Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب

Business Counselor | Co- Founder @ Thimsa | Co-Founder & Chairman @ AM-MENA Group | I help US-MENA business expansions in new markets | $150M+ in deals

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

2025 was quite a year, full of growth and moments I’ll always remember.

Looking back, I’m grateful for all the amazing people, projects, and experiences that helped shape this year.

There were some big wins, of course, but also those quiet, smaller moments that remind me why I love what I do.

Looking ahead, I’m feeling energized for 2026. There’s so much more to build, more to learn, and more opportunities to create together.

Here’s to more opportunities and connections in the year ahead.

Wishing everyone a happy New Year! 🎉 May 2026 be your best one yet! 💫

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

شهد الفنتك الخليجي في مايو تطورات في مدفوعات الذكاء الاصطناعي، التراخيص المصرفية الرقمية، والأصول الرقمية.

ومن أبرزها:

← Visa تطلق برنامج Agentic Ready لتمكين مدفوعات الذكاء الاصطناعي في المنطقة

← البنك المركزي الإماراتي يمنح Mal موافقة مبدئية لإنشاء بنك رقمي إسلامي

← Kraken تحصل على موافقة VARA المبدئية للعمل في دبي

← السعودية: قطاع الفنتك يصل إلى 301 شركة في 2025

وغيرها من التطورات المهمة.

هذا الملف 👇 يستعرض أهم ١٠ أحداث في فنتك الخليج خلال مايو

🔁 إذا وجدت المحتوى مفيد، شاركه مع غيرك.

📲 وتابع Rayan Fouad Azab, MBA لمزيد من المحتوى عن الفنتك في الخليج.

#BusinessWithAzab

https://t.co/cHmHOT8tGX

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

اللهم تقبّل منا ومنكم صالح الأعمال، وبارك في أهلنا وأحبابنا، واجعل هذا العيد رحمةً تجمع القلوب.

عيد أضحى مبارك، أعاده الله عليكم وعلى أمتنا بالخير والسلام.

أخوكم،

المستشار / ريان فؤاد عزب

May Allah accept our good deeds and yours, shower His mercy and blessings upon you and your loved ones, and make this blessed Eid a source of peace, unity, and happiness for our hearts and homes.

On this sacred occasion of Eid Al-Adha, may Allah grant us all good health, endless barakah, success in this life and the Hereafter, and strengthen the bonds of family, friendship, and community.

Eid Al-Adha Mubarak. May Allah return it upon you, your family, and our entire Ummah with goodness, prosperity, mercy, and peace for many years to come.

With sincere wishes and warm regards,

Business Counselor / Rayan Fouad Azab

#BusinessWithAzab

[سلمان بن عبدالعزيز @KingSalman]

نشكر المولى عز وجل أن شرّفنا بخدمة الحرمين الشريفين، ورعاية حجاج بيته الحرام، سائلين الله أن يتقبل من الحجاج حجهم ونسكهم وطاعاتهم.
ومع حلول عيد الأضحى المبارك، نهنئ شعبنا في هذا الوطن المبارك وأمتنا الإسلامية بهذه المناسبة، وندعوه سبحانه أن يجعله عيد خير وسلام واستقرار على أمتنا والعالم أجمع.
وكل عام وأنتم بخير.

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

The UAE led MENA M&A activity in 2025 with 131 domestic deals.

But the bigger shift is in who's buying.

UAE-based platforms like dubizzle and CPX are becoming strategic acquirers, consolidating the ecosystem from within.

International buyers remain active, but UAE-based platforms are now part of the exit equation in a way they weren't before.

That changes the exit calculation for founders operating in the UAE.

You're not building exclusively for a foreign exit anymore. You're building for regional acquirers who already understand your market, your customers, and your unit economics.

Capital cycles are also compressing. Platforms founded as recently as 2019 were already exiting through strategic acquisitions in 2025.

Buyers are moving earlier to capture market position before valuations inflate.

This is what ecosystem maturity looks like.

The infographic 👇 gives a snapshot of the UAE's 2025 exit activity, M&A transactions, and three startup IPOs.

💾 Save this if you're tracking investment and exit activity in the UAE.

📲 Follow Rayan Fouad Azab, MBA for more on business and investment in the Gulf.

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

Over the years working between the GCC and U.S. markets, I’ve realized something very important: many startups and companies do not fail because of bad ideas — they fail because they enter markets without the right structure, positioning, forecasting, or understanding of how business is actually done on the ground.

Because of this, I’ve decided to begin releasing practical, cost-friendly digital resources and templates based on real experience — not theory.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬:

🔹 How to enter the Saudi & GCC markets
🔹 Business setup and structuring
🔹 Investor-ready pitch decks
🔹 Fundraising preparation
🔹 Cross-border business strategy
🔹 Real operational insights from the field

For example, instead of a founder spending USD 15,000–50,000 learning through mistakes, failed expansion attempts, and trial-and-error consulting, these tools are meant to provide practical frameworks and guidance to help companies move smarter from day one.

This is being built from my real experience across fintech, healthcare, advisory, events, fundraising, and international expansion projects throughout the GCC and the United States.

More coming soon.

#SaudiArabia #GCC #Startups #Fundraising #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Fintech #MarketEntry #MENA #BusinessStrategy #AI

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

https://t.co/YGRaHBGSHK

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

Excited to share my latest feature in Retail People Magazine by @MECSROfficial.

In it, I cover how private lending and fintech are reshaping healthcare and retail financing across the GCC.

Full article link in the comments.

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

If you're planning to enter Saudi, the question right now is:

do you move forward despite the regional tension or wait?

In the latest edition of my LinkedIn newsletter, I look at where the Saudi market stands after more than 45 days of regional tension.

https://t.co/lWrBGPyo1Q

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

Saudi consumers and businesses are changing how they borrow.

Total bank credit reached SAR 3.17 trillion in mid-2025, a 16% increase year-on-year, the fastest expansion in over three years.

*But the surge isn’t limited to banks.* Lending is expanding across every segment of the market:

→ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 73 SAMA-licensed finance companies now active in the market

→ 𝐁𝐍𝐏𝐋: reached $1.48 billion in 2025, growing at 23% annually between 2021 and 2024

→ 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: real estate loans hit SAR 922.2 billion in Q1 2025, up 15% year-on-year

→ 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬: STC Bank and D360 now offer personal lending products entirely through digital channels

→ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐌𝐄 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: MSME lending surged 31% in Q1 2025, with fintech platforms emerging to serve the segments banks underserve

These numbers only became possible after 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐀 expanded its finance company licensing framework and introduced dedicated 𝐁𝐍𝐏𝐋 regulations.

These moves changed who can lend, to whom, and under what conditions.

And with open banking now under full commercial licensing, more players are entering the market.

In 2026, your challenge as a founder is deciding which lending segment you can enter and defend.

That starts with knowing what's already taken, what's still open, and how the market is structured.

The infographic 👇 maps the key players shaping each layer of the Saudi lending market.

💾 Save it for reference.

📌 Evaluating Saudi market entry in 2026? DM me, and I'll walk you through which segment fits your model.

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

The GCC has 18 startups that have crossed $1B in valuation.

The UAE leads by unicorn count, and Saudi leads by total valuation.

These unicorns span 12 sectors:

→ Fintech (5 companies)

→ Proptech, Web3, Food Tech (2 each)

→ 9 other sectors (1 each)

Only a decade ago, the GCC celebrated its first unicorn. Today there are 18.

Some were acquired, and some went public.

And all of them show where the GCC market has been tested at scale.

The infographic 👇 lists all 18 GCC unicorns ranked by valuation.

💾 Save it for reference.

🔁 Share with founders or investors tracking the GCC ecosystem.

📌 A GCC or US founder exploring the GCC? DM me, and I'll walk you through how the ecosystem fits your stage and model.

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

@"The Unwritten Rules of US Business GCC Founders Learn the Hard Way
"https://t.co/GqafFaYhaO on @LinkedIn

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

من جدّ وجد، واللي صبر نال المقام
واللي تعب في دربه، يلقى الفخر قدّام

ما يرتفع قدر الرجال إلا بكدٍّ واجتهاد
ولا يجي مجد الليالي بالنوم ولا بالرقاد

ازرع طموحك في الزمن، واسقه عزمٍ واتقاد
تلقى النجاح يمد لك كفّه، ويهديك المراد

الدرب ما هو بالسهل، فيه العثر وفيه الكفاح
لكن عزيمة من صدق، تفتح له أقفال النجاح

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 — 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

Over the past few years, I’ve been deeply involved in conversations, structuring, and on-ground assessments across the healthcare ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. One thing is very clear:

The gap is real. And so is the opportunity.

Saudi Arabia is facing a structural shortage in healthcare capacity, especially when it comes to hospital beds, specialized care, and accessibility in secondary cities and high-demand zones.

🔹The Kingdom currently has ~2.2 beds per 1,000 people, below the OECD average (~4.7)

🔹Population is projected to exceed 40 million by 2030

🔹Demand is rising not just from growth — but from aging population trends and chronic disease prevalence

At the same time, Vision 2030 is not just a vision — it’s being executed.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 (𝗠𝗢𝗛) 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿:

👉Privatization of public hospitals through health clusters
👉Expanding Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
👉Encouraging foreign investment through Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA)
👉Driving efficiency through platforms like NPHIES (national health information exchange)
👉Opening the door for insurance-backed, tech-enabled healthcare delivery models

This is not theoretical anymore. It’s happening.

𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻?

The mistake many investors make is thinking healthcare = hospitals only.

That’s outdated.

The real opportunity lies in how you plug into the system, not just build within it.

From what we are building and structuring, the opportunity spans across:

🎯Modular / Mobile Medical Units

🎯 Medical Financing & Receivables Solutions - Solving the 60–90 day insurance payment delays that are choking providers

🎯Specialized Outpatient & Day-Care Centers - Higher margins, faster ROI vs traditional hospitals

🎯AI + Data Integration - Leveraging platforms like NPHIES to optimize claims, underwriting, and patient flow

🎯Public-Private Execution Models - Partnering with operators instead of carrying full licensing and operational burden early

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘄?

Because we are at the intersection of:

✔ Government push
✔ Regulatory opening
✔ Capital interest
✔ Real operational gaps

And most importantly

✔ A system that is ready to partner, not just regulate

My view as an operator on the ground:

Saudi healthcare is no longer a “long-term play.”

It is an execution market.

The winners will not be the ones who wait for perfect conditions —
They will be the ones who understand the gaps, structure correctly, and move fast with the right partners.

If you’re looking at entering the Saudi healthcare space — whether as an investor, operator, or technology provider — this is the time to have the right conversations.

Because the market isn’t just growing…

It’s being built.

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

The IMF just cut GCC growth forecasts for 2026. The same report projects a stronger 2027 across all six states.

Regional tension is creating near-term pressure. Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain are projected to see GDP decline in 2026.

But the same IMF report projects a full regional rebound in 2027. Qatar rebounds to +8.6%, UAE to 5.3%, and Saudi Arabia to 4.5%.

All six states are in positive growth in 2027.

This isn't the first time the GCC has faced this kind of pressure. It has absorbed major shocks before and recovered each time:

🔹 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬: Non-oil GDP grew ~2.8% while advanced economies contracted

🔹 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒–𝟏𝟔 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞: Oil lost 70% of its value. Economic reforms followed. Investor risk premium fell from 6.6% to 2.4% by 2025.

🔹 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜: The region rebounded from a 4.8% contraction to positive growth within a year.

The 2027 projections follow the same trajectory.

*The infographic 👇 maps current IMF forecasts for the GCC by country and how the region recovered from three major crises.*

Follow @Razab, for more on GCC market expansion.

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 $𝟏.𝟕𝟐𝐁 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐮𝐩 𝟏𝟒𝟓% 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐧-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝗬𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗖 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹.

The reason is that 89% of deals in H1 2025 were early-stage. Later-stage capital went to a few late-stage companies: Tamara, Tabby, and Ninja.

So even as VC in the Gulf expands, access stays selective and time-intensive.

Alternative structures offer faster access and less dilution. Three structures are gaining traction in the region:

🔹 Venture debt products expanding in Saudi

🔹 Equity crowdfunding platforms licensed in the UAE

🔹 Revenue-based financing for SaaS and e-commerce

The infographic 👇 compares these models against traditional VC across approval timelines, capital access, and repayment terms.

Each model has different trade-offs. Choose funding that aligns with your sector economics and cash flow profile.

📌 If you're planning entry into Saudi or the UAE and want to assess which model fits your stage, DM me.

#BusinessWithAzab

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

في عالم يتغير بسرعة،
لم يعد كافيًا أن يكون العمل الخيري قائمًا على التبرع فقط…
الاستدامة هي الأساس.

من خلال خبرتي في تطوير وتشغيل المشاريع الطبية، شفت بشكل مباشر كيف مشاريع تبدأ بنوايا قوية، لكنها تتوقف بسبب غياب نموذج تشغيلي واضح واستدامة مالية حقيقية.

وهنا كانت القناعة بالنسبة لي:
👈 الأوقاف والجمعيات يمكن أن تعيش لعقود — بل لأجيال — إذا بُنيت على نموذج تشغيلي ذكي ومدر للدخل.

أنا أؤمن إن التحدي اليوم مو في إطلاق المشاريع…
التحدي الحقيقي في استمراريتها ونموها.

في القطاع الصحي تحديدًا، الحل واضح:
🔹 مشاريع تشغيلية فعليًا (عيادات، وحدات متنقلة، خدمات موسمية)
🔹 ربط الأثر الاجتماعي بدخل مستدام
🔹 بناء منظومة مالية ذاتية الاستدامة
🔹 إعادة استثمار العوائد بدل الاعتماد الكامل على التبرعات

من تجربتي، الأوقاف لازم تتحول من فكرة “صرف” إلى:
أصل حي… يعمل، ينمو، ويخدم المجتمع بشكل مستمر

الفرق الحقيقي يكون لما نربط بين:
الاحتياج + التشغيل + الاستدامة المالية

وقتها فقط ننتقل من:
❌ مبادرات مؤقتة
إلى
✅ مشاريع تخدم أجيال

هذه هي الرؤية اللي أشتغل عليها يوميًا مع المشاريع والشركاء:
بناء نماذج تخلي الخير مستدام…
وليس مؤقت.

#الأوقاف #القطاع_الصحي #الاستدامة #رؤية_السعودية #الاستثمار_الاجتماعي #Healthcare #Impact #MENA

[Abdullah AL-Khmais @AZK_SA]

قصة تخارج مؤسس #تمارا من شركة #نعناع 🌿 الذي ساهم في تأسيسها.

يقول:
وجدت المستقبل في دفتر البقالة و ليس في التوصيل.. فأسست شركة تحاكي "دفتر البقالة"

القيمة السوقية اليوم لـ #تمارا : 1 مليار دولار
شركة نعناع: تواجه شبح الإفلاس

[Rayan F. Azab /ريان فؤاد عزب @Razab]

@alsubaih_ @Fx7EhlgS1fQizVb الله يرحمه و يرحم جميع موتانا

[Asharq Business اقتصاد الشرق @AsharqBusiness]

📍وزير المالية السعودي محمد الجدعان: واجهنا انتقادات سابقة بسبب رصد أموال ضخمة للاستثمار في خط (شرق-غرب)، إلا أن العالم يشكر المملكة اليوم على هذا الأصل كونه يمثل "شريان حياة" للاقتصاد العالمي عبر تصدير 5 ملايين برميل نفط يومياً.

🔴 تابعوا اقتصاد الشرق للمزيد

[عبدالله الفوزان @econabdullah]

النضج الحقيقي إنك تستوعب:

1. بالنهاية بتموت، وبعد فترة أغلب الناس ما بيهتمون.
2. الناس يستخدمونك لين ما تصير ما لك فايدة.
3. كثير ناس في سرّهم يتمنون لك الفشل.
4. بيجي يوم تقول: ليتني بديت من اليوم.
5. أغلب الناس يمثلون السعادة وهم من داخل منهارين.
6. ما فيه أحد جاي ينقذك.
7. بينحكم عليك مهما سويت.
8. صحتك هي أغلى شيء تملكه.
9. السعادة مؤقتة — الانضباط هو اللي يدوم.
10. النجاح ياخذ وقت أكثر مما تتخيل.
11. محد يحترم الضعف حتى لو تعاطف معك.
12. الشكوى ما تغيّر شي.
13. مو كل شخص تحبه بيحبك بنفس القدر.
14. الفلوس ما تحل كل مشاكلك — بس تحل أغلبها.
15. السوشال ميديا تكذب عليك كل يوم.
16. في وظيفتك أنت قابل للاستبدال.
17. الحياة مو عادلة — تعوّد.
18. بيجي يوم وتخلص أيامك.
19. الندم يوجع أكثر من الفشل.
20. محد مهتم بأعذارك. اشتغل أكثر.

كل ما فهمت هالكلام بدري، صارت حياتك أفضل وأسهل.