STC Group Colab has officially launched as a dedicated corporate venture-building arm during the LEAP 2026 conference in Riyadh. The new unit focuses on creating, testing, and scaling new digital enterprises across regional markets. According to reporting by intlbm, the platform expands the telecommunications provider’s capacity to develop original business models directly from internal assets and market research.
Structure of STC Group Colab Operations
The newly formed entity works alongside existing entrepreneurship initiatives within the organization. Specifically, it complements the InspireU startup accelerator and the venture capital arm Tali Ventures. While InspireU has supported more than 150 startups to date, the new platform focuses on systematic in-house venture creation rather than external acceleration alone. These initiatives also connect directly with the Kingdom’s broader telecom infrastructure.
Expanding Digital Venture Capabilities
The venture builder uses the group’s digital infrastructure, customer reach, and technical resources to test emerging digital concepts. Furthermore, the unit evaluates commercial viability before turning selected projects into independent operating businesses. This approach builds upon the group’s past success with STC Bank, which originated as the digital wallet STC Pay before growing into a licensed digital bank. Notably, STC Bank served over 8 million customers and recorded revenues exceeding 1 billion SAR in 2025, demonstrating the viability of this model within modern apps and financial services.
“Over the years, we have built a strong foundation across the venture spectrum, from venture investments, acceleration, and now venture building. This integrated model enables us not only to invest in innovation, but to systematically create and scale new businesses.”
Motaz Alangari, Group Chief Investment Officer at STC Group
Integration with Strategic Investments
The integration of venture building with capital deployment forms a three-part model for regional digital development. Tali Ventures continues to provide growth capital to external technology firms, while InspireU offers structured acceleration programs for early-stage founders. Meanwhile, STC Group Colab will design and launch new ventures from the ground up, providing founders with direct market access and shared technical services across Saudi Arabia.
Broader Technology Context in Saudi Arabia
Corporate venture building has gained momentum across regional technology markets. By creating businesses internally, major enterprises can address specific market gaps while testing software in specialized sectors such as artificial intelligence. Consequently, the addition of STC Group Colab creates a direct channel for commercializing digital projects across the Middle East.
