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GCC unicorn count reaches nine with $45 billion combined value
UAE accounts for seven of the nine privately held startups valued at $1 billion or more, Saudi Arabia holds two.
The Gulf Cooperation Council countries now have nine unicorns with a combined value of $45 billion, up from seven last year, according to the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2026 published in October 2026. The UAE accounts for seven of the nine privately held startups valued at $1 billion or more, while Saudi Arabia has two.
Regional distribution and valuations#
Telegram, based in the UAE, is the region's most valuable unicorn at $30 billion, representing approximately two-thirds of the Gulf's total unicorn value. The UAE's other unicorns include cloud kitchen operator Kitopi, valued at $1.6 billion, and AI.Tech, valued at $1.5 billion. Saudi Arabia's two unicorns are Tabby, a buy-now-pay-later firm valued at $4.5 billion, and Tamara, valued at $1 billion. The index shows the UAE has three unicorns in the media and entertainment sector, ranking fourth globally behind the United States with 23, China with 11 and the United Kingdom with four.
Sector breakdown and classification#
The nine GCC unicorns span fintech, e-commerce, logistics, digital payments, artificial intelligence and media. Kitopi operates in the cloud kitchen sector, while AI.Tech focuses on artificial intelligence applications. Tabby and Tamara both operate in the buy-now-pay-later fintech segment. Unicorn counts and valuations vary across research providers depending on how companies are classified and which entities are included in the count.
Comparative regional data#
The Hurun report published earlier in 2026 showed the number of billionaires in the GCC rose by nine to 48. The UAE led that count with 28, followed by Saudi Arabia with 17, Qatar with two and Kuwait with one. The unicorn index tracks privately held startups valued at $1 billion or more, distinct from publicly traded companies or individuals' net worth figures.
Index methodology and scope#
The Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2026 counts privately held startups valued at $1 billion or more as of its publication date in October 2026. The index includes companies across technology, fintech, e-commerce, logistics, digital payments, artificial intelligence and media sectors. Valuations are based on the most recent funding rounds or assessments available to the index compilers at the time of publication.
Sources1 source across 1 domain
- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesGCC unicorn count, combined valuation, UAE and Saudi Arabia distribution, individual company valuations, sector breakdown and billionaire count
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