Organization · Venture Capital
STV
STV is a venture capital and growth equity firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on technology startups in the MENA region. It manages over $800 million in capital and has launched a dedicated AI fund backed by Google.
Overview
What STV does
What STV is
STV is a venture capital and growth equity firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on technology startups in the MENA region. It manages over $800 million in capital and has launched a dedicated AI fund backed by Google.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2018
- Approximate age
- About 8 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- April 26, 2026
Official channels
Find STV elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
STV as a funder
Investment thesis
STV backs technology companies building for MENA's largest digital opportunities, with a focus on regional category leaders that can scale across the Gulf and broader MENA. The firm emphasizes AI-native applications and localized AI models.
Focus narrative
STV invests in early-stage and growth-stage startups, particularly those that are AI-native. The firm has launched a dedicated AI Fund to support the development of AI startups across MENA. Additionally, STV offers a program called STV Alpha, which aims to attract talent into venture capital and entrepreneurship.
Value beyond capital
STV provides not only capital but also strategic support to its portfolio companies, helping them scale and succeed in the competitive MENA market. The firm leverages its extensive network and expertise in technology to enhance the growth potential of its investments.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $500,000–$20,000,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Series A · Series B · Growth Equity
- Regions
- Mena · Gcc
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 30
Portfolio context
STV has partnered with over 30 startups in the MENA region. Notable investments include Sawt, an Arabic-native voice AI company for enterprises; Tamara, a buy-now-pay-later fintech company; Tabby, a fintech unicorn; Foodics, a restaurant technology company; Salla, an e-commerce enablement platform; Gathern, a hospitality marketplace; and Stake, a digital real estate investment platform.
Capability profile
STV as a program host
Program thesis
STV partners with startups to provide them with resources and support to enhance their growth, particularly in the AI sector.
Focus narrative
STV invests primarily in early-stage and growth-stage startups, with a particular emphasis on those that are AI-native. The firm has launched the STV Alpha program to attract talent into venture capital and entrepreneurship, further supporting the growth of innovative startups in the region.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Accelerator
- Sectors
- Artificial Intelligence
- Regions
- MENA
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
One notable investment is in Sawt, a company focused on building Arabic-native voice AI for enterprises.
Common questions
What to know about STV
Upseed classifies STV under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 26, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.