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Korea’s FuturePlay & Saudi’s MOI Partner to Back Korean Startups Entry into MENA

by WAYA Staff - Dec 1, 2025
Korea’s FuturePlay & Saudi’s MOI Partner to Back Korean Startups Entry into MENA
  • Korea’s FuturePlay signed an MOU with Saudi Ministry of Investment to support Korean startups entering the Saudi market.
  • The partnership targets joint investments in healthcare, fintech, logistics, AI, advanced manufacturing, and aims to develop the Saudi Stars program.
  • FuturePlay, founded in 2013, operates a full-cycle investment system covering accelerators, venture capital, and private equity for tech-focused startups.

FuturePlay

Korea-based  investment firm FuturePlay signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment. This aims to support Korean startups’ entry into the regional market and encourage joint investments into promising firms.

This agreement brings the potential to serve as a stepping stone for further cooperation in the startup and VC ecosystem.

Startups

Together, under the agreement, they aim to support firms invested in by FuturePlay and other Korean startups entering Saudi Arabia. They also aim to make joint investments in health care, fintech, logistics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, they aim to jointly develop Saudi Stars, a program designed to nurture promising entrepreneurs in the kingdom.

“This MOU is a major milestone for Korean startups seeking to enter the Middle East and a stepping stone toward establishing a new startup ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. The partnership will significantly strengthen exchange between startups in both countries and expand global collaboration,” said FuturePlay CEO Kwon Oh-hyoung.

Founded in 2013, FuturePlay is a venture capital firm investing in startups from early to later stages. It focuses on technology, lifestyle, entertainment and platform startups. It operates a full-cycle investment system spanning from accelerator, venture capital and private equity functions.


Bottom line: FuturePlay’s MOU with the Saudi Ministry of Investment formalizes cooperation to support Korean startups entering the Saudi market and joint investments. The agreement also includes developing programs like Saudi Stars, aiming to nurture entrepreneurs and strengthen startup collaboration between the countries.

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