Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, today announced that it has led a $130 million pre-IPO investment round in Sara, Saudi Arabia's leading SaaS e-commerce platform. The investment is made in collaboration with Sanabil Investment and STV and aims to further Sara's mission to strengthen Saudi entrepreneurship by empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs with cutting-edge e-commerce solutions. The purpose is
Strategic investments for e-commerce growth
Founded in Mecca in 2016, Sara was born with a vision to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. By offering his unique SaaS platform, Salla makes it easy for merchants to tap into his fast-growing $20 billion e-commerce market. Expected to grow more than 25% year-over-year, Sara's platform drives $7 billion in e-commerce sales and serves more than 80,000 active merchants. The company's commitment to innovation is evident in his workforce of over 160 developers dedicated to enhancing technology and products, ensuring a seamless online selling experience for merchants.
Investcorp's forward-looking approach
Investcorp's investment through Investcorp Saudi Pre-IPO Growth Fund LP demonstrates the company's confidence in Sara's potential to revolutionize the e-commerce landscape. Saudi Arabia's SME sector has tripled in growth over the past five years, and Investcorp's Walid Majdalani highlights the role of the Kingdom's transformational agenda in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. By joining Sara's board, Investcorp aims to contribute to the company's future success, including a potential IPO, highlighting its growing interest in Saudi companies aiming to win locally and regionally. ing.
Powering the future of e-commerce
Nawaf Hariri, CEO and Co-Founder of Salla, expressed his gratitude for the trust and investment from Investcorp and Sanabil, seeing this as proof of their confidence in Salla's vision and platform. This investment marks an important milestone in Sara's efforts to democratize e-commerce, enabling a wider range of businesses to thrive in the digital economy. With a focus on delivering innovative and customer-centric solutions, Sara is poised to redefine the e-commerce experience and advance the Kingdom's economic diversification and digital transformation goals.
The strategic investment in Sara by Investcorp, Sanabil Investment and STV highlights the vibrant potential of Saudi Arabia's e-commerce sector. As Salla continues to evolve, its impact is expected to ripple across the region, fostering growth for small businesses and giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. The collaboration between these organizations marks a pivotal moment not only for Sara, but also for the broader e-commerce ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world.
