The Saudi investor behind $1.5 billion in technology investments
JEDDAH — Saudi investor Hussein Alharthy is part of a new generation of professionals helping connect regional capital with some of the world's most closely
JEDDAH — Saudi investor Hussein Alharthy is part of a new generation of professionals helping connect regional capital with some of the world's most closely watched technology companies. Through his work at international investment firm Disruptive, he has spent the past several years working with investors seeking opportunities in sectors such as artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and digital infrastructure. A recent Forbes profile spotlighted Alharthy's career and his role in helping build investment links between the Gulf and the U.S. technology sector, as regional investors become increasingly active participants in global private markets. Starting as an intern at Disruptive in 2018, Alharthy went on to become a partner and shareholder in the firm.
Forbes reported that he has helped facilitate around $1.5 billion in investments from the region into leading technology businesses in the United States. The profile noted that his work reflects a broader shift taking place across the Gulf, where investors are playing a more active role in identifying and supporting companies shaping the future of technology. Rather than simply seeking exposure to global trends, many investors are becoming increasingly focused on direct participation in businesses operating in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, software, and digital infrastructure. Disruptive, founded in 2012, specializes in investing in technology companies operating at or near public-company scale.
The firm focuses on late-stage private businesses and works with founders, management teams, family offices, and institutional investors. Its portfolio includes companies such as Databricks, Groq, Palantir, Reflection AI, Shield AI, and SpaceX. According to Forbes, Alharthy has been involved in connecting Gulf investors with opportunities across these sectors, helping strengthen ties between regional capital and global technology markets. The publication also highlighted the growing sophistication of investors from Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, particularly as technology becomes an increasingly important part of long-term economic diversification strategies. Among the companies highlighted in the report was Groq, an artificial intelligence company focused on inference chips and cloud systems.
Disruptive led a $750 million funding round for the company in 2025, underscoring the strong investor interest in AI infrastructure and the technologies supporting the next wave of innovation. Alharthy told Forbes that investors in the Gulf are becoming more selective and informed in their approach to technology investments, with greater emphasis on understanding business fundamentals, market opportunities, and long-term growth potential. His career comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to strengthen its position in technology and innovation.
The BriefWire