Saudi-based startup Governata has raised USD 4 million in seed funding to scale its enterprise data governance and AI decision-making platform. The funding round, led by Vision Ventures with participation from a range of investors including Mashhoor Aldubayan, Mazen Aldarrab, and Abdulla Nadeem Elyas, will support product development and regional expansion. Governata aims to strengthen compliant, AI-ready data infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
A Saudi-Made, Arabic-First Solution
Founded in Riyadh in 2024 by Djamel Mohand, Khalid Almudayfir, and Jehad Senan, Governata provides the Kingdom’s first Arabic-first enterprise data governance platform. The platform is designed to help public and private sector organizations manage, govern, and prepare data for AI-driven decision-making. Governata aligns with regulatory requirements set by the Saudi Data & AI Authority, including the National Data Management Office, National Data Index, and the Personal Data Protection Law.
Leadership and Vision
Co-founder Djamel Mohand previously served as COO of Foodics, scaling the restaurant management platform to serve over 30,000 restaurants in 25 countries. He stepped down in early 2025 to launch Governata alongside data governance specialists Jehad Senan and Khalid Almudayfir. Mohand emphasizes that the platform is not just a compliance tool but a foundation for trustworthy and effective AI adoption, positioning data governance as a strategic enterprise priority.
Platform Capabilities
Governata’s software focuses on data classification, quality management, access control, and regulatory compliance. By providing these tools, it allows organizations to build reliable, AI-ready data foundations while maintaining adherence to local regulations. The platform’s design is particularly targeted at institutions operating in high-accountability environments, where regulatory compliance is critical for operational and AI success.
Funding and Strategic Goals
The USD 4 million seed round also saw participation from Joa Capital, abtal.vc, Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global, Sadu Capital, Plus VC, Hyperscope Ventures, A-Typical Ventures, Plug and Play, and a group of angel investors. Governata plans to use the funding to expand its customer base across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. It will also accelerate product development, integrating advanced machine learning and generative AI features to enable faster, more accurate enterprise decision-making.
Market Traction
Since launching commercially in mid-2025, Governata has signed agreements with multiple government entities and large private-sector organizations within the Kingdom. The company is also forming partnerships with technology providers and system integrators to meet growing demand for AI-ready, compliant data infrastructure. These early partnerships indicate a strong market appetite for local, Arabic-first solutions in the enterprise AI and data governance space.
Vision for AI-Driven Enterprise
Governata’s co-founders emphasize the importance of building “strong and intelligent data foundations” as a prerequisite for responsible AI adoption. Djamel Mohand notes that their platform aims to unlock the full potential of generative AI while ensuring trust, compliance, and innovation in enterprise settings. Khalid Almudayfir adds that the funding accelerates the company’s mission to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in AI-ready, responsibly managed data.
With its recent funding and growing market traction, Governata is poised to become a key enabler of AI-driven transformation across the Middle East. By providing an Arabic-first, compliant, and AI-ready platform, the startup supports organizations in leveraging data responsibly for strategic decision-making. As AI adoption accelerates in the region, Governata’s approach underscores the growing importance of robust data governance in building future-ready enterprises.