Lendo

Lendo operates as a shariah-compliant peer-to-peer digital lending marketplace, pre-financing outstanding invoices for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. The platform offers a technology-driven alternative to traditional financing, providing efficient access to working capital. Its solutions adhere to Islamic finance principles, delivering ethical, swift capital.

Founded in 2019 by Osama AlRaee, the company stemmed from recognizing significant financing gaps for Saudi Arabian SMEs. AlRaee identified the need for quick, compliant working capital against invoices, establishing Lendo to digitize short-term lending. This created an accessible marketplace for investors and borrowers, addressing a crucial market demand.

Lendo serves SMEs across Saudi Arabia, providing agile, compliant financial support to enhance cash flow and operational stability. The platform empowers businesses with rapid access to funds. Its vision is to be a leading digital financing partner within the regional SME ecosystem, expanding shariah-compliant offerings, fostering business growth and financial inclusion.

High-Level Overview

Lendo is a Saudi Arabia-based fintech company founded in 2019 that operates as a crowdlending marketplace, connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with investors for digital pre-financing of outstanding invoices.[1][2][3] It serves SMEs facing financing challenges by offering Shari'ah-compliant solutions, facilitating over $667 million in financing across more than 5,000 transactions and generating $33.3 million in investor returns.[1] The platform solves access-to-capital issues for underserved businesses, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goal to boost SME lending from 4% to 20% by 2030, while demonstrating strong growth through a $28 million Series B in 2023 and a recent $690 million warehouse facility from J.P. Morgan to expand lending capacity and product innovation.[1][3]

Origin Story

Lendo was founded in 2019 in Riyadh by Osama Alraee (CEO) and Mohamed Jawabri, entrepreneurs from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, addressing the financing gaps for SMEs in a market dominated by bureaucratic traditional banking.[1][2] The idea emerged from recognizing SMEs' struggles with invoice financing, leading to a digital peer-to-peer platform that streamlines applications and adheres to Shari'ah principles.[2][3] Early traction built quickly, culminating in a Series B round of $28 million in late 2023 led by Sanabil Investments (a Public Investment Fund subsidiary), with participation from Shorooq Partners and AB Ventures, followed by the landmark J.P. Morgan facility in 2025 signaling pivotal validation.[1]

Core Differentiators

• Digital Crowdlending Model: Bridges SMEs needing short-term invoice financing with investors seeking returns via a streamlined, online marketplace, reducing bureaucracy and enabling faster access than traditional banks.[1][2]
• Shari'ah Compliance and Innovation: Offers flexible, tailor-made solutions aligned with Islamic principles, positioning it as a trusted option in Saudi Arabia while planning new products via the J.P. Morgan facility.[1][2][3]
• Proven Scale and Impact: Handled $667 million in transactions with strong investor yields; recent $690 million facility boosts SME coverage, job creation, and economic growth tied to Vision 2030.[1]
• Regulatory Strength: Granted necessary licenses as an alternative lending platform, fostering confidence among global players like J.P. Morgan.[1][5]

(Note: Lendo Group in Scandinavia is a distinct entity focused on consumer financial marketplaces and not related to this Saudi fintech.[4])

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Lendo rides the fintech wave in Saudi Arabia, capitalizing on Vision 2030's push for SME empowerment, private sector growth, and increased lending amid rising international investor confidence in the Kingdom's regulatory framework.[1][3] Timing is ideal post-Series B and amid global institutions like J.P. Morgan entering, which validates the ecosystem and accelerates digitization for underserved SMEs traditionally sidelined by legacy banks.[1][2] Market forces favoring Lendo include booming SME demand, fintech liberalization, and economic diversification away from oil, influencing the ecosystem by enabling job creation, innovation, and scalable financing models that other startups can emulate.[1]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Lendo is poised for explosive growth, leveraging the $690 million facility to scale lending, launch innovative products, and deepen SME penetration, potentially surpassing its $667 million milestone rapidly.[1] Trends like AI-driven credit assessment, further Vision 2030 funding, and regional fintech expansion will shape its path, evolving its influence from a local bridge to a pan-Middle East leader in Islamic fintech. This builds on its transformative Series B momentum, solidifying Lendo as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's digital financing revolution for SMEs.[1]