هيدو
Riyadh-based app that lets visitors book Saudi guides, host families and local experiences; it received initial funding from the Tourism Development Fund in 2022 and closed a new round in May 2026.
Industry: Local tourism experiences platform | Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
About هيدو
Hido is a Saudi mobile app that connects visitors with local tourism and cultural experiences in Saudi Arabia. Its headquarters is in Riyadh, at the COD Digital Business Center in the Al Mursalat district. The company says its name comes from the traditional chant of Mudar ibn Nizar, an ancestor of the Arabs, and that it aims to link travellers with local communities and the stories of each destination.
Hido's own LinkedIn account has shared a profile naming Wojoud Al Ubaid as its founder. The app is listed on Apple's App Store under the seller name Establishment Hida Commercial. Hido's pages do not state a founding date.
The app works as an on-demand booking platform. Visitors search an interactive map for Saudi tour guides, adventure enthusiasts and host families, message them and book, and locals can bid on a visitor's request. The company lists local tours, stays and meals in Saudi homes and farms, outdoor activities and local events such as weddings, date festivals and camel racing. TechScoop groups the offering into interactive cultural tours, local hospitality, outdoor adventures and social events. Coverage in May 2026 reported more than 1,000 guides and host families on the platform, more than 45 tourism services and experiences, and more than 350 job opportunities. Hido says it has integrated with the national Absher platform and added artificial intelligence to personalise tour suggestions.
Hido received its initial funding from the Tourism Development Fund in 2022, which MENA Startup Digest says helped build the first prototype. In 2024 it joined the fund's Tourism Growth Accelerator for three months, then its Tourism Growth Incubator for ten months. In May 2026 it became the official tourism partner of Al-Kholood Sports Club.
In May 2026 Hido announced a new investment round with Ben Harburg, described as the owner of Al-Kholood Club, and Shaddah Creative Studio, with support from the Tourism Development Fund. The amount was not disclosed. Hido said it will use the money to expand across the kingdom, upgrade its technology and customer experience, improve operational readiness and grow strategic partnerships.
Leadership
- Ben Harburg, Investor