Qatari Startup Rawi Expands into Saudi Arabia Following Leading Content Accelerator

Doha, Qatar — Qatari cultural-tech startup Rawi Al Kotob has announced its strategic expansion into the Saudi market, propelled by recent participation in the Literature, Publishing & Translation Accelerator organized by Qatar’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission in collaboration with Falak Investment. The three-month intensive program focused on scaling Rawi’s business model and refining its digital content strategy to meet Saudi Arabia’s increasing demand for high-quality Arab storytelling.

Accelerator Completes Key Phase for Saudi Entry

As revealed in a recent LinkedIn post by the company, Rawi spent three focused months in the accelerator program, during which it significantly sharpened its offerings and aligned its growth strategy to Saudi Arabia’s cultural and digital ecosystem.

The timing is critical: the Saudi market has seen surging interest in digital literature and educational content, making Rawi’s move a strategic next step in expanding its presence in the Gulf.

Building Local Momentum: Team & Strategy

To drive local outreach and operations, Rawi has onboarded Moetad Al‑Dhiabi as its newest team member based in Saudi Arabia. His appointment underscores Rawi’s commitment to building authentic ties and adapting content to Saudi cultural and educational contexts.

Other contributors recognized by the startup for supporting its transformation during the accelerator include experts in content strategy, production coordination, creative design, and platform UX—all aligned to support seamless entry into the Saudi ecosystem.

Vision Aligned with Cultural Growth and Market Opportunity

Rawi Al Kotob, established in late 2016 in Doha, is among Qatar’s pioneering producers of Arabic audio content—spanning audiobooks, podcasts, documentaries, and articles. The company aims to reshape how Arabic knowledge is consumed digitally, combining international production quality with culturally resonant storytelling across the MENA region.

By targeting partnerships with platforms like Storytel, Audible, and educational institutions, Rawi is positioned to meet Saudi Arabia’s evolving appetite for accessible Arabic content, aligned with national cultural and human development goals.

Strategic Importance and Regional Impact

The expansion reflects a broader vision: to leverage digital content as a tool for cultural access and intellectual empowerment. As Saudi Arabia develops its cultural sector and digital infrastructure, startups like Rawi become key contributors to the transformation of Arabic media and knowledge dissemination.

Their model, combining high‑quality narration, inclusive technology, and market scalability, offers a blueprint for cultural-tech growth across the Gulf.

What Lies Ahead

With accelerator-supported refinement, a growing team presence in Riyadh, and a clear strategy for Saudi market entry, Rawi is poised to launch its services in the Kingdom with confidence.

As the Saudi audience embraces more Arabic-language digital content, Rawi’s platform anchored in inclusive storytelling and innovative formats stands ready to deliver. The company’s expansion signals a significant milestone in bridging Arabic heritage with modern media platforms and engaging a new generation of listeners and learners throughout the region.