ElGoat raised $266,000 in a seed round via Trigon at a $2.66 million valuation
Founded in March 2026 by Mohammed Almunajem, former Al Shabab Club president
Platform offers skill-based football predictions without betting or cash rewards
Covers leagues such as the English Premier League and Saudi Roshn League
Funding will support product development, user growth, and regional expansion
Targets rising demand for interactive sports gaming in MENA
Saudi startup targets sports gaming boom
Saudi-based sportstech startup ElGoat has raised $266,000 in a seed funding round via Trigon, reaching a valuation of $2.66 million as it looks to expand its presence in the fast-growing sports gaming sector.
The company launched in March 2026, founded by Mohammed Almunajem, the former president of Al Shabab Club. It focuses on building a football prediction platform that shifts fan engagement beyond passive viewing into interactive gameplay.
A skill-based alternative to betting
ElGoat positions itself as a free-to-play platform that removes financial risk while preserving competition. Users can test their football knowledge by predicting match outcomes, exact scores, and goal scorers.
The platform does not offer cash rewards or betting mechanics. Instead, it relies on a points-based system that rewards accuracy and consistency. Players compete on global leaderboards or within private leagues, creating a social and competitive experience.
This approach aligns with regional dynamics, where regulated or restricted betting markets push demand toward alternative forms of engagement.
How the platform works
ElGoat builds its gameplay around structured scoring and limited predictions per round to maintain challenge and engagement.
Key features include:
Predictions for match outcomes, exact scores, and goal scorers
Coverage of major competitions such as the English Premier League and Saudi Roshn League
Points system rewarding both basic and advanced football knowledge
Global leaderboard rankings and private league competitions
Free-to-play model available in Arabic and English
The scoring model rewards deeper understanding of the game. For example, users earn points for correctly predicting winners, with higher rewards for exact scorelines and goal scorers.
Riding a regional shift in fan engagement
ElGoat enters the market as sports consumption habits evolve across the Middle East. A young, mobile-first population continues to demand more interactive and personalized digital experiences.
Football remains the dominant sport in the region, and platforms that blend gaming mechanics with fan engagement have gained traction. Startups increasingly explore formats that combine competition, community, and data-driven interaction.
ElGoat aims to position itself within this shift by offering a product that balances accessibility with competitive depth.
Funding to accelerate growth
The seed funding will support the company’s next phase of development, including:
Expanding product features and gameplay mechanics
Scaling user acquisition and community growth
Entering new regional and international markets
The company plans to build on its early traction by strengthening its platform and expanding its reach among football fans globally.
ElGoat’s early move reflects a broader trend in the MENA region, where startups target niche segments within digital entertainment and sports engagement rather than traditional betting models.
