem by attracting global innovation, nurturing local talent, and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term economic transformation.
KEY QUOTES
“This investment from Riyadh Valley Company reflects strong alignment around the importance of building a globally connected innovation ecosystem rooted in Saudi Arabia. Through SparkLabs KSU Fund I, we aim to support exceptional founders with capital, hands-on expertise, and access to international markets.”
Ivan Grlic, Managing Partner at SparkLabs Saudi Arabia
