Number of Unicorn Companies in Gulf Countries Reaches 9, With Combined Valuations of $45 Billion

The number of unicorn companies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increased from 7 last year to 9 in 2026, while their combined valuations reached $45 billion. According to the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2026, 7 of these companies are based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while 2 are located in Saudi Arabia. Telegram became the region's highest-valued company, with a valuation of $30 billion.

UAE Hosts the Majority of Unicorn Companies in the Gulf

According to the “Global Unicorn Index 2026” report published by the Hurun Research Institute, the number of unicorn companies in the Gulf region increased by two compared with the previous year, reaching 9. Unicorn companies, defined as privately held startups valued at least $1 billion, operate in the region's technology, finance, and digital services sectors.

The UAE ranked first in the region with 7 companies, while Saudi Arabia ranked second with 2 companies. Among startups based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, companies operating in digital communications, artificial intelligence, and food technology stood out.

According to the report, UAE-based Telegram is the Gulf's most valuable unicorn company, with a valuation of $30 billion. Telegram's valuation accounts for approximately two-thirds of the combined value of the region's 9 companies.

Fintech and Artificial Intelligence Companies Included in the List

Saudi Arabia-based financial technology companies Tabby and Tamara are among the startups included in the report. Tabby, which allows consumers to pay for their purchases in installments, was valued at $4.5 billion in the Hurun index, while Tamara's valuation was recorded at $1 billion.

Kitopi, a cloud kitchen operator operating in the UAE, was valued at $1.6 billion, while AI.Tech, which operates in the artificial intelligence sector, was valued at $1.5 billion. According to Hurun data, the UAE hosts 3 unicorn companies in the media and entertainment sector. In this category, the United States leads with 23 companies, followed by China with 11 and the United Kingdom with 4, all ranking ahead of the UAE.

Global Number of Unicorn Companies Reaches 1,603

The Hurun Global Unicorn Index, published in June 2026, revealed that there were a total of 1,603 unicorn companies across 52 countries and 299 cities worldwide. The number of companies increased by 5.3% compared with the previous year, while their combined valuations rose to $8 trillion.

The United States ranked first globally with 806 unicorn companies. China ranked second with 381 companies, while the United Kingdom placed third with 80 companies. The report stated that the number of unicorn companies operating in artificial intelligence had increased to 215. Financial technology, enterprise software, and artificial intelligence were listed among the main sectors of the global unicorn ecosystem.

Tabby's Valuation Rises to $6.5 Billion in September 2026

Following the publication of the Hurun index, Saudi Arabia-based Tabby announced on September 14, 2026, that it had completed a $233 million funding round. The transaction increased the company's valuation from $4.5 billion to $6.5 billion. Tabby stated that it would use the new funding to expand its credit and financial services in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.