Born to Disrupt - Democratising Real Estate Investment in Saudi Arabia with Hanouf Abdulelah Bin Saeed

In this episode of Born to Disrupt, hosts Mark Walker and Simon Hardie speak with Hanouf Abdulelah Bin Saeed, General Manager of Stake, a digital real estate investment platform. With over 17 years of experience in the financial sector and deep insights into regulatory and capital markets, Hanouf shares how Stake is transforming real estate investment in Saudi Arabia and beyond by making property ownership accessible, transparent, and fully digital.

Hanouf Abdulelah Bin Saeed

From Finance to PropTech

Hanouf opens the episode by reflecting on her journey from corporate and investment banking to real estate technology. She had been deeply involved in regulating non-banking financial institutions and real estate investment funds within Saudi Arabia. That experience aligned perfectly with the opportunity at Stake, which is leading a shift towards fractional real estate ownership through a digital platform. Her personal passion for real estate, combined with a fascination for digital transformation, motivated her to join the company.

Disrupting Real Estate Through Digitalisation

Historically, real estate in Saudi Arabia has operated through informal and paper-based transactions, often involving private groups of investors. Over the past two decades, however, the sector has gradually evolved—first through REITs and regulated real estate funds, and now through platforms like Stake, which enable individuals to invest in prime real estate with as little as 500 Saudi Riyals. Hanouf describes this as a revolution in access and inclusion, bridging the gap between retail investors and high-value assets.

Despite significant advances in fintech, real estate has lagged in digitalisation due to the complexity of property ownership and regulation. Stake, however, is working closely with regulators in Saudi Arabia to bring innovation to the sector. The company is involved in sandbox programmes and pilot projects that explore how to fractionalise title deeds, integrate with blockchain, and create a secure, compliant investment framework.

Aligning with Vision 2030

Hanouf emphasises how Stake’s mission aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly in driving up home ownership and creating new housing supply. With real estate development in the kingdom valued at over $1.5 trillion, and large-scale initiatives such as NEOM, the World Cup 2034, and Expo 2030, Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid urban transformation. Stake aims to harness this momentum by offering both income-generating and development-focused investment products, appealing to a wide range of local and global investors.

Expanding Access to Global Investors

Though headquartered in the UAE, Stake has successfully entered the Saudi market with strong backing from investors such as Mubadala, MEVP, Aljumeih Holding, and Aramco’s WAED Fund. The platform currently supports over one million users from 200 nationalities, and recent funds have attracted investors from countries including the UK, France, the US, India, and the UAE.

Stake’s vision is to build a borderless, seamless, and liquid investment experience. Hanouf describes the app as a tool that empowers users to invest in global real estate from anywhere in the world in just minutes—an experience she notes would have been unimaginable in previous decades.

Returns, Inclusion and Cultural Shifts

In terms of returns, Stake’s Saudi portfolio currently offers yields ranging from 8% to 10%, with one fund recently yielding 9.4%. In contrast, UAE-based opportunities typically offer around 5–6%. This return profile reflects the rapid growth of the Saudi market and the high demand for real estate.

Hanouf highlights a broader cultural shift: from consumption to financial inclusion and investment literacy. For Saudis—long culturally attuned to the value of land—real estate remains the preferred asset class. Stake is helping translate that sentiment into a modern, accessible investment journey, especially for younger generations.

Challenges and Vision Ahead

A key challenge lies in managing partnerships and maintaining strong relationships with developers, regulators, and financial institutions. But it’s also Stake’s greatest strength. By building a transparent, curated platform that prioritises prime locations and strategic relationships, Hanouf and her team are not just disrupting a market—they’re setting a standard.

This episode is a compelling look at how technology, regulation, and tradition are converging to reshape the future of real estate in Saudi Arabia—and beyond.