Saudi Startup Nabt Raises $1.5 Million in Seed Round

• Nabt secured a $1.5 million seed investment from Merak Capital and angel investors, enhancing its potential for growth and market expansion in the agritech sector.
• Nabt connects farmers directly with businesses, eliminating middlemen and improving the efficiency and transparency of the fresh produce supply chain.
• Participation in the Sunbolah FoodTech Accelerator provides Nabt with mentorship, industry expertise, and networking opportunities to enhance its operational capabilities.
• The Saudi agricultural sector is projected to grow significantly, and Nabt’s technology-driven approach positions it as a key player in addressing supply chain challenges and supporting local farmers.

Saudi Arabia’s agritech sector has taken a significant step forward with Nabt, a foodtech startup, securing a $1.5 million seed investment. This funding round, led by Merak Capital and supported by angel investors, marks a crucial milestone for Nabt as it seeks to revolutionize the fresh produce supply chain in Saudi Arabia.

The investment will propel Nabt’s efforts in product development and market expansion, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader goals of advancing food security, sustainability, and economic diversification.

Nabt’s Vision and Innovative Marketplace

Founded in 2022 by Abdullah Alotaibi, Nabt operates as a B2B marketplace that directly connects farmers with businesses. This model eliminates traditional middlemen, creating a streamlined and transparent supply chain.

By enabling direct communication and transactions between farmers and buyers, Nabt aims to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of fresh produce reaching the market. This approach is especially relevant to Saudi Arabia, where local food production is a critical focus within Vision 2030.

With its emphasis on transparency and sustainability, Nabt’s platform addresses both consumer demands for fresh produce and national goals for self-sufficiency in food production.

As Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector continues to expand, Nabt’s platform provides vital support for farmers, fostering a more resilient and efficient agricultural economy. This expansion aligns with the sector’s projected growth, estimated at $18.77 billion in 2024 and expected to reach $24.14 billion by 2029.

Strategic Role of Merak Capital and Visionary Leadership

Merak Capital, a technology-focused investment firm, led Nabt’s funding round, highlighting its commitment to advancing innovative startups in the agritech and foodtech sectors.

• Abdullah Altamami, Merak Capital’s CEO, emphasizes that the firm’s investment aligns with its mission to back technology-driven solutions that impact local markets meaningfully.

Merak’s involvement brings not only capital but also strategic expertise, bolstering Nabt’s journey to reshape the fresh produce industry. Altamami points out that this collaboration with Nabt serves a larger purpose, advancing food security and sustainable agriculture, two crucial aspects of the Kingdom’s development initiatives.

This strategic partnership aligns with Merak’s investment philosophy of supporting high-impact ventures in sectors including transportation, e-commerce, and sustainable agriculture.

Merak Capital’s broader portfolio reflects its dedication to fostering technology in areas that underpin national growth objectives. In Nabt, Merak Capital sees an innovative partner capable of driving change in Saudi Arabia’s food supply chain, addressing critical challenges in food security and resource efficiency.

Sunbolah FoodTech Accelerator

Nabt’s success is partly attributed to its participation in the Sunbolah FoodTech Accelerator, a specialized initiative under the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA).

Launched to support agritech startups, the Sunbolah Accelerator offers Nabt a robust support system, including access to industry experts, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Through this program, Nabt gained valuable insights and expanded its capabilities, positioning it for rapid growth and greater market impact.

• One of the highlights of Nabt’s journey with the Sunbolah Accelerator was its participation in an organized visit to Paris, where the team attended SIAL Paris 2024, a renowned food industry exhibition.

This exposure allowed Nabt to engage directly with European foodtech experts, gaining a deeper understanding of global trends in agricultural technology. This experience enriched Nabt’s perspective, equipping it with knowledge and contacts that will be instrumental as it scales operations and explores potential international collaborations.

Dr. Ali Alsabhan, General Manager of Entrepreneurship at MEWA, applauds Nabt’s commitment to innovation and its alignment with the Ministry’s strategic goals. He recognizes Nabt’s potential to drive meaningful change within Saudi Arabia’s agritech sector, positioning it as a leader in food technology and sustainability.

Abdullah Alotaibi’s Vision for a Sustainable Future

Abdullah Alotaibi, the founder and CEO of Nabt, expresses his gratitude for the support provided by Merak Capital, angel investors, and the Sunbolah FoodTech Accelerator.

Alotaibi highlights Nabt’s mission to create a sustainable and transparent fresh produce supply chain, aimed at directly supporting local farmers. This mission aligns closely with the goals of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious national plan for economic diversification and sustainable development.

For Alotaibi, this investment represents more than just financial growth, it’s an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the nation’s food security and agricultural sector.

By fostering direct connections between farmers and businesses, Nabt not only improves supply chain efficiency but also empowers local farmers, enabling them to benefit directly from market demand. This approach enhances the livelihoods of Saudi farmers and contributes to the Kingdom’s vision of a self-sustaining agricultural sector.

Market Potential and Future Growth

Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector is poised for substantial growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2024 to 2029. Nabt’s role within this expanding sector is strategically important, as the startup seeks to build a reliable and resilient fresh produce infrastructure.

By focusing on food security and leveraging technology, Nabt aims to address crucial supply chain challenges, such as resource allocation and market access for local farmers.

This growth trajectory positions Nabt as a key player within the Saudi agritech ecosystem, supporting the Kingdom’s objectives of economic diversification and sustainable resource management.

Nabt’s technology-driven approach aligns with the increasing demand for fresh produce and a reliable food supply, essential factors as Saudi Arabia continues to develop its local agricultural capabilities. The company’s emphasis on a transparent, farmer-focused model sets it apart, establishing Nabt as a crucial facilitator of agricultural development in the region.

Merak Capital’s Broader Vision and Sectoral Impact

Merak Capital’s investment in Nabt is part of its broader commitment to advancing technology-driven solutions in various sectors vital to Saudi Arabia’s economic growth. The firm’s portfolio reflects a strong focus on innovation across industries, including transportation and sustainable agriculture.

With its latest investment in Nabt, Merak Capital underscores its confidence in the potential of agritech to transform Saudi Arabia’s food production landscape, supporting the Kingdom’s goals for sustainability and technological advancement.

By investing in Nabt, Merak Capital aims to accelerate the adoption of agritech solutions that address real-world challenges in food security and resource management. Nabt’s platform offers a practical solution that not only facilitates direct transactions between farmers and businesses but also aligns with the Kingdom’s objectives of achieving a sustainable and resilient food supply chain.

Merak Capital’s support enables Nabt to push forward with its mission, bridging gaps within the Saudi agricultural market and contributing to a forward-looking, tech-driven agritech ecosystem.

A Promising Future for Nabt and Saudi Agritech

With substantial funding and strategic support, Nabt is well-positioned to lead Saudi Arabia’s agritech transformation. The $1.5 million investment, spearheaded by Merak Capital and bolstered by the Sunbolah FoodTech Accelerator, gives Nabt the resources needed to enhance its platform and broaden its market presence.

Nabt’s innovative B2B marketplace is not just a business model, it represents a forward-thinking approach that addresses the Kingdom’s critical need for a sustainable and self-sufficient food system.

As Saudi Arabia continues to prioritize food security and local food production, Nabt’s role within the agricultural sector is set to grow. With a strong vision and a committed team, Nabt stands ready to contribute to a sustainable future, driving meaningful change in the Kingdom’s food supply chain and establishing itself as a cornerstone of Saudi agritech.

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