Wa’ed, Saudi Aramco's entrepreneurship arm, is teaming up with Fintech Saudi and venture capital firm Flat6Labs to launch a 12-week accelerator programme to boost the growth of FinTech companies in the kingdom.
The hybrid programme will take place in-person in Riyadh and online from next month. It will host 12 start-ups for a series of workshops and training seminars.
“Our goal is to support local start-ups at every stage in their growth and prepare them for venture capital investment and regulatory qualification,” Wa’ed’s managing director Fahad Alidi said.
Wa’ed is experienced in selecting high-calibre start-ups in the kingdom and this initiative will give companies a solid start as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey, Mr Alidi said.
The programme, called Fintech Accelerator, will include a regulatory track and one focused on business that will run simultaneously. It will also include a day that allows start-ups to pitch to potential investors.
Selected start-ups will be subject to a background check and are required to have a minimum viable product, a tech-experienced founder and at least one dedicated full-time team member.
Out of the participating companies, Wa’ed will select three to join its incubation programme, each receiving a grant of 50,000 Saudi riyals ($13,328).
The FinTech industry in Saudi has grown significantly in recent years.
Between January and August 2021, the kingdom registered 16 venture investments in FinTech with a total deal value of $157.2 million, according to Fintech Saudi. This is a significant increase from 2020 (seven venture investments worth $7.8m) and 2019 (six venture investments worth $18m).
“We are pleased with Wa’ed’s strategic partnership,” said Nezar AlHaidar, accelerator manager at Fintech Saudi.
“We are looking forward to providing guidance and support to the start-ups in their business development and helping them navigate the regulatory landscape.”
Fintech Saudi is an initiative launched by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) in collaboration with the Capital Markets Authority under the financial sector development programme to support the development of the FinTech industry in the kingdom.
Following the completion of the programme, the participating start-ups can continue to avail support services through regulator meetings with the accelerator team, Wa’ed said. The programme will also include engagement with the SAMA and CMA.
Created as a wholly-owned venture of Aramco in 2011, Wa’ed has disbursed more than 400m riyals in venture capital investment, loans and incubation services to more than 100 kingdom-based start-ups.
Start-ups in Saudi Arabia attracted a record $168m worth of venture capital funding through 54 transactions in the first half of 2021, according to data platform Magnitt. This is about 94 per cent of the money extended to the kingdom’s start-ups in 2020.
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The drill
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FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
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1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
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Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
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Pushkin Press
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
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Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
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7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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