Faz Holdings, in collaboration with U.S.-born entrepreneur and regional startup leader Bruce Gurfein, is proud to introduce Marzum—a next-generation business incubator designed to empower early-stage startups in Saudi Arabia. Rooted in Vision 2030’s bold call for economic transformation, Marzum offers a purpose-built platform for nurturing innovation, unlocking entrepreneurial potential, and driving the Kingdom’s evolution into a leading global hub for technology and enterprise.

As Saudi Arabia transitions from an oil-dependent economy to one led by youth, innovation, and diversified industries, Marzum is helping shape the future by building the infrastructure, mentorship, and investment pipelines required to turn ideas into impactful, scalable businesses.

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The Rise of the entrepreneurial economy

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 lays out a national roadmap for sustainable growth, one that is anchored in economic diversification, job creation, and private-sector empowerment. Among its most urgent goals: increasing the contribution of SMEs to GDP from 20% to 35% and raising the share of non-oil exports and technology-driven services.

 

To reach those targets, the Kingdom is investing heavily in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Government initiatives like Monsha’at, The National Development Fund, Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), and Nusuk are unlocking funding, streamlining licensing, and providing technical support. Mega-developments such as NEOM, The Line, and King Salman Park are creating greenfield opportunities for high-growth startups in sectors like clean tech, fintech, healthtech, mobility, logistics, and digital infrastructure.

 

But funding alone is not enough. What startups need most is structured support, hands-on mentorship, real market validation, and a community designed for their success. That’s where Marzum steps in.

 

A purpose-built platform for startups

Marzum is more than a co-working space or investment network. It is a mission-driven incubator designed to provide high-impact startups with the tools, infrastructure, and networks they need to thrive in a rapidly changing region.

 

The Marzum model includes:

• Structured mentorship
  Every founder at Marzum is paired with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, the U.S., and beyond. These mentors provide tailored support in areas such as fundraising, product development, marketing, and international expansion.

• Venture support & Access to capital
  Marzum facilitates introductions to angel investors, family offices, and early-stage venture funds. Through our own capital and partner syndicates, we help startups close their first round of funding and build the financial base needed to scale.

• Regulatory navigation & market entry
  Entrepreneurs from inside and outside the Kingdom are guided through company formation, licensing, labor law, and compliance—ensuring a smooth and confident entry into the Saudi market.

• Space & infrastructure
  Marzum provides high-tech co-working facilities, launch pads, and event space, enabling collaboration and product testing within a secure, professional environment.

• Community-building & Ecosystem engagement
  By hosting startup showcases, investor demo days, corporate workshops, and regional summits, Marzum aims to become a focal point for Saudi Arabia’s innovation scene.

 

Cross-border experience, local impact

Bruce Gurfein brings over two decades of international business experience and startup leadership to Marzum. Having founded and scaled ventures across the UAE, Egypt, the U.S., and sub-Saharan Africa, Bruce is known for his ability to navigate emerging markets, build teams, and connect entrepreneurs to institutional capital and strategic partners.

 

He currently serves as CEO of Connect LLC in the UAE, where he has worked closely with sovereign funds, governments, and high-growth startups. Through Marzum, Bruce is committed to mentoring Saudi founders and connecting them with global markets.

 

His role in Marzum is not symbolic—it’s operational. He is leading the curriculum, mentor matching, and venture pipeline development for the incubator’s first cohort, bringing a level of depth and executional credibility that’s rare in early-stage ecosystems.

 

Why Saudi Arabia. Why now.

The macroeconomic tailwinds in Saudi Arabia have never been stronger for early-stage business formation. With a youthful population (over 70% under the age of 35), record-high government reserves, and a reform-minded leadership investing aggressively in technology, the stage is set for high-velocity entrepreneurship.

Key dynamics driving Marzum’s relevance include:

• A $13 billion startup ecosystem forecast by 2030, supported by sovereign investment arms and international VC partnerships.

• Increasing female workforce participation, opening up untapped markets and talent pools.

• Digital infrastructure expansion, with widespread 5G rollout, a cashless society mandate, and government tech adoption.

• Public-private collaboration, where incubators like Marzum are welcomed as critical bridges between local innovation and global scale

 

Marzum’s timing could not be better. It stands ready to absorb this momentum and channel it into real outcomes for real founders building in the Kingdom.

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Faz Holdings is deeply invested in Saudi Arabia’s transformation—not just in capital, but in vision. From infrastructure and logistics to fintech, real estate, and industrial technology, Faz has consistently backed companies that contribute to national progress and sovereignty.

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With Marzum, Faz Holdings is extending its platform into human capital development, backing the people and ideas that will power the next generation of Saudi enterprise. As both investor and strategic partner, Faz brings institutional credibility, operational scale, and long-term alignment with the Kingdom’s goals.

 

Founders first

Marzum is here to build a resilient, founder-first ecosystem for Saudi Arabia. One where innovation is encouraged, capital is accessible, and startup success stories are not the exception—but the expectation.

 

By uniting global experience, local commitment, and strategic capital, Marzum will not only incubate companies—it will launch careers, catalyze industries, and help shape the new face of the Saudi economy