Saudi’s Nayla Finance Raises USD 17.9M to Expand AI-Powered Lending for Micro Businesses

Saudi Arabia-based fintech Nayla Finance has raised USD 17.9 million in a Pre-Series A round that combines equity and debt financing to expand lending to micro businesses across the Kingdom. The equity portion was led by Idrisi Ventures with participation from Suhail Ventures and other investors, while Blominvest led the accompanying debt facility intended to support an enlarged lending portfolio. Founded in 2025 and licensed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), Nayla provides microfinancing solutions for micro businesses and entrepreneurs.

"This capital enables us to significantly expand access to financing for Saudi Arabia's micro businesses, continue investing in our technology and proprietary credit engine, and strengthen our position as the leading digital financing platform serving this vital segment of the economy," said Shaqran Alyahya, Co‑Founder and CEO of Nayla.

Details of the raise and product positioning

The USD 17.9 million Pre‑Series A round is structured to serve two key objectives: supply growth capital through equity to scale operations and product development, and provide lending capacity through the debt facility. Idrisi Ventures led the equity tranche, with Suhail Ventures and unnamed investors participating. Blominvest was named as the lead for the debt facility.

Nayla was founded by Shaqran Alyahya and Khalid Naili and holds a SAMA fintech license. The startup’s model targets micro businesses — which the company and observers note are the largest segment of Saudi Arabia’s private sector but often lack access to traditional bank credit. Nayla uses alternative data and a proprietary credit assessment engine to evaluate borrowers who may not meet conventional underwriting criteria such as audited statements or collateral.

• Funding amount: USD 17.9 million (Pre‑Series A, equity + debt)
• Equity lead: Idrisi Ventures
• Equity participants: Suhail Ventures and other investors
• Debt lead: Blominvest (debt facility to expand lending portfolio)
• Founders: Shaqran Alyahya and Khalid Naili
• Regulatory status: SAMA‑licensed fintech

Context and strategic ambitions

With the new capital, Nayla plans to increase financing availability for underserved micro businesses across Saudi Arabia, expand into adjacent customer segments, and further develop its proprietary credit intelligence platform. The company also intends to deepen partnerships across the Kingdom’s SME ecosystem to channel more customers into its digital lending pipeline.

The choice to combine equity and debt financing underscores a dual need: runway and product investment from equity, and immediate funding capacity for originating loans via the debt facility. Investor participation and the dedicated debt line signal institutional confidence in Nayla’s early traction and its underwriting model based on alternative data.

Outlook

Nayla’s next phase will hinge on translating the USD 17.9 million into a materially larger lending book while preserving disciplined credit performance. Key metrics to watch include loan origination volumes, portfolio non‑performing rates, and the effectiveness of its credit intelligence platform as it expands beyond micro businesses into adjacent segments.

If Nayla can scale its alternative‑data underwriting while maintaining credit quality, it could change how smaller Saudi enterprises are evaluated for financing. However, the company must demonstrate that its model can be scaled prudently as it converts investor capital into sustained lending growth.