Databricks, the Data and AI company, announced it has launched in Saudi Arabia. By opening a new office, and forming strategic partnerships, Databricks will invest in the future of Saudi Arabia and enable its growing local customer base to combine data, analytics, and AI with the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform.
Data-forward organisations in Saudi Arabia are already innovating with the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, including Abdul Latif Jameel and Panda Retail.
Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company by the Public Investment Fund, PIF, recognised Databrick’s potential to contribute to the Saudi Arabia’s vibrant technology ecosystem and participated in Databricks’ greater than $500 million Series I funding round in 2023.
“Our investment in Databricks reflects our focus on investing in transformational companies the global technology innovation,” said a spokesperson from Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company by the Public Investment Fund, PIF.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an innovative company as Databricks to the Saudi Arabia,” said Mohammed Alrobayan, Deputy Minister for Technology in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, MCIT.
“We are building a powerful ecosystem of cloud providers and software companies to support businesses and government partners achieve a new level of technical excellence and innovation. Databricks’ presence in Saudi Arabia will support these ambitions.”
The company recently welcomed Mohammad Alzaubi as General Manager to lead operations locally. Bringing a wealth of experience from IBM, SAP and Microsoft, Alzaubi will drive further adoption of the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform across a range of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, energy, and retail. To support its growing team and local customers, Databricks also opened a new office in the Al Faisaliah Tower in Riyadh.
MCIT, represented by the Future Skills Initiative, in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, TVTC and the Human Resources Development Fund, HRDF, has recognised the Databricks, Data Engineer Professional and Engineer Associate certifications as part of its globally recognised professional certifications.
As part of its plans to drive adoption of the Data Intelligence Platform amongst its customers in Saudi Arabia, Databricks has committed to running a data engineer training and certification programme with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, MCIT.
This recognition enables Saudi Arabia citizens who pass these certifications to receive financial reimbursement, fostering the development of national competencies and supporting professional excellence in the field of data engineering.
“Democratising data and AI across an organisation is a top priority for every CEO today,” said Andy Kofoid, President and Head of Worldwide Operations at Databricks.
“The Databricks Data Intelligence Platform has the power to support the most innovative companies and entrepreneurs in the Saudi Arabia to derive greater insights from their enterprise data and build generative AI solutions much faster. The growth and adoption of new technologies across the Saudi Arabia are unparalleled and establishing a presence here is an exciting milestone for Databricks.”