Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 20- jan 2025– Arable, an innovative AgriTech startup co-founded by Lawrence Ong (CEO) and Christina Khalife (COO), with support from Executive Partners Marc and Anthony Eid, has announced the successful closure of its $2.55 million (SAR 9.75 million) Seed funding round. This milestone reflects the company’s commitment to pioneering sustainable hydroponic farming systems tailored to the Kingdom’s unique climate and agricultural needs.
The funding round, supported by institutional and private investors, saw an impressive 90% of contributions coming from international backers. The capital will be deployed within Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the Kingdom’s agricultural transformation in alignment with Vision 2030.
Transforming Agriculture for Saudi Arabia’s Climate
Arable’s cutting-edge hydroponic systems are designed specifically for the arid and high-temperature conditions of Saudi Arabia and the GCC region. Unlike imported solutions developed for temperate climates, Arable’s technology addresses local challenges while offering significant advantages:
- 4x faster setup time.
- 4x lower installation costs.
- 2.5x reduced operational costs.
Moreover, 80% of Arable’s components are locally sourced or manufactured, significantly reducing dependency on foreign imports while boosting domestic innovation and production.
Driving Vision 2030 Goals
This achievement underscores Arable’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives to reduce food imports and increase local food production. The company’s scalable and sustainable farming systems aim to establish the Kingdom as a global leader in high-quality fresh produce exports.
“Saudi Arabia offers a fertile ecosystem for startups like Arable, thanks to the support of organizations such as the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA), the Ministry of Investment (MISA), and Monshaat,” stated Lawrence Ong, CEO of Arable. “These partnerships have enabled us to rapidly scale and deliver transformative agricultural solutions tailored to the Kingdom’s needs.”
Strategic Partnerships Fuel Growth
The company’s success is bolstered by collaboration with key Saudi stakeholders, including MEWA, MISA, the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and Monshaat. These partnerships have played a pivotal role in facilitating Arable’s journey to redefine agriculture in the region.
Dr. Ali Alsabhan, General Manager of Entrepreneurship at MEWA, remarked, “Arable’s innovative approach, combining cost-efficiency, sustainability, and local sourcing, exemplifies the potential of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector. Their ability to attract international investment while contributing to food security aligns perfectly with our national goals.”
About Arable
Founded with a vision to transform agriculture, Arable designs and operates hydroponic farming systems tailored to the GCC’s climate. By focusing on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, Arable aims to drive Saudi Arabia’s agricultural self-sufficiency while positioning the Kingdom as a global exporter of fresh produce.
