Saudi fintech platform Lendo has announced a strategic partnership with Vienna-based Quantic Financial Solutions to launch an institutional capital programme of up to SAR750 million ($200 million) for SME working capital financing. The collaboration was unveiled at Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh. It represents a notable expansion of foreign institutional participation in Saudi Arabia's regulated debt crowdfunding sector.
Strategic Partnership and Capital Deployment
Under the agreement, Quantic will invest up to SAR750 million through Lendo, with the funds dedicated to working capital financing for small and medium sized enterprises across Saudi Arabia. Quantic, an asset manager headquartered in Vienna and member of C-Quadrat Investment Group, will oversee disciplined deployment of its institutional capital. This arrangement strengthens Lendo's ability to meet growing demand for SME finance and supports the launch of new financing solutions.
Lendo operates a Shariah-compliant debt crowdfunding marketplace that is regulated and supervised by the Saudi Central Bank. It was founded in 2019 by Osama AlRaee and Mohammed Jawabri, and it connects institutional and retail investors with SMEs seeking financing. The platform will use the new programme to broaden access to working capital financing while accelerating its growth across the Kingdom.
Vision 2030 and Market Impact
The programme aligns with Saudi Arabia's Financial Sector Development Program under Vision 2030 and reinforces debt-based crowdfunding as a credible pillar of the national financial sector. It also helps close the SME financing gap by combining Lendo's SAMA-regulated origination with Quantic's institutional-grade capital deployment. This creates funding at a scale that the Kingdom's SME market has historically lacked.
A further objective is to open a durable channel for international capital into Saudi SME finance. Quantic will structure Shariah-compliant investment products based on the financed assets for investors abroad. This approach establishes a repeatable bridge between global foreign direct investment and Saudi SME financing rather than a one-off transaction.
Executive Perspectives
Osama AlRaee, CEO and Co-Founder of Lendo, said the partnership is a significant milestone and a strong endorsement of the company's business model. He noted that it provides the scale and structuring discipline needed to serve more SMEs as demand continues to grow across the Kingdom. He added that it brings Lendo closer to its purpose of closing the SME financing gap through transparent and responsible funding.
Dr. Dietrich Matthes, Founding Partner of Quantic Financial Solutions, highlighted Lendo's track record, origination quality, and regulatory standing as key factors in the partnership. He said Quantic looks forward to funding the programme and deploying capital with discipline to support SME growth. He also noted that the Shariah-compliant investment products created from these assets are attractive to international investors.
Institutional Confidence in Saudi Fintech
The announcement reflects growing institutional confidence in Saudi Arabia's debt-based crowdfunding model. It supports the continued development of the Kingdom's fintech ecosystem and demonstrates how regulated platforms can attract foreign direct investment. The partnership also illustrates the increasing role of fintech in addressing structural gaps in SME access to finance.
Lendo and Quantic have formalised a substantial capital partnership that could reshape SME working capital financing in Saudi Arabia. By linking SAMA-regulated origination with international asset management expertise, the programme supports Vision 2030 goals and expands access to funding. Its success may serve as a model for future cross-border fintech collaboration in the region.