Saudi proptech Ghanem secures $7.1M to expand fractional real estate platform

Riyadh — Saudi proptech startup [Ghanem] has secured $7.1 million from the Al-Romaih Group to advance its digital fractional real estate ownership platform. Established in 2025 by Saleh Al-Ghamdi and Amr Essam, the company currently operates within the Regulatory Sandbox of the Saudi Real Estate General Authority (REGA). The capital injection is intended to reduce entry barriers for both individual and institutional investors in the domestic property market, offering transparent and flexible investment avenues. This strategic development directly supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives concerning digital transformation and the diversification of real estate assets. The newly acquired funds will be deployed to broaden product offerings, upgrade technological infrastructure, and expand the base of real estate investment across the Kingdom, representing a notable step toward democratizing property investment in Saudi Arabia. The fractional real estate ownership model divides property assets into smaller, accessible shares, lowering the financial threshold for investors who previously faced substantial capital requirements. Operating under the REGA Regulatory Sandbox allows Ghanem to test this model within a structured, overseen environment while refining its core product offerings. The startup specializes in providing these fractional ownership tools, and the capital will accelerate product development and market expansion. The Saudi real estate market has historically demanded high capital outlays, restricting access primarily to wealthy individuals and large institutions. By introducing a fractional ownership structure, Ghanem aims to open this lucrative asset class to a wider demographic. This approach enables participation in smaller increments, reducing the financial burden on individual investors and allowing them to diversify their portfolios with assets that were previously inaccessible. This shift is particularly relevant in a market characterized by steadily rising property values that often outpace average income growth. The ability to invest smaller amounts of capital into real estate assets provides a new avenue for wealth generation for a segment of the population that has historically been excluded from direct property ownership. Furthermore, Ghanem's digital-first platform introduces efficiency and transparency to property transactions. Investors gain access to detailed property information, real-time investment tracking, and streamlined execution processes. This emphasis on transparency is designed to build trust by providing clear visibility into property valuations, rental yields, and associated costs, which is essential for mitigating typical real estate investment risks. The digital nature of the platform also caters to a younger, tech-savvy generation of investors who expect seamless, accessible financial services. By providing a user-friendly interface and comprehensive data, Ghanem seeks to empower investors to make informed decisions regarding their property portfolios. Ghanem's integration into the REGA Regulatory Sandbox is central to its operational strategy. This environment enables the startup to align its digital fractional ownership platform with existing regulatory standards while seeking to offer flexible investment opportunities. The $7.1 million capital injection will support ongoing platform development to ensure compliance with the requirements of both regulators and investors. The sandbox provides a controlled setting where innovative business models can be tested without the immediate burden of full regulatory compliance, allowing the company to identify potential risks and develop robust frameworks in collaboration with authorities. This collaborative approach between the private sector and regulatory bodies is crucial for fostering innovation while maintaining market stability and protecting consumer interests. Operating within the REGA framework also lends legitimacy to Ghanem's platform, as investors are more likely to trust a service operating under the oversight of a recognized regulatory body. This oversight ensures adherence to best practices in consumer protection, data privacy, and anti-money laundering. As the platform matures and eventually transitions out of the sandbox, the foundational compliance established during this phase will be critical for navigating the broader financial sector's regulatory landscape. The insights gained from operating within the sandbox will also inform future regulatory frameworks for fractional real estate ownership in Saudi Arabia, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of this investment model. The initiative to lower entry thresholds for investors aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for digital transformation and economic diversification. By facilitating broader participation in property investment, Ghanem contributes to the growth and maturation of the real estate sector, a key component in diversifyin