Egyptian education technology startup Farid has entered the Saudi Arabian market, opening a central operations office in Riyadh and finalising a SAR4.5 million (US$1.2 million) partnership to deliver training to 4,000 children and adults.
Founded in 2024 by Mahmoud Hussein, Farid provides one-on-one sessions focused on character development and mental health support for Arab children aged three to 18. The company also offers training programmes to equip young people and graduates with certifications in its educational and psychological methodologies.
Last year, the startup secured US$250,000 in pre-seed funding from Saudi investor Amal bint Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan, supporting its initial growth in Egypt. The move into Saudi Arabia represents Farid’s first regional expansion and forms part of a wider MENA growth plan ahead of a seed funding round.
As part of this strategy, Farid Academy has signed a three-year strategic agreement with the Amad Association for Human Capacity Development. Valued at SAR4.5 million, the collaboration will focus on training and certifying 500 Saudi graduates for careers in coaching and development, alongside delivering educational programmes to more than 4,000 children and adolescents.
The partnership includes 48 training programmes and workshops, with a framework to measure social and educational outcomes. Families will also gain access to discounted programme fees of up to 25 per cent.
Farid’s expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, which places strong emphasis on human capital development and youth empowerment. Hussein described the move as a milestone for the company, underlining its long-term goal to certify 10,000 trainers and reach 10 million children and youth across the Arab region through personality development and mental wellness initiatives.