Adel Al Ateeq: Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Investment and Capital Markets Landscape

Leading Awaed

Since March 2023, Adel Al Ateeq has served as Co-founder and CEO of Awaed, a Saudi platform focused on retail multi-market trading and multi-asset investing.

His current leadership role represents the latest stage in a career spanning investment management, capital markets, real estate investment, private equity, venture capital, and institutional governance.

At Awaed, Al Ateeq brings together his experience across investment and financial markets with an understanding of the evolving needs of investors in Saudi Arabia.

Building Saudi Arabia’s Investment Ecosystem

Before co-founding Awaed, Al Ateeq served as Chief Executive Officer of Jada Fund of Funds from 2019 to 2023.

Jada was established with a mandate focused on supporting Saudi Arabia’s private equity and venture capital ecosystem and contributing to the long-term growth and success of Saudi SMEs.

Leading the organization placed Al Ateeq within an important part of Saudi Arabia’s investment landscape, where private capital, entrepreneurship, and institutional investment intersect.

His experience at Jada followed a substantial career in asset management and financial services, giving him exposure to multiple dimensions of investment activity.

A Career in Asset Management

Al Ateeq spent more than 11 years at Riyad Capital, progressing through senior investment leadership positions.

He served as Head of Asset Management from 2008 to 2017, followed by the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer from 2017 to 2019.

This period represented a significant stage in his development as an investment executive, expanding his responsibilities from asset management into broader executive leadership.

His experience across these roles established a foundation spanning investment management, institutional decision-making, and financial-services leadership.

Pioneering Saudi REIT Leadership

Al Ateeq also played a founding role in the development of Saudi Arabia’s listed real estate investment trust market.

He served as Founder and Chairman of the Board of Riyad REIT, holding the chairmanship from 2017 to 2023.

The profile identifies Riyad REIT as the first REIT in Saudi Arabia, placing Al Ateeq’s leadership within an important chapter in the Kingdom’s real estate investment market.

His experience in real estate investment complemented his wider background in asset management and capital markets, creating a broad perspective across different investment structures.

Contributing to the Venture Capital and Private Equity Ecosystem

Al Ateeq has also maintained a longstanding connection with Saudi Arabia’s venture capital and private equity community.

He has served as a Board Director of the Saudi Venture Capital and Private Equity Association since 2019 and is identified as a founding member of the association.

His board and investment-committee roles have extended across a range of organizations, including Takamol Holding, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, and other Saudi companies and investment entities.

These positions reflect an executive career that extends beyond managing individual investment portfolios into governance, investment oversight, and institutional development.

A Broad Board Leadership Portfolio

Alongside his executive responsibilities, Al Ateeq has held board positions across sectors and organizations.

His current and recent board roles include Securities Depository Center Company (Edaa), Boudl Hotels, Al Majal Al Arabi Group, Hassana Investment Company, and the Saudi Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.

He has also previously served on the boards of Riyadh Valley Company, Taibah Valley, Riyad TAQNIA Fund, Sure International Technology, and Beehive, among others.

This breadth of governance experience has exposed him to different business models and investment environments while strengthening his perspective on corporate oversight and strategic decision-making.

Leadership Across Investment Disciplines

What distinguishes Al Ateeq’s career is the breadth of investment disciplines represented across his professional journey.

His experience includes:

• Asset management
• Private equity
• Venture capital
• Real estate investment
• Multi-asset investing
• Capital markets
• Investment committees
• Corporate governance
• Board leadership

Rather than remaining within a single investment category, his career has developed across multiple segments of the Saudi financial and investment ecosystem.

International Executive Education

Al Ateeq’s professional background is supported by international business and leadership education.

He earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business. He also completed executive leadership education at Stanford University and the London Business School.

This combination of finance education and executive leadership development complements his extensive practical experience across investment management and corporate governance.

Looking Ahead

As Co-founder and CEO of Awaed, Al Ateeq’s current role brings together several strands of his career: investment management, financial markets, asset management, and investor-focused platforms.

His professional journey—from asset management leadership at Riyad Capital to executive leadership at Jada, founding leadership at Riyad REIT, and now entrepreneurship at Awaed—reflects a sustained involvement in the development of Saudi Arabia’s investment ecosystem.

CEO Network Recognition

CEO Network recognizes Adel Al Ateeq for his contribution to Saudi Arabia’s investment and financial-services landscape and for a career spanning asset management, real estate investment, private equity, venture capital, and multi-asset investing.

Through executive leadership, board participation, and investment oversight, Al Ateeq has built a career connecting capital, institutions, and investment opportunities across the Kingdom.