Founder & CEO - SME Neobank (Riyadh)

About Sanabil Venture Studio

Sanabil Venture Studio is a partnership between Sanabil Investments and Stryber, designed to build high-impact startups in Saudi Arabia. Our mission is to identify new opportunities, rapidly validate ideas, and support visionary founders in launching and scaling transformative companies. With access to institutional capital, hands-on venture building expertise, and an expansive regional network, we are reimagining what entrepreneurship can look like in the Kingdom.

The Opportunity: SME Neobank

We are launching a digital-first Neobank tailored specifically to the needs of SMEs in Saudi Arabia - a segment long underserved by traditional financial institutions. The platform will offer smart, mobile-first solutions for payments, lending, deposits, and general financial management, built from the ground up for small business owners and freelancers across the Kingdom.

This venture aims to solve deep-rooted problems in SME banking: complex onboarding, limited access to credit, lack of digital tools, and poor customer support. By combining embedded finance, advanced credit analytics, and seamless UX, we will create a frictionless experience that meets the evolving demands of Saudi entrepreneurs.

Your Role as Founder & CEO

As the Founder & CEO, you will take full ownership of this venture from early concept to scale. Backed by Sanabil Venture Studio and with hands-on support from our team of venture builders, you will:

• Define and implement a strategic roadmap, ensuring market fit, regulatory alignment, and traction
• Assemble and lead a world-class team across product, technology, operations, and growth
• Drive go-to-market strategy, including acquisition, partnerships, and distribution for customers
• Oversee key company functions, including product, risk, operations, finance, and fundraising
• Build strong relationships with regulators (e.g. SAMA) and local banking partners
• Set a high-performing, mission-driven culture, anchored in transparency, ownership, and impact
• Manage cash flow, equity planning, and capital raising, including seed and future rounds
• Represent the brand, building credibility with stakeholders, clients, and the fintech ecosystem
  
  

Who You Are

• A Saudi National, currently based in the Kingdom
• A seasoned operator or founder, with 8+ years of experience in financial services or fintech
• Proven leadership experience in scaling ventures or business lines
• Deep understanding of SME pain points, including lending, cash flow, payments, and regulation
• Track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams in fast-paced, scaling environments
• Strong grasp of financial operations, product development, and compliance in a regulated space
• Commercially driven with a bias for execution, but strategic enough to build for the long-term
• Resilient, adaptable, and energized by ambiguity - comfortable making bold decisions fast
• Ideally holds an MBA or Master’s from a top-tier institution (preferred, but not required)
  
  

What We Offer

• Founder equity in a high-potential fintech venture with national and regional impact
• Backing from Sanabil Venture Studio - capital, expertise, and ecosystem support from day one
• Rare opportunity to build and lead a category-defining company for KSA’s next economic chapter
• Operational support from a seasoned venture team (Stryber) through the first phases of growth
• Access to senior advisors, regulatory support, and follow-on funding to scale your vision quickly