Betting on the backbone of gaming, not just games
Saudi Arabia-based Qwacks has raised $480,000 in pre-seed funding, led by Merak Capital, as it works to build foundational technology for game studios in the region.
Rather than developing consumer games, Qwacks is positioning itself deeper in the gaming value chain—creating tools and backend infrastructure to support developers, publishers, and live-ops teams.
Infrastructure for a growing Saudi gaming ecosystem
Saudi Arabia has committed billions to gaming through national initiatives and sovereign funds, but local studios still rely heavily on imported tools and platforms.
Qwacks aims to change that by developing a unified gametech stack, including:
- Backend-as-a-service for game studios
- AI-assisted testing and analytics
- Tools for live-operations and performance monitoring
The startup’s platform is designed to shorten development cycles and reduce operational friction for regional developers.
Early capital, long-term play
The pre-seed funding will support:
- Product development
- Early customer pilots with regional studios
- Team expansion across engineering and gaming operations
While modest in size, the round reflects growing investor confidence in infrastructure-level gaming plays, particularly as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a global gaming hub.
Editor’s Note — The Startups MENA Team
The future of gaming in MENA won’t be defined only by blockbuster titles—it will be shaped by the platforms that enable hundreds of studios to build sustainably.
Qwacks represents a new class of Saudi startups: technically deep, ecosystem-focused, and aligned with long-term national ambition. As the Kingdom invests heavily in creative industries, gametech infrastructure will be just as critical as content itself.
— The Startups MENA Editorial Team
