GBT Secures $1.3 Million Pre-Seed Round to Expand Saudi Smart City Technologies

Riyadh-based geospatial firm Gulf Business Technologies (GBT) has finalized a $1.3 million pre-seed funding round. The capital is designated for scaling the company’s presence within Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications and IT sectors. This investment marks a pivotal stage in GBT’s effort to provide advanced spatial intelligence for national development projects.

Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Zamil & Sons Investment Company led the SAR 5 million round. The transaction, managed by SHORE Advisory Services, included participation from several angel investors and private investment firms. This funding demonstrates growing local interest in specialized deep-tech infrastructure that supports the national digital economy.

Operating since 2014, GBT utilizes two distinct subsidiaries to cover the geospatial data value chain. Penta-KSA offers no-code GIS software designed to help non-technical managers analyze spatial data without specialized training. Penta-Labs serves as the research and development arm, creating digital twin models and GeoAI engines for urban transformation.

The company will use the new funds to bolster technical infrastructure and recruit specialized talent. GBT plans to launch a new series of GeoAI products specifically engineered to meet the unique challenges of the Saudi market. These tools aim to offer predictive insights for large-scale construction and smart city operations.

Yousef AlNafjan, Founder and President of GBT, stated that the round validates the firm’s focus on localized spatial solutions. He noted that the capital would accelerate the development of user-friendly platforms for complex data sets. Recent reports from Wamda indicate that such tools are increasingly vital for Saudi decision-makers.

The Saudi geospatial analytics sector is forecasted to grow to $2.5 billion by 2030. This expansion is largely driven by Vision 2030 initiatives and giga-projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project. These developments require high-precision mapping and real-time data monitoring to achieve their cognitive city objectives.

Walid Nassar of SHORE Advisory Services observed that GBT fills a specific technological gap in the regional market. He suggested that the company’s product-led model is well-positioned for rapid scaling as demand for analytics rises. As the Kingdom digitizes its physical assets, homegrown technologies will likely become the preferred choice for government entities.