Rowad | رواد

What Rowad | رواد does

Rowad (رواد) is a free, Arabic-language e-learning platform and awareness initiative presented by Sedco Holding Group (مجموعة سدكو القابضة), a diversified Saudi conglomerate. It serves Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs through two structured self-paced courses: Rowad Bidaya, targeted at early-stage founders needing foundational financial management skills (feasibility studies, pricing, financing options, Islamic banking), and Rowad Nomou, targeted at growth-stage tech founders navigating external financing, valuation, due diligence, and term sheets. The platform is supplemented by the Rowad Podcast and the Ghaltat Podcast (غلطات) interview series, a tools directory, and a financial glossary, all offered in Arabic and English.

The platform is built on the open-source edX learning management system, delivering courseware that combines video modules, infographics, explainer animations, and interactive exercises. Nomou features a non-linear navigation model where learners can browse a gallery of topics under each module. Course content is co-developed with prominent Saudi founders and investors, including Salman Butt (Salla), Mazen Al-Darrab (Zid), Lulwa Bakr (Chrome Advisory as Knowledge Partner), Hussein Attar (Tech Invest Com), and Omar Al Jundi (Badia Farms). Completing exercises in Bidaya yields downloadable Excel templates for personalized feasibility studies.

Rowad operates as a non-commercial initiative under Sedco Holding Group, funded by the parent conglomerate as part of its entrepreneurial ecosystem development and Vision 2030-aligned corporate mandate. All courses and resources are free, with no tuition, subscription, or paid tiers. Distribution is exclusively through the rowadjourney.com website, owned social channels (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), monthly newsletters, and in-person workshops at university campuses and CODE coworking spaces across Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Abha, Al-Ahsa, and AlUla.

Name

Rowad | رواد

Legal name

Rowad (رواد)

Website

https://rowadjourney.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rowad is a free, Arabic-language e-learning initiative by Sedco Holding Group offering self-paced courses and podcasts on financial management and venture capital education for early-stage and growth-stage Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship education
• Financial management training
• Venture capital education
• Startup financial literacy
• Arabic entrepreneurship courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Free educational programs (non-commercial): Rowad is explicitly described as an 'awareness initiative' presented by Sedco Holding Group. All courses are free; no tuition, subscription, or transaction fees are charged. The initiative appears to be funded by Sedco Holding Group as part of its corporate social responsibility and ecosystem development mandate, rather than generating direct revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rowad is a free e-learning platform offering self-paced online courses (Bidaya for early-stage entrepreneurs and Nomou for growth-stage startups) that teach financial management, feasibility studies, valuation, due diligence, and external financing for ventures. The initiative also publishes two podcast series (Rowad Podcast and Ghaltat Podcast), runs in-person workshops at Saudi universities, and provides supporting resources such as a tools directory and financial glossary, all delivered at no cost as a corporate awareness initiative under Sedco Holding Group.

Product overview

Rowad is an educational platform offering multiple learning products for entrepreneurs at different stages. The core offerings include two structured training courses: Rowad Bidaya for early-stage entrepreneurs covering financial management fundamentals, and Rowad Nomou for growth-stage founders focusing on external financing and venture capital. The platform supplements these courses with two podcast series (Rowad Podcast and Ghaltat Podcast) featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs, plus resource tools including a directory and financial glossary. All offerings are provided in both English and Arabic.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rowad Podcast: Podcast series featuring entrepreneurship discussions and interviews
• Ghaltat Podcast (غلطات)

Products and services

• Rowad Bidaya A free, self-paced online training course for early-stage entrepreneurs covering financial concepts, viability studies, pricing strategy, financing options (including Islamic banking), financial modeling, and managing customer and supplier relationships in startups. Delivered in Arabic and English with video modules, infographics, animations, and interactive exercises, and includes downloadable Excel templates for personalized financial documents.
• Rowad Nomou A free, self-paced online training program for founders of innovative and tech startups in the growth stage, covering types of external funding, investment-readiness processes, business and financial modeling, startup valuation, due diligence navigation, and closing investment deals. Delivered in Arabic and English in collaboration with Chrome Advisory as knowledge partner.
• Rowad Podcast A free podcast series covering entrepreneurship topics and lessons from successful Saudi founders, distributed via the Rowad platform and YouTube.
• Ghaltat Podcast (غلطات) A free interview-based podcast featuring successful Saudi entrepreneurs and investors sharing their journeys, challenges, and lessons learned in building companies. Published on YouTube and embedded on the Rowad platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• The platform has reached over 1,000 entrepreneurs through its programs and surveys, indicating significant market penetration in the Saudi startup ecosystem.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / parent, core / knowledge partner, platform infrastructure and minor.

• Sedco Holding Groupflagship / parentStrategic or Co-development PartnerRowad is an awareness initiative presented by Sedco Holding Group. The parent organization funds, operates, and brand-associates with Rowad as part of its entrepreneurial ecosystem development mission. Sedco Holding Group is a major Saudi conglomerate.
• Chrome Advisorycore / knowledge partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerChrome Advisory, specialized in venture capital advisory and working closely with VC funds, angel investors, family offices, and corporates in KSA and the MENA region, is listed as the Knowledge Partner for the Rowad Nomou program. The firm contributes expert content and credibility to the program's curriculum.
• edXplatform infrastructureTechnology or IntegrationRowad's platform (rowadjourney.com) is built on the edX open-source learning management system infrastructure. edX provides the course hosting, learner management, and certificate issuance technology underlying all Rowad programs.
• CODE (Coworking Spaces)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCODE coworking spaces in Abha (King Khaled University) and Al-Ahsa (King Faisal University) are venue partners for Rowad's in-person workshops and financial management events targeting university students and local entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Misk Foundation: Saudi non-profit foundation focused on youth empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship. Competes for the same Saudi founder/student audience and corporate sponsorships as Rowad.
• Abwaab: MENA-focused EdTech platform offering free, Arabic-language supplemental learning content. Comparable to Rowad in language, region, and free-to-user model, though targeting K-12 students rather than entrepreneurs.
• Monsha'at (Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority): Saudi government authority driving SME and entrepreneurship development nationwide. Directly comparable to Rowad as both target Saudi entrepreneurs with educational and ecosystem support programs aligned to Vision 2030.
• Nafis (Saudi Human Capability Development Program): Government-backed Saudi program supporting workforce development and employability. Comparable to Rowad as a publicly funded Saudi initiative targeting skills and entrepreneurship outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Udemy: Global marketplace for self-paced online courses across business and entrepreneurship. Comparable to Rowad in self-paced, on-demand course delivery model and target learner.
• Coursera: Large-scale online learning platform offering courses from universities and companies. Comparable as a global incumbent in the same lifelong learning and professional upskilling category Rowad serves.
• edX: Global online learning platform whose open-source LMS infrastructure underpins Rowad. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the online learning space and the upstream technology provider for Rowad's platform.
• LinkedIn Learning: Global professional development library with courses on business, finance, and entrepreneurship. Comparable to Rowad as a broad incumbent in the online professional and entrepreneurship learning category.

Regional players

• GOMYCODE: MENA-focused EdTech and coding education provider with physical learning spaces. Comparable to Rowad in regional focus, Arabic-language delivery, and blended online + in-person learning events.

Emerging players

• Kafaa (linked to STC Academy): Saudi e-learning platform offering digital skills and entrepreneurship training. Comparable to Rowad as a domestic Saudi e-learning competitor targeting career and entrepreneurship upskilling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rowad_SEDCO
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rowadSEDCO
• Facebookfacebook.com/rowadjourney
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rowad-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF
• Instagraminstagram.com/rowad_sedco/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rowad | رواد