Saudi Arabia-based AI startup Echelon has secured an undisclosed investment round backed by East40, RAED Ventures, Avra and technology investor Ben Horowitz, alongside other investors.
Founded in Riyadh in 2025 by Prince Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud, Echelon helps Saudi businesses and government institutions adopt and integrate global AI technologies. The company focuses on eight sectors, including energy, healthcare, finance, telecommunications, defence and industrial operations.
Echelon has partnered with international technology companies, including Applied Intuition, IFS and Rubrik. Its collaborations aim to introduce industrial AI and physical AI solutions across Saudi enterprises, logistics, mining and mobility.
In the fourth quarter of 2026, Echelon plans to launch Frontier, an engineering division that will develop and deploy AI applications within customer organizations. It also plans to establish an institute to train Saudi engineers in applied AI.
The company expects to launch Echelon Defense Industries in the first quarter of 2027 to expand into defence-related AI applications.
The funding will support AI adoption, technology localization and local talent development as Echelon builds its presence in Saudi Arabia and prepares for regional expansion. The company has not disclosed the investment amount or valuation.