Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani

Abdulrahman bin Ayedh Farhan Al-Qahtani is a Saudi venture capital investor and entrepreneur who founded DAAL in 2018 to bridge the gap between global tech innovation and Saudi Arabian capital markets. As Chief Executive Officer and Founder of DAAL, Al-Qahtani has positioned the firm as one of Saudi Arabia's leading technology-focused venture capital firms, with a mission to connect the most promising IT opportunities around the world with world-class investors based in the Kingdom.

Al-Qahtani earned his undergraduate degree from Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia. His educational journey was marked by exceptional achievement in technology and innovation. In February 2017, he won first place in Saudi Arabia at SaudiSkills in Web Design and Development, which led to him representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at WorldSkills in October 2017. He was awarded the prestigious Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Scholarship in 2017 in recognition of his achievements. His early interest in technology dates back to 2009 when he participated in the National Robotic Competition.

Beyond his formal education, Al-Qahtani pursued professional development in finance and capital markets, completing training programs in financial analysis, capital markets, and trading (TA101, TA201, TA301, CME1, and LT programs). He is fluent in Arabic (native), proficient in English (professional working proficiency), and has basic proficiency in Japanese, reflecting his global outlook and ambition to connect international markets.

Al-Qahtani's career extends beyond DAAL into broader real estate and corporate leadership roles within the Sumou Holdings ecosystem. He currently serves as Vice Chairman at Sumou Real Estate Co., a position he assumed in 2024, and has been an Independent Director at Arriyadh Development Co. since 2023. These board positions complement his venture capital work and demonstrate his expertise across both technology and traditional real estate sectors. He has also been involved in community service, serving as a Board Member at Ibn Al Mobark since May 2016 and volunteering with King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals since May 2013.

DAAL was created in 2018 as an offshoot of Sumou Holdings, one of Saudi Arabia's largest and most storied private real estate groups. Founded in 2008, Sumou Holdings develops more than 60 million square meters of land across 8 countries and has investments reaching $2 billion. The creation of DAAL represented Sumou's strategic move into technology venture capital, recognizing the importance of IT innovation and the need for the GCC region to connect with and welcome the best and brightest emerging companies from around the world.

DAAL's investment philosophy centers on identifying and backing the most promising tech innovative opportunities globally with a particular focus on emerging markets. The firm positions itself as a bridge between international innovation hubs and Saudi Arabian capital, aiming to become the leading technology-focused venture capital firm in Saudi Arabia through domestic and international investment in emerging companies.

Sector Focus:

Investment Approach:

DAAL's tagline reflects its mission to connect world-class IT opportunities with Saudi capital and expertise. The firm seeks companies that demonstrate strong technical innovation, scalable business models, and the potential to benefit from expansion into or partnerships within the Middle East region. Al-Qahtani's approach emphasizes supporting founders with both capital and strategic guidance to navigate the complexities of emerging market expansion.

• Financial Technology (Fintech)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Big Data & Analytics
• Marketplace Platforms
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Business/Productivity Software
• Real Estate Technology (Proptech)
• Stage: Primarily Seed and Pre-Seed rounds
• Geography: Global opportunities with emphasis on emerging markets including Latin America, Middle East, and developing tech ecosystems
• Deal Structure: Participates in syndicated rounds alongside international VCs and accelerators
• Value-Add: Provides access to Saudi Arabian and GCC markets, mentorship, and business development insights to portfolio companies in the IT space

• DAAL - Chief Executive Officer & Founder (2018-Present)
• Sumou Real Estate Co. - Vice Chairman (2024-Present)
• Arriyadh Development Co. - Independent Director (2023-Present)
• Ibn Al Mobark - Board Member (2016-Present)