Argaam OnPoint
On Point by Argaam brings global investors inside Saudi Arabia’s transformation through unfiltered conversations with CEOs, founders, and policymakers driving the region’s future.
حلقات
Saudi Arabia’s Race to Build the Future | Federico Pienovi
Saudi Arabia is moving from ambition to execution and technology is becoming central to how that future is being built.
In this episode of On Point, we sit down with Federico Pienovi, CEO of MENA and APAC at Globant, to explore what makes Saudi different from other global markets. They discuss why Globant chose to invest in the Kingdom, what international companies often get wrong when entering Sa
Inside Saudi Arabia's Growing Private Markets & the Future of Tech Investing | Ahmed El Hamawy
In this episode of On Point, we sit down with Ahmed El Hamawy, Founder and CEO of EquiTie, a London-based private markets investment firm managing approximately $120 million in assets.
Drawing on his experience investing in companies including SpaceX and OpenAI, Ahmed shares how investors identify category-defining businesses, why some of the greatest wealth-creation opportunities are shifting tow
Where Global Capital Meets Saudi Innovation | Luca Barbi
In this episode of On Point by Argaam with Luca Barbi, COO and General Partner at STV, about the rise of Saudi venture capital, what global investors are looking for, and where the biggest opportunities still remain.
They discuss the shift from early-stage startups to larger growth companies, the Series B funding gap, Saudi startups going global, and why scale, profitability and clear exit opportu
Building Saudi Arabia’s Next Economic Engine | Wyatt Roy
In this episode of On Point, Wyatt Roy Former Australian Minister and Former Head of Innovation at NEOM, shares why he chose to stay in the Kingdom and build his next chapter in Saudi Arabia.
Drawing on his experience across government, innovation and the private sector, Wyatt explores how Saudi Arabia is moving from a resource-led economy towards a more diversified, innovation-driven model. He di
Building, Scaling and Going Global from the Kingdom | Julie Barbier
Julie Barbier, Founder and CEO of Merit, joins Somi Arian to discuss what it takes to build and scale a global technology company from Saudi Arabia. From fundraising, rapid market adoption and international expansion to M&A, AI and the future of engagement technology, Julie explains how the Kingdom has become a platform for innovation and global growth. She also shares Merit’s journey from a r
What Global Investors Misunderstand About Saudi Arabia | Muhannd Qubbaj
In this episode of Argaam OnPoint, Somi Arian speaks with Muhannd Qubbaj, Founding Partner at Olive Rock Partners, about what it actually takes to invest, scale and exit in the Saudi market.
The conversation explores why trust plays such a central role in GCC deal making, how founder-led businesses evolve as they scale, and where investors can underestimate challenges around management depth, gove
Inside Saudi Arabia’s Next Investment Opportunity | Jessica Wong
Jessica Wong, Founder and Managing Partner of ewpartners, joins us to discuss what international investors need to understand about Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving investment landscape. From localization and long-term partnerships to infrastructure, technology, and the rise of Saudi startups, Jessica shares what makes the Kingdom different from other global markets and why being on the ground matt
Building the Future Bank for Saudi SMEs | Maher Loubieh
Maher Loubieh, CEO and Co-Founder of Hala, joins us to discuss the growth of Saudi Arabia’s fintech ecosystem and the huge opportunity emerging around small and medium-sized businesses.
From Hala’s journey from startup to scale-up, to raising international capital from investors including TPG, Maher explains how Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving financial infrastructure, regulatory environment and V
Why Riyadh is Becoming a Global Business Hub | Annabelle Mander
Annabel Mander, Executive Vice President at Tahaluf, joins us to discuss how Saudi Arabia has become a global destination for technology, investment and business expansion. From the rapid growth of LEAP and Money20/20 to the Kingdom’s rising influence across AI, fintech, gaming and sports technology, Annabelle explains what is attracting international investors, founders and global companies to Ri
Why Saudi Arabia’s Digital Economy Is Just Getting Started | Abdullah Khorami
Abdullah Khorami, Chief Business Officer at Salam, joins us to discuss how Saudi Arabia’s technology landscape is evolving beyond traditional telecom and into AI, cloud, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. From the role of telecom companies in enabling AI adoption to the importance of data, connectivity and local partnerships, Abdullah explains what it really takes to build and scale technol
How Saudi Arabia Is Building the Future of AI | Wassim Chourbaji
Wassim Chourbaji, President of Qualcomm Middle East & Africa and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Europe, the Middle East & Africa, joins us to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global AI powerhouse. From edge AI and next-generation computing to data centres, connectivity and 6G, Wassim explains why the next wave of AI will
Building Saudi Arabia’s Automotive Future | Michael Müller
Michael Müller, CEO of Tasaru, joins Somi Arian to discuss Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plan to build a world-class automotive and mobility ecosystem. From electric vehicles and autonomous transport to industrialisation, supply chains, and Vision 2030, Michael explains how the Kingdom is creating an entirely new industry from the ground up and why global companies are increasingly choosing Saudi Arabi
Why Global Startups Are Choosing Saudi Arabia | Sultan Moraished
Sultan Moraished, Chief Technology Officer at Red Sea Global, joins us to discuss how one of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious giga projects is transforming vision into reality through technology, innovation, and long-term thinking.
From building a world-class tourism destination powered by invisible technology to creating opportunities for startups, AI adoption, and local talent development, Sultan s
Private Credit Comes to Saudi Arabia | Armineh Baghoomian
Armineh (Armi) Baghoomian, Managing Director at Partners for Growth (PFG), joins Somi Arian to explain how private credit is transforming the way high-growth companies scale. From venture debt and structured finance to credit underwriting and founder discipline, Armi shares why private credit is becoming an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s financial ecosystem and what entrepreneurs, investors, and
Why Saudi Is Ready for Venture Debt | Ishpreet Singh Gandhi
Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder & CEO of Stride Ventures, joins Somi Arian to discuss how venture debt is transforming startup finance and why Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the world's most attractive markets for growth capital. From founder-friendly financing and capital discipline to private markets, cash flow, and scaling technology businesses, Ishpreet explains how the Kingdom's rapidl
Why Silicon Valley Is Betting on Saudi | SC Moatti
SC Moatti, Founder and Managing Partner of Mighty Capital, joins Somi Arian to discuss why Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the world’s most compelling technology investment destinations, the rise of AI, and what global founders and investors need to understand about building successful businesses in the Kingdom.
Building Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Industry | Brian Ward
Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group, joins Somi Arian to discuss Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global gaming powerhouse. From building a world-class gaming ecosystem and attracting international investment to esports, game development, and the future of entertainment under Vision 2030, Brian shares how the Kingdom is positioning itself at the center of one of the world’s fastest-growing ind
Why Saudi Startups Are Winning | Hussein Attar
Hussein Attar, CEO of Tech Invest Com, joins Somi Arian to discuss the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s venture capital ecosystem, what makes the Kingdom one of the world’s most exciting markets for entrepreneurs, and how investors evaluate the next generation of high-growth technology companies.
Can Saudi Build Global Startups | Emon Shakoor
In this episode, we are joined by Emon Shakoor, an entrepreneur, investor, and one of the leading figures in Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem.
Over the past decade, Emon has worked closely with founders, investors, and institutions, helping build the environment that has enabled hundreds of startups to launch and scale across the Kingdom.
Shakoor talks about the evolution of the Saudi startup ecos
Banking for the Digital Generation | Eze Szafir
Eze Szafir, CEO of D360, Saudi Arabia’s first digital bank, joins Somi Arian to discuss the future of digital banking in Saudi Arabia, what it takes to build a bank from the ground up, and why the Kingdom is becoming one of the world’s most exciting markets for financial innovation.
Why SuperReturn Chose Saudi Arabia | Dorothy Kelso
Dr. Dorothy Kelso, Managing Director at SuperReturn, joins Somi Arian to discuss the evolution of private markets, the growing role of institutional investors, the future of LP-GP relationships, and why Saudi Arabia has become one of the most exciting destinations for global private capital.
Investing in Saudi Arabia’s Next Chapter | Ali Al Mansour
Ali Al Mansour is the CEO of SAB Invest and one of the Kingdom’s leading voices on capital markets and asset management. In this conversation, he shares his perspective on the maturation of Saudi Arabia’s financial ecosystem, the next generation of investment opportunities, and the role of institutional capital in supporting economic diversification.
Beyond the IPO in Saudi Arabia | Abdulaziz Alomran
Abdulaziz Alomran is the Founder and CEO of Impact46, one of the most influential investment firms in Saudi Arabia. As an early backer of companies such as Jahez and Rasan, he has been at the forefront of the Kingdom’s startup, venture capital, and private markets journey.
In this conversation, we explore how Saudi Arabia’s investment ecosystem is maturing, what investors often misunderstand about
