Farid Academy, an Egyptian edtech startup focused on children’s personal development, has officially entered the Saudi Arabian market with the launch of a central office in Riyadh. The move is supported by a three-year partnership with Amad Association for Human Capacity Development, valued at SAR 4.5 million. The agreement underscores Farid’s regional ambitions and aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda for youth empowerment.
Expansion Strategy
The Riyadh office represents Farid’s first regional expansion beyond Egypt, setting the stage for a broader Middle East and North Africa growth strategy. The company plans to anchor its presence in priority Arab markets ahead of a seed funding round scheduled for the final quarter of 2025. This expansion builds on the startup’s earlier success, including a $250,000 pre-seed raise in 2024.
Background and Mission
Farid Academy was founded in 2024 by entrepreneur Mahmoud Hussein, who drew on his experience in education and personal development to design programs tailored for Arab children. The platform delivers live, one-on-one sessions centered on mental health, character building, and personality growth for children aged 3 to 18. It also offers training for youth and graduates to become certified coaches using Farid’s proprietary educational and psychological framework.
Partnership with Amad Association
Under the agreement, Farid and Amad Association will jointly deliver educational initiatives targeting both children and young adults. Over the next three years, more than 500 Saudi graduates will be trained and certified as coaches, while over 4,000 children and adolescents will benefit from tailored programs. These sessions focus on critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship, equipping participants with skills necessary for future personal and professional success.
Scope of Programs
The initiative includes the rollout of 48 workshops and training sessions designed to maximize social and educational impact. A dedicated monitoring framework will be introduced to measure outcomes and ensure sustainability of the programs. Families will also gain access to discounts of up to 25 percent on program fees, making the services more widely accessible.
Alignment with Vision 2030
Farid’s expansion into Saudi Arabia reflects broader national priorities around human capital development. Vision 2030 highlights youth empowerment as a cornerstone of long-term social and economic transformation, and partnerships like this one aim to create scalable, high-impact solutions. By positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional hub, Farid is aligning its business trajectory with the Kingdom’s strategic agenda.
Leadership Perspectives
Mahmoud Hussein Al-Naqeeb, co-founder and CEO of Farid Academy, described the deal as a “transformational milestone” for the company. He reiterated Farid’s long-term vision, branded “Farid 2030,” which seeks to certify 10,000 trainers and reach 10 million children and youth across the Arab world. Hussein emphasized the platform’s unique role as the first in the region to provide personalized, on-demand sessions for character and mental health development.
Stakeholder Support
From the nonprofit perspective, Amal bint Abdulaziz Ajlan Al-Ajlan, Chairwoman of Amad Association, praised the partnership’s potential to address national priorities in education and capacity building. She highlighted the initiative as a breakthrough for the sector, creating opportunities for young Saudis to acquire future-ready skills. The collaboration, she added, will help prepare children and adolescents for both academic and life challenges.
Farid’s entry into the Saudi market marks a significant milestone in its mission to redefine education in the Arab world. The SAR 4.5 million partnership with Amad Association represents not only a financial commitment but also a shared vision for developing human potential. As the startup prepares for its upcoming seed round, its Riyadh expansion signals an ambitious trajectory aimed at scaling impact across the region.