Saudi Arabia-based private markets investment platform OORI has secured a licence from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to conduct Arranging and Advising activities, clearing the way for the company to begin regulated operations in the Kingdom.
Founded by Elie Nasr and Naif Al Ajmi, OORI is building a technology-enabled investment platform designed to provide qualified investors with regulated access to curated private market opportunities. The platform will initially focus on Shariah-compliant investments in technology companies across pre-seed, venture, growth and pre-IPO stages.
The regulatory milestone follows OORI’s seven-figure USD pre-seed round completed in 2024. The round was backed by strategic investors, family offices and angel investors from Saudi Arabia, the GCC and Europe, including Bunat Ventures and RZM Investments. The capital has been used to develop the company’s technology infrastructure, complete the regulatory licensing process and prepare for its operational launch.
OORI is targeting some of the structural barriers that have traditionally limited participation in private markets, including high investment thresholds, limited access to deals and illiquid investment structures. Through its regulated platform, the company aims to make private market investing more transparent and efficient while expanding access for qualified investors.
“Private markets have historically been accessible to only a small segment of high-net-worth investors, largely because of structural and cost barriers rather than a lack of demand,” said Elie Nasr, Co-Founder and CEO of OORI. He added that the platform was built to streamline the investment process and reduce costs while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Co-Founder Naif Al Ajmi said the decision to pursue a CMA licence from the outset reflects OORI’s long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly developing financial ecosystem. The company sees an opportunity to connect a broader demographic of qualified investors with global private investment opportunities through stronger structures and regulated access.
Ahead of its launch, OORI has established partnerships across the investment ecosystem, including investment banks, venture capital and private equity firms, investment platforms, wealth managers, family offices and independent financial advisors. The network is expected to support the sourcing and delivery of curated private market opportunities to investors using the platform.
While technology investments will form OORI’s initial focus, the company plans to expand into additional alternative asset classes over time as it builds out its regulated private markets offering.
The CMA licence comes as Saudi Arabia continues to deepen its capital markets and develop new investment channels as part of the Kingdom’s broader financial sector transformation.
