Noon Academy acquires Almakhfi to strengthen Saudi edtech offering
Noon AcademyAcquirer
Noon Academy has acquired Saudi exam‑prep platform Almakhfi in a deal whose financial terms were not disclosed, expanding its AI‑driven learning ecosystem for middle and high‑school students following a SAR 153 million ($40.8 million) Series B round.
Deal Terms
Noon Academy, the Saudi‑based edtech company, announced on July 7, 2026 that it has acquired Almakhfi, a digital service focused on Qudurat and Tahsili exam preparation. The transaction’s financial details were not disclosed. The acquisition adds Almakhfi’s exam‑prep content and its 250,000‑plus student base to Noon Academy’s platform.
Strategic Rationale
Founded in 2013, Noon Academy operates a social learning platform that blends live classes, AI‑powered tutoring, and skills‑based curricula spanning core subjects, English, programming, robotics and drone technology. The company recently closed a SAR 153 million ($40.8 million) Series B round led by Wa’ed Ventures and Raed Ventures, giving it fresh capital to pursue growth initiatives.
Almakhfi, launched in 2018, has become a leading provider of online preparation for Saudi national examinations. Its specialised content and assessment tools have served more than a quarter‑million students preparing for the Qudurat and Tahsili tests.
By integrating Almakhfi’s exam‑specific modules, Noon Academy aims to deepen personalization through its AI engine, broaden its addressable market in the middle‑ and high‑school segments, and create cross‑selling opportunities across its broader curriculum. The move reflects a broader consolidation trend in Saudi Arabia’s education‑technology sector, where platforms are combining specialised products with AI‑driven learning experiences to improve outcomes and capture market share.
Why It Matters
The acquisition gives Noon Academy immediate scale in the high‑stakes exam‑prep market, a segment where competitors such as Nafham and other regional edtech firms have traditionally held strong footholds. By embedding Almakhfi’s content, Noon can increase user engagement and net revenue retention, leveraging AI to deliver more granular learning paths and upsell premium services.
For rivals, the deal underscores the urgency of building end‑to‑end learning ecosystems. Companies that rely solely on live tutoring or generic content may need to pursue similar bolt‑on strategies or accelerate organic AI development to stay competitive in a market that increasingly rewards integrated, data‑rich platforms.
Key Points
- Noon Academy acquired Almakhfi; deal value was not disclosed
- Almakhfi serves over 250,000 students preparing for Qudurat and Tahsili exams
- The acquisition follows Noon Academy’s SAR 153 million ($40.8 million) Series B round led by Wa’ed Ventures and Raed Ventures
- Noon Academy’s platform combines live classes, AI‑powered tools, and curricula in subjects including robotics and drones
- The deal reflects ongoing consolidation in Saudi Arabia’s edtech sector
Analysis
While the purchase price remains private, the timing suggests Noon Academy is deploying capital from its recent $40.8 million Series B to accelerate market share gains rather than pursuing a cash‑rich buyout. In the SaaS‑edtech space, valuation multiples are increasingly tied to AI‑enabled personalization and the ability to lock in students for longer learning journeys. By adding Almakhfi’s exam‑prep suite, Noon can boost expansion revenue and improve net revenue retention, key levers for SaaS investors evaluating growth sustainability.
The transaction also highlights a broader shift toward platform consolidation in emerging markets. Operators that can bundle live instruction, AI‑driven diagnostics, and specialised content are better positioned to command higher ARR multiples and attract follow‑on funding. For venture capitalists, the deal signals confidence in the scalability of AI‑centric edtech models in the Middle East, where government‑mandated examinations drive consistent demand. Investors may look for similar bolt‑on opportunities that deepen product breadth and create defensible data moats, reinforcing the premium placed on AI integration within SaaS education portfolios.