Saudi IPO ambitions rise as 77% of founders weigh listings, report says

27/04/2026 03:56 AST

About 77 percent of startup founders in Saudi Arabia are considering an initial public offering, with 91 percent favoring a domestic listing on the Saudi Exchange, according to a new report.

The study, released by Endeavor Saudi Arabia in partnership with Saudi Venture Capital Co., highlights a growing pipeline of companies preparing for public markets as the Kingdom's private capital ecosystem matures.

Titled "From Startup to IPO: Strengthening the IPO Pipeline in Saudi Arabia," the report points to a shift in founder and investor sentiment, with more firms being built to meet the scale, governance and operational standards required for listing.

Saudi Arabia's diversification push is gaining momentum, with more entrepreneurs turning to public markets for growth and long-term value. As the Kingdom seeks to reduce its decades-long reliance on oil, deepening capital markets has become a core pillar of Vision 2030.

Nora Alsarhan, deputy CEO and chief investment officer at SVC, said: "These indicators reflect the accelerated development of Saudi Arabia's private capital ecosystem, built through cumulative efforts."

Some of the elements that drive the growth of IPOs in the Kingdom include ongoing ecosystem development, including increased early-stage capital deployment, improved regulatory frameworks, and enhanced company readiness.

According to the report, the rising number of entrepreneurs planning to list on Tadawul reflects growing confidence in the Saudi Exchange as a platform for long-term growth and value creation, collectively supporting the transition of high-growth companies toward public listings.

"This report reflects a more advanced stage in the evolution of Saudi Arabia's entrepreneurial ecosystem. It shows a clear shift in how founders are thinking about growth, with more companies being built with the scale, structure, and ambition required to access public markets," said Lateefa Alwaalan, managing director at Endeavor Saudi Arabia.

She added: "Strengthening this (IPO) pipeline is key to enabling long-term, sustainable growth across the ecosystem."

While momentum is building, the report flagged areas for further development, including strengthening institutional capabilities in governance and strategy, as well as addressing IPO-related costs and improving access to growth-stage capital.

In January, a report by Markaz revealed that the Kingdom strengthened its role in the Gulf Cooperation Council's IPO market in 2025, raising $4.1 billion in proceeds, the highest in the region.

Arab News