Red Sea Global and Bunat VC to launch AI venture fund powering Saudi Arabia’s innovation ecosystem
Empowering the Kingdom’s next generation of innovators through AI-driven investments that shape a smarter, more sustainable future.
Riyadh, 05 Jan 2026 – Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced a strategic partnership with Bunat Ventures Limited (Bunat VC), to launch a first-of-its-kind venture fund focused on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven startups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The AI Venture Fund will invest in early- and growth-stage startups that are either AI-native or leverage AI as a core enabler of their business models. Over the next three years, the Fund aims to support approximately 25 startups through both pre-seed and growth-stage investments. Beyond capital, the Fund will provide investee companies—particularly those based in Saudi Arabia—with access to world-class infrastructure and a state-of-the-art environment to pilot and validate their technologies within RSG’s real-world operations. This partnership is designed to accelerate the development of these startups into national and regional champions in the AI ecosystem.
With a focus on Saudi-based entrepreneurs and Saudi-founded global ventures expanding into the Kingdom, the Fund aims to unlock new pathways for innovation, job creation, and digital excellence. It is expected to act as a catalyst for the local innovation ecosystem, fostering collaboration between investors, academia, and technology partners. It will also attract global talent and promote knowledge exchange to ensure long-term value creation and sustainable growth.
Khaled Zainalabedin, CEO and Managing Partner at Bunat VC, added: “Our collaboration with Red Sea Global brings together visionary development and agile venture capital. Together, we are building a platform to empower the next generation of Saudi AI pioneers who will redefine industries, shape communities, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the global innovation arena.”
RSG welcomed its first guests to The Red Sea in 2023 and now operates 10 resorts, as well as Red Sea International Airport (RSI), which receives regular flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Doha. This year, Shura Island, the heart of The Red Sea, is opening its first resorts, as well as Shura Links, an 18-hole championship golf course.
About Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global (RSG) is a vertically integrated real estate
developerwith a diverse portfolio across tourism, residential,
experiences,infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and services. This
includes theluxury regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea, which
beganwelcoming guests in 2023, and AMAALA, which remains on track to
welcomefirst guests in 2025.
A third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat openedin 2024. RSG has
also been entrusted with refurbishment works at Al WajhAirport, focused
on upgrading the existing terminal and infrastructure,and building a new
international terminal.
RSG is a PIF company and acornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to
diversify its economy. Acrossits growing portfolio of destinations,
subsidiaries, and businesses, RSGseeks to lead the world towards a more
sustainable future, showing howresponsible development can uplift
communities, drive economies, andenhance the environment.
www.redseaglobal.com
RSG is the visionary company behind some of the world’s most ambitious
development ventures, including luxury regenerative tourism destinations
such as The Red Sea and AMAALA.
Across its portfolio, RSG leverages the most innovative concepts,
strategies, and technologies to deliver projects that actively enhance
the wellbeing of customers, communities, and environments.
