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STV
Abdulrahman Tarabzouni's STV runs $1.4b+ AUM as the largest VC in the Middle East, backing Tabby and Careem from Riyadh.
STV
STV was founded in 2018 in Riyadh by Abdulrahman Tarabzouni, a former Google executive who returned to Saudi Arabia to build a tech investment platform for the MENA region. The firm has since deployed capital into more than 30 startups, establishing itself as a dominant local venture player. The firm invests across early-stage, growth, and late-stage venture, with a recent expansion into dedicated AI-native startups. Its portfolio spans fintech, enterprise software, and logistics, with confirmed positions including Tabby, Careem, and Salla. STV co-invests alongside global names — Google is the anchor backer of its dedicated $100 million AI Fund, and Saudi telecom T2 co-led the seed round of Sawt, the fund's first investment. STV lists 17 professionals on its team page, led by Tarabzouni and four General Partners: Ahmad AlNaimi, Dr. Mazin Alzaidi, Ihsan Jawad, and Luca Barbi, who also serves as COO. Beyond its core funds, the firm operates STV Alpha, a talent track for aspiring venture investors and entrepreneurs in MENA. In May 2026, STV publicly launched the Google-backed AI Fund to concentrate capital on AI-native startups across the Middle East and North Africa. STV functions as a generalist venture manager but has steadily differentiated itself through a dedicated fund architecture that targets sovereign and corporate strategic LPs. The Google-anchored AI Fund represents a structural shift — moving the firm from a single generalist pool to a thematic vehicle that aligns with Saudi Arabia's national technology push.
General information
Firm type
Generalist
Year founded
2018
AUM
$1.4b+ (per firm website, 2026)
Location
Region
Middle East
Country
Saudi Arabia
City
Riyadh
Corporate office
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Principals
Abdulrahman Tarabzouni
Founder & CEO
Ahmad AlNaimi
General Partner
Dr. Mazin Alzaidi
General Partner
Ihsan Jawad
General Partner
Luca Barbi
General Partner & COO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at STV?
Founder and CEO Abdulrahman Tarabzouni leads the investment team, supported by four General Partners: Ahmad AlNaimi, Dr. Mazin Alzaidi, Ihsan Jawad, and Luca Barbi. Decisions appear to be made collectively at the GP level, with Tarabzouni setting firm strategy.
How does STV source proprietary deal flow?
STV leverages its Riyadh headquarters and Tarabzouni's deep ties to both the Saudi technology ecosystem and Silicon Valley. The firm's partnership with Google and corporates like T2 provides a pipeline of AI-native startups, while its brand as the region's largest venture platform attracts founders across MENA.
Is STV structured as a family office or a venture firm?
STV operates as a venture capital and growth equity asset manager, not a family office. It raises capital from external LPs, including Google, and manages pooled funds rather than a single-family balance sheet.
Does STV participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
STV makes direct venture and growth equity investments. Public information does not indicate a fund-of-funds or LP commitment strategy; the firm's disclosed activity is exclusively direct company investments.
How is STV related to Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth or government?
No public disclosure confirms STV is directly backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) or Saudi government. The firm is a Riyadh-based independent manager that has secured backing from global tech corporates like Google, though it aligns thematically with Saudi Arabia's national technology ambitions.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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