Private debt in GCC hit USD 4.1 bn last year — overtaking venture capital for the first time

Private debt has quietly overtaken venture capital as the Gulf's dominant startup financing tool for the first time report by Stride Ventures

GCC private debt deployment hit USD 4.1 bn in 2025

Fintech’s dominance is striking even within private debt

A lot of the funds are targeted toward Saudi:

Growth credit still dominates:

Founders are using this capital offensively, not defensively.

Who’s driving the market?

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