Holo, a fintech platform reinventing how people buy homes in the UAE, said on Monday it has raised $22m in one of the largest Series A rounds in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2025.

The round was led by Saudi Arabia’s Impact46, with support from Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, Rua Growth Fund, anb seed, and MoreThan Capital, alongside returning investors Salica Oryx Fund and Dubai Future District Fund.

Michael Hunter and Arran Summerhill, co-founders of Holo, said: “At Holo, we’ve always believed that buying a home shouldn’t be complicated. With this raise, we’re not only scaling across borders, but also scaling trust, simplicity, and access to homeownership.

“Our profitability in the UAE has given us the strength and confidence to invest ambitiously in high-growth markets like Saudi Arabia. The momentum around homeownership and digital transformation is only accelerating as the kingdom inches closer towards achieving Vision 2030.

“The vision is regional, and with backing from world-class investors, we’re in a prime position to keep raising the bar for how home-buying should work — faster, smarter, and built around the customer. With a mindset around technology being the engine behind everything we do, this has been the driving force behind our vision as we’ve remained focused on building a platform that eliminates the stress, confusion and guesswork of home-buying.”

The UAE and Saudi property markets are projected to grow at 8.66 and 8.77 per cent annually through 2030, respectively, supporting Holo’s regional expansion.

The UAE residential market is forecast to increase from $143bn in 2025 to $217bn by 2030, while Saudi Arabia’s market is expected to grow from $203bn to $310bn over the same period.

Holo said the funding would support internal growth, strengthen its product and teams, and enable the fintech innovator to invest in top regional talent. The company operates in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, aiming to build inclusive, future-ready teams reflecting the diversity of the markets it serves.

Holo is reshaping how people buy homes across the region, says investor

Basmah AlSinaidi, managing partner at Impact46, said: “Holo is bringing much-needed clarity to a process that’s long been opaque. By streamlining access to lenders and giving users full control of their home financing journey, they’re reshaping how people buy homes across the region. Their expansion into Saudi reflects a bigger shift in consumer expectations — and the rising demand for seamless, tech-driven ownership experiences. As lead investors, this partnership aligns deeply with our thesis: backing real solutions, built by sharp founders, for markets that are moving fast.”

Ali Al Mheiri, executive director of UAE Diversified Assets at Mubadala, said: “Our investment in Holo comes from our belief in the strength of its vision, leadership, and ability to reshape how people navigate the home-buying journey. It also reflects our confidence in the UAE’s strong and resilient real estate market, and the growing role of fintech in shaping the future of property ownership across the region. At Mubadala, we are committed to backing innovative platforms that align with our mandate to deliver economic diversification. This partnership is a strong example of how collaboration can accelerate the UAE’s economic transformation and unlock real value for communities through technology-driven solutions.”

Turki Aljoaib, managing partner at Rua Growth Fund, added: “Holo is tackling a critical market need by digitising and democratising access to mortgages, especially as Saudi Arabia opens its real estate market to foreign investors and first-time homeowners. With a platform built on trust, simplicity, and regulatory alignment, Holo is uniquely positioned to serve a new wave of buyers navigating the kingdom’s evolving property landscape. We’re proud to back a team building the fintech infrastructure for a more inclusive and accessible future of homeownership in the region.”

Holo said it remains focused on its mission to make homeownership simpler, smarter and more accessible, positioning itself to lead the transformation of property ownership in the MENA region.

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Innovations Group, a staffing and HR solutions provider with more than 30 years of experience in the GCC, has released its latest workforce 2030 report, Navigating Saudi Arabia’s Talent Landscape. The comprehensive study is designed to help businesses understand the Kingdom’s evolving labour dynamics as it undergoes rapid transformation under Vision 2030.

The report offers in-depth insights into Saudi Arabia’s HR outsourcing market, sector-specific hiring trends, and strategic workforce recommendations. It highlights rising demand for talent in aviation, healthcare, IT, and construction, alongside guidance on navigating policy reforms, meeting Saudization targets, and deploying AI-powered recruitment tools to improve hiring efficiency.

According to the findings, Saudi Arabia’s HR outsourcing services market is poised for sustained growth, with a projected CAGR of 6.63 per cent between 2024 and 2030, building on the 12.26 per cent growth achieved from 2019 to 2023. Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) remains the largest market segment, forecast to reach $156.95m by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.52 per cent. Multi-Process HR Services are emerging as the fastest-growing area, expected to hit $79.42m by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.88 per cent.

The report also highlights strong momentum in the manpower supply market, which is expected to reach $1.68bn for blue-collar workers and $1.16bn for white-collar workers by 2030. Growth rates of 3.35 per cent and 3.86 per cent respectively indicate a clear shift toward a more skilled workforce, with high-growth opportunities across healthcare, technology, and financial services.

Anurag Verma, general manager, KSA, Innovations Group, said: “Saudi Arabia is entering a new era of opportunity where growth is being fuelled by megaprojects, economic diversification, and a sharpened focus on local talent development. But with this transformation comes complexity. Our report is designed to simplify that complexity, giving businesses clarity, compliance confidence, and competitive edge as they scale in the Kingdom. At Innovations Group, we are not just observing the future of work, we are enabling it.”

The report identifies aviation, IT & fintech, healthcare, and construction as the most talent-constrained industries, with expansion outpacing the supply of skilled professionals. Critical roles in demand include AI/ML engineers, cybersecurity analysts, nurses, project engineers, ground staff, and technicians. Innovations Group notes that sector-specific hiring strategies and agile deployment models will be essential to address shortages and maintain business continuity.

Read: Saudi Arabia among top emerging global economies in AI readiness, shows report

As a licensed Saudi company with a dedicated local team, Innovations Group has been a long-term partner in workforce transformation across the Kingdom. Through data-driven staffing models and round-the-clock local support, the company continues to deliver scalable, compliant, and future-ready HR solutions.

The report concludes that as Saudi Arabia’s labour market undergoes structural change, success for organizations will depend on aligning with national priorities while building agile, high-performing teams. Companies that embrace data-led workforce strategies and partner with experts familiar with local regulations, culture, and operations will be best placed to turn workforce complexity into a competitive advantage and achieve sustainable growth in the Kingdom.

Cognita Middle East (Cognita ME), the regional hub of the global schools group, has announced a significant expansion, entering into strategic partnerships with five schools and extending its footprint into three new markets – Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. The move reinforces Cognita’s presence in the region and underscores its commitment to academic excellence and holistic education.

The partner schools include Downe House Riyadh, King’s College Riyadh, Downe House Muscat, Cheltenham Muscat, and King’s College Doha. With these additions, Cognita ME will operate 14 schools across the Middle East, building on its existing portfolio of nine schools in the UAE and Kuwait, which include Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, the Repton Family of Schools, Horizon International School, Horizon English School, Ranches Primary School, Al Ain English Speaking School, and Dasman Bilingual School. Following this expansion, Cognita ME’s student body in the region will grow to nearly 22,000, while staff numbers will rise to 4,000.

Globally, Cognita operates over 100 schools across 20 countries, supporting more than 100,000 students and 22,000 staff. Educators benefit from advanced professional development programmes, including bespoke team and leadership courses in partnership with the IOE – Faculty of Education and Society at University College London. Students engage in a diverse learning community that blends social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, fostering strong academic outcomes, an adaptive mindset, and the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

David Baldwin, chief executive officer of Cognita Middle East, commented: “This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for Cognita, strengthening our presence in the Middle East and building on the foundations we’ve established in the UAE and Kuwait. As we grow into Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, our focus remains on delivering an exceptional education that meets the needs of each community. Every Cognita school has its own unique identity, ethos, and curriculum, shaped by its students and families. We are committed to preserving the individuality of each school while sharing a collective ambition – to create inspiring learning environments that build confidence and help every student realise their full potential.”

In Saudi Arabia, Cognita ME has partnered with Downe House Riyadh and King’s College Riyadh, both launched under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s flagship International Schools Attraction Programme. Established in 2022, Downe House Riyadh is the country’s first top-ranked premium British girls’ school, delivering first-class education for boys and girls aged two to nine and an all-girls programme from age 10 to 18. King’s College Riyadh, the first British private school in Saudi Arabia, brings 140 years of expertise from King’s College, UK, offering world-class education for children aged three to 11.

Read: Saudi schools go smart: Over 6 million students to learn AI from 2025

In Oman, Cognita ME has partnered with Downe House Muscat and Cheltenham Muscat. Downe House Muscat, opened in 2022 as the first British international girls’ school in Oman, recorded exceptional GCSE results in 2024, with 41 per cent of students achieving grades 9–7 (A*–A) and 78 per cent securing grades 9–4 (A*–C). Cheltenham Muscat, Oman’s first premium co-educational British international school opened in 2021, delivered top results in the Pearson Learner Awards, including the highest mark in Oman for GCSE Spanish and Science.

The expansion also marks Cognita ME’s entry into Qatar with King’s College Doha, a British curriculum school for ages three to 18 affiliated with King’s College, UK. In 2024, 51 per cent of students achieved grades 9–7 (A*–A) at GCSE, 97 per cent secured grades 9–4 (A*–C), and 100 per cent of A-Level students earned places at UK universities.

Through these strategic partnerships, Cognita ME aims to leverage its regional and global expertise to accelerate growth, nurture student development, and ensure the success and prosperity of its new school communities in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.

In a bold step toward shaping a tech-driven future, more than six million students across Saudi Arabia’s general education system are set to embark on a transformative journey. For the 2025–2026 academic year, students will be introduced to a newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum, marking the country’s first nationwide integration of AI in general education.

The initiative, hailed as a pioneering milestone, is the result of collaboration between the National Centre for Curriculum Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), a Saudi Press Agency report conveyed.

Read more-AI talent race: Where do Saudi and UAE stand in global top 20?

Empowering a generation for the AI era

By introducing AI at the school level, the kingdom aims to cultivate a generation of innovators and technology leaders. The curriculum is designed to help students understand AI’s role in solving real-world digital challenges, encourage creative thinking, and prepare them for advanced studies and future careers in AI, a field expected to define the global job market in the years ahead.

The content will emphasise both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, allowing students to explore how AI can be used to address everyday problems and create impactful solutions.

Vision 2030: A knowledge-based society

The AI curriculum is a strategic move aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s roadmap for diversifying the economy and developing a knowledge-based society. A key pillar of this vision is building human capital equipped with advanced technological skills.

By preparing students early for AI-related fields, Saudi Arabia is not only nurturing its future workforce but also positioning itself as a global leader in data and AI innovation.

SDAIA leads capacity building across education

SDAIA has played a central role in this educational transformation.

Working closely with the Ministry of Education, SDAIA has launched nationwide programs aimed at building AI capabilities across all educational levels. These include both local and international training initiatives, many of which are led by leading global AI experts.

One of the key developments has been the release of a Generative AI Usage Guide for schools. Jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and SDAIA, the guide promotes the ethical and effective use of AI in classrooms, while reinforcing the essential role of teachers in the learning process.

In another significant step, SDAIA and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission unveiled the Saudi Academic Framework for AI Qualifications, also known as Education Intelligence. This framework ensures that AI-related academic programs meet international standards—boosting the employability and global competitiveness of Saudi graduates.

Expanding access through SAMAI and scholarships

To extend AI literacy beyond schools, SDAIA, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Education, launched the SAMAI initiative, which aims to equip one million Saudis with AI knowledge and skills. So far, over 500,000 participants have registered, ranging from students to professionals.

Further supporting talent development, the AI Scholarship Program, a collaboration between SDAIA, the Ministry of Education, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, offers exceptional Saudi students the chance to study AI and data science at top global universities.

To round out its multi-pronged strategy, SDAIA, in partnership with tech giant NVIDIA, launched the Generative AI Academy. As a key component of the larger SDAIA Academy, this program aims to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled AI professionals capable of competing—and innovating, on the global stage.

Through this comprehensive, multi-agency effort, Saudi Arabia is not only reimagining its education system but also laying the groundwork for a future powered by AI, and led by its own youth.

The government of Ras Al Khaimah has appointed Phillipa Harrison, former MD of Tourism Australia, as chief executive officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).

Harrison will lead efforts to position the northern emirate as the “Destination of the Future”, bringing decades of experience across global markets including Australia.

“Tourism is at the heart of Ras Al Khaimah’s strategy, it is our fastest-growing sector and we’ve achieved remarkable milestones in a short period of time,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, chairman of RAKTDA’s Executive Committee.

“ Miss Harrison brings with her a depth of knowledge and leadership experience, most recently with Tourism Australia, that gives us confidence in her ability to align with Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious goals and strategic targets in the tourism sector.”

Commenting on her appointment, Harrison said: “I’m honored to join at such an exciting time. Ras Al Khaimah has already established itself as an international success story, and I look forward to unlocking even more growth in the years ahead.”

RAKTDA focused on attracting 3.5 million tourists by 2030

The emirate, which welcomed a record 650,000 visitors in the first half of 2025, aims to attract more than 3.5 million tourists annually by 2030.

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Harrison’s leadership will support Ras Al Khaimah’s plans to strengthen its position as a sustainable tourism destination.

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