Investor Profile: Sanabil Investments — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Sanabil Investments is one of the most influential — and least understood — venture investors in the world. Wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and established in 2009, it has pledged to commit $2 billion a year to venture capital, growth, and small buyouts globally. For founders in MENA and beyond, it is the quiet giant behind some of the biggest names in venture.

The thesis: patient capital for global innovation

Sanabil describes itself as a partner for "the architects of these ideas — entrepreneurs and businesses." Its allocation is 50% venture capital, 30% private equity, and the rest in liquid portfolios — and its total assets under management are not publicly disclosed. The strategy is two-pronged: cornerstone stakes in the world's top VC and PE firms, plus direct investments in breakout companies, with a growing emphasis on building ventures inside Saudi Arabia itself.

The world's VC portfolio

Sanabil has disclosed ties to more than 50 venture capital and private equity firms, including Blackstone, KKR, Andreessen Horowitz, General Atlantic, Hellman & Friedman, and Platinum Equity. Its direct investment portfolio has included the machine-learning discovery engine Atomwise, customer-experience software company ActionIQ, and cybersecurity platform Vectra.

Building in the Kingdom: Sanabil Studio

Through its venture-building arm, Sanabil Studio, the firm validates up to 50 business models a year and aims to spin out and invest in the top 10%, matching opportunities with co-founders and early capital. The first Studio venture to raise external institutional funding is Nayla Finance, a SAMA-licensed microfinance fintech founded in 2024 by Shaqran Alyahya and Khalid Naili, which closed a pre-Series A of nearly 67 million SAR (about $18 million) in September 2026 — equity led by Idrisi Ventures with Suhail Ventures, plus a debt facility from Blominvest.

The Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global

Sanabil's flagship founder program is the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global, a hybrid program for early-stage MENA founders. Batch 11 — eight startups chosen from more than 690 applications — ran from April to July 2026 with a Demo Day on July 1, 2026, spanning AI products, fintech and payments infrastructure, healthcare diagnostics, risk and fraud, insurtech, compliance, and content/IP monetization. Founders get targeted mentorship, operator-led workshops, and regional and global network access. Applications for the next cohort are open.

Key people

Chairman Yasir Bin Othman Al-Rumayyan (also the PIF's governor) and CEO Abdullah Alabduljabbar lead a team the firm describes as "dynamic, nimble, and highly experienced."

How to apply for funding

Sanabil does not run a public direct-investment application portal. The verified route for founders is the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global — MENA startups are invited to apply for the next cohort. For later-stage companies, engagement typically comes through introductions and the firm's co-investment relationships with its 50+ fund partners.