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

If you are trying to work out how to get funding from STV, start with this: STV (Saudi Technology Ventures) is one of the largest independent technology investors in the Middle East, built to propel tech companies across MENA. Founded by Abdulrahman Tarabzouni with backing from Saudi Telecom (stc), the firm describes itself as a venture capital and growth-equity investor and says it has invested in 40+ startups in the region since 2018.

STV's mandate is tied to Saudi Arabia's digital ambitions: back high-growth tech businesses that can scale across the Middle East and North Africa, and give them what the firm calls an unfair advantage through capital, networks and operating support. It has been among the region's most active investors in startup financings across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.

STV: thesis, sectors and stages

STV invests across the technology spectrum in MENA, spanning venture capital and growth equity, from early rounds through growth stages — historically leading advanced rounds. Two specialist vehicles show how the thesis is evolving:

• STV NICE Fund I — a $100 million non-dilutive capital fund, closed in May 2025 with backing from SAB Invest (Saudi Awwal Bank) and family offices, supported by the National Technology Development Program (NTDP). It gives growth-stage tech companies Sharia-compliant capital without giving up equity, through a "non-dilutive investment in callable equity" structure.
• STV AI Fund — a $100 million dedicated fund backed by Google for AI-native startups across MENA at the early stage. Its debut investment co-led the seed round of Sawt, an Arabic-native voice AI company.

Press reports describe the overall STV platform as an approximately $800 million technology venture capital fund and growth investor (inCarabia, May 2025; PitchBook lists Saudi Technology Ventures Fund I at $800M). A specific cheque size for the main venture funds is not publicly disclosed on the firm's site.

Notable portfolio

STV was an early investor in Careem (later acquired by Uber) and in communications platform Unifonic (Arab News). Data providers also list Tabby, TruKKer and Sary among its investments (PitchBook). Through STV NICE Fund I, it has backed Morni (roadside assistance), RedBox (last-mile logistics) and Invygo (subscription car rental) — Saudi and UAE growth-stage businesses (inCarabia).

Key partners

The firm's leadership page names Abdulrahman Tarabzouni (Founder & CEO), General Partners Ahmad AlNaimi, Dr. Mazin Alzaidi and Ihsan Jawad, and Luca Barbi (General Partner & COO).

Programs and initiatives

STV Alpha is a talent track designed to bring top talent into venture capital and entrepreneurship, offering firsthand experience in venture investing. Separately, STV's partnership with the Jordan Entrepreneurship Fund is building an AI corridor between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

How to apply for funding

STV's website invites growth-stage companies to "Apply for our NICE funding" — the published application route for its non-dilutive $100 million vehicle, aimed at scaling tech companies that want capital without giving up equity. The firm's site does not publish a general pitch email or open application form for its equity venture funds, so for standard venture or growth-equity rounds founders will typically need a warm introduction through the firm's network rather than a public submission portal. Clarify upfront which vehicle fits your stage: early-stage AI-native companies through the STV AI Fund track, growth-stage companies through NICE, or venture/growth equity through the main funds.