Saudi Arabia Startups: GBT Raises $1.3M for Geospatial AI

Saudi startup GulfBoost Technology secures $1.3 million in pre seed funding to expand its geospatial AI platform, targeting infrastructure and urban planning applications across the Kingdom.

Saudi based deep tech startup GulfBoost Technology (GBT) has closed a $1.3 million pre seed funding round to accelerate the deployment of its geospatial artificial intelligence platform, as early stage investment continues to flow into infrastructure focused AI technologies across the Kingdom. The Riyadh headquartered company specialises in integrating satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), and machine learning to deliver spatial intelligence for urban planning, logistics optimisation, and resource management. The capital will primarily support platform development, team expansion, and market penetration across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council region.

The funding comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is aggressively pursuing digital transformation under its Vision 2030 framework, which places strong emphasis on localising advanced technologies and data driven infrastructure. GBT’s focus on geospatial AI responds to growing demand for real time spatial data processing across construction, telecommunications, energy, and smart infrastructure projects. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, the company’s platform is designed to deliver hyper-localised mapping and context-aware analytics that align with Saudi Arabia’s geographic, regulatory, and data governance requirements.

Regional venture activity around specialised AI platforms has intensified in parallel. Egyptian supply chain startup Qara recently raised $2.6 million, as reported by Wamda, to expand its AI powered logistics platform, while Khwarizmi Ventures announced plans for a $120 million fund, according to Wamda, focused on backing high-growth startups across the Middle East and North Africa. These developments reflect broader investor interest in infrastructure layer technologies capable of serving multiple sectors, positioning geospatial AI as a foundational capability rather than a niche application.

Globally, the geospatial AI market continues to expand as enterprises increasingly rely on location based intelligence to inform decision-making. In Saudi Arabia, large scale national projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and multiple smart city initiatives are generating sustained demand for advanced spatial analytics. GBT’s local operating presence provides an advantage over international competitors that may face challenges related to data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, or access to region-specific datasets, particularly as data localisation requirements continue to tighten across the GCC.

Saudi Arabia’s broader startup ecosystem has also recorded several high profile funding rounds in recent years. Foodics raised $170 million in 2021, according to Arabian Business, to scale its restaurant technology platform, while fintech companies such as Lean Technologies have secured significant capital to build open banking infrastructure across the region. While GBT operates in a distinct deep-tech vertical, these transactions highlight the increasing maturity of Saudi venture capital markets and growing investor confidence in locally developed technology platforms.

With fresh capital secured and a defined product roadmap, GBT enters a critical scaling phase focused on technical execution, customer acquisition, and talent growth. As demand for geospatial intelligence rises alongside Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure ambitions, the company is positioned to address an underserved segment of the regional AI market while navigating the complexities of enterprise adoption and government procurement.