Egyptian Edtech Startup Farid Academy Expands into Saudi Arabia with SAR 4.5 Million Partnership to Train 4,000 Youth and Children
Egyptian edtech startup Farid Academy has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia, opening a central operations office in Riyadh as part of its regional growth strategy. The move comes ahead of the company’s upcoming seed funding round, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, following its successful $250,000 pre-seed raise last year.
Founded in 2024 by entrepreneur Mahmoud Hussein, Farid Academy is the first platform in the MENA region to deliver live, one-on-one sessions dedicated to mental health, character development, and personal growth for Arab children aged 3 to 18. The platform also trains youth and graduates to become certified coaches in its educational and psychological methodology, combining innovation with social impact.
As part of its entry into the Kingdom, Farid Academy has signed a three-year, SAR 4.5 million partnership with the Amad Association for Human Capacity Development. The collaboration aims to train and certify 500 Saudi university graduates as professional coaches, while delivering specialized educational programs to more than 4,000 children and adolescents. The initiative is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with a focus on youth empowerment, character building, critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The agreement includes more than 48 training programs and workshops, along with a structured framework to measure educational and social outcomes. Families across Saudi Arabia will also benefit from discounts of up to 25% on program fees, broadening access to high-quality educational services.
Commenting on the milestone, Mahmoud Hussein Al-Naqeeb, Co-founder and CEO of Farid Academy, described the expansion as a “transformational step” in the startup’s journey. He reaffirmed the company’s long-term vision, “Farid 2030,” which seeks to certify 10,000 trainers and empower 10 million children and youth across the Arab world through specialized programs in personal development and mental wellness.
Amal bint Abdulaziz Ajlan Al-Ajlan, Chairwoman of Amad Association, welcomed the partnership as a groundbreaking opportunity for the nonprofit sector, noting its potential to equip young people with future-ready skills and open new pathways for personal growth.
Farid Academy’s expansion into Saudi Arabia marks its first move beyond Egypt, with the Kingdom positioned as a key hub in its broader MENA growth strategy.