Event
AGCC Attends LEAP 2025 to Discuss the Future Investment Landscape of Saudi Arabia
Written by Chiara de Caro, 10. February 2025At the global tech event LEAP 2025 in Riyadh, AGCC's Managing Partner, Chiara De Caro, analyzed how Saudi Arabia can leverage South Korea's success strategies to build a world-class investment ecosystem.
Can Saudi Arabia Beat Korea’s Unicorn Record? AGCC’s Managing Partner Shares Expert Insights at LEAP 2025
LEAP Conference is one of the world’s largest tech events, bringing together global leaders to explore emerging technologies and digital transformation. Held in Riyadh, it’s the perfect stage for bold ideas and big ambitions.
The panel brought together industry experts who shared their views on the future of Saudi’s investment landscape. The discussion featured:
- Chiara de Caro, Managing Partner at AGCC
- Yousef Alomran, CEO at Mobily Ventures
- Romain Assuncao, Partner at Antler
- Waleed A. Alballaa, General Partner at Sukna Ventures
- David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist at Nash Squared
- Saad Altuwaijri, Investment Manager at Environment Fund
At this year’s LEAP Conference in Riyadh, one question sparked a lively debate: Can Saudi Arabia replicate South Korea’s success in building 30 unicorns in just six years? It wasn’t just an ambitious idea; it was a realistic possibility explored during the panel titled “Countdown to Capital: Saudi Arabia’s Investment Ecosystem in the Next 5 Years.
Our Managing Partner, Chiara De Caro, joined industry leaders to share insights on how Saudi Arabia could transform its investment landscape and position itself as a global tech hub. Her perspective was clear: the building blocks are there, but execution will be the key differentiator.
The panel brought together industry experts who shared their views on the future of Saudi’s investment landscape. The discussion featured:
- Chiara de Caro, Managing Partner at AGCC
- Yousef Alomran, CEO at Mobily Ventures
- Romain Assuncao, Partner at Antler
- Waleed A. Alballaa, General Partner at Sukna Ventures
- David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist at Nash Squared
- Saad Altuwaijri, Investment Manager at Environment Fund
At this year’s LEAP Conference in Riyadh, one question sparked a lively debate: Can Saudi Arabia replicate South Korea’s success in building 30 unicorns in just six years? It wasn’t just an ambitious idea; it was a realistic possibility explored during the panel titled “Countdown to Capital: Saudi Arabia’s Investment Ecosystem in the Next 5 Years.
Our Managing Partner, Chiara De Caro, joined industry leaders to share insights on how Saudi Arabia could transform its investment landscape and position itself as a global tech hub. Her perspective was clear: the building blocks are there, but execution will be the key differentiator.
What Saudi Arabia Can Learn from South Korea’s Unicorn Playbook
South Korea’s rapid rise to 30 unicorns didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of a strategic approach that emphasized:
- Strong exit pathways that gave investors confidence and facilitated high returns.
- Global expansion from day one, ensuring startups could scale beyond local markets.
- A shift to private-led VC growth, fostering a mature and competitive investment environment.
Chiara pointed out that Saudi Arabia has the potential to follow this playbook—and maybe even outdo it. With $100B+ investments in AI and Deep Tech, and strong government support, the foundations are there. But ambition alone isn’t enough. Saudi needs to turn this ambition into action.
The key lies in creating late-stage funding pathways and easing foreign LP participation, ensuring that the capital doesn’t just come in—it grows and exits successfully.
While Saudi’s investment figures are impressive, attracting foreign investors remains a challenge. Chiara highlighted that Saudi’s bold investments are drawing attention, but turning that into commercial success requires more than just capital. It needs a stable investment environment, a robust exit strategy, and most importantly, a shift towards private VC growth.
For AGCC, being part of this conversation wasn’t just about speaking on a panel. It was about playing a role in Saudi Arabia’s journey of economic transformation and helping the next generation of tech entrepreneurs grow.
- Strong exit pathways that gave investors confidence and facilitated high returns.
- Global expansion from day one, ensuring startups could scale beyond local markets.
- A shift to private-led VC growth, fostering a mature and competitive investment environment.
Chiara pointed out that Saudi Arabia has the potential to follow this playbook—and maybe even outdo it. With $100B+ investments in AI and Deep Tech, and strong government support, the foundations are there. But ambition alone isn’t enough. Saudi needs to turn this ambition into action.
The key lies in creating late-stage funding pathways and easing foreign LP participation, ensuring that the capital doesn’t just come in—it grows and exits successfully.
While Saudi’s investment figures are impressive, attracting foreign investors remains a challenge. Chiara highlighted that Saudi’s bold investments are drawing attention, but turning that into commercial success requires more than just capital. It needs a stable investment environment, a robust exit strategy, and most importantly, a shift towards private VC growth.
For AGCC, being part of this conversation wasn’t just about speaking on a panel. It was about playing a role in Saudi Arabia’s journey of economic transformation and helping the next generation of tech entrepreneurs grow.
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