Saudi Grants Citizenship to Uber Founder Travis Kalanick Vision 2030

First, list of detected linkable resources in order of appearance:
– Saudi Vision 2030 (policy) — first mention in opening paragraph as “Vision 2030”
– Vision 2030 — section heading “Vision 2030 and the Citizenship Strategy”
– Saudi Vision 2030 — in “The government’s official program framework is available at Saudi Vision 2030.” (already a link to a .gov site)

Now the article with government links added. I added links only to the first mention of the exact resource name “Vision 2030” and “Saudi Vision 2030” using the official government domain (vision2030.gov.sa). No other text or structure was changed.

(SAUDI ARABIA) Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to Travis Kalanick, the American entrepreneur and co-founder of Uber, through a royal decree issued this week as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan to bring in exceptional global talent. John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, was also awarded Saudi citizenship under the same announcement. Officials described the move as part of an effort to attract people with rare skills who can help drive long-term economic change beyond oil.

Travis Kalanick is one of Silicon Valley’s most noted founders. He co-launched Uber in 2009 and led the company until 2017, overseeing its fast global growth and a market valuation near $150 billion. Today he runs CloudKitchens, a global “ghost kitchen” operator focused on delivery-only food brands. The company operates across more than 400 locations worldwide, including sites in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE under the KitchenPark brand. Kalanick recently raised $1.25 billion to speed up expansion and also leads the 10100 Fund, which invests in real estate, e-commerce, and new ideas in China and India.

John Pagano brings four decades of experience in real estate and tourism. Since 2018, he has served as the CEO of Red Sea Global, where he oversees The Red Sea and AMAALA luxury tourism projects following their 2022 merger. Before that, he served as president of Baha Mar Development Company Ltd., managing the $3.6 billion Baha Mar Resort development in the Bahamas. Forbes Middle East named him among its “Travel and Tourism Leaders” in 2024 for shaping Saudi Arabia’s luxury tourism sector. Both Pagano and Kalanick have recently embraced Islam.

Vision 2030 and the Citizenship Strategy

Saudi officials said the citizenship grants reflect a broader strategy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a hub for business talent. The initiative targets “distinguished scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in rare and vital specializations” whose skills match the country’s goals.

Authorities say the program aims to:
– Enhance an environment that invests in human capabilities and attracts exceptional talent.
– Boost sectors from tourism to technology by bringing in specialized knowledge.
– Align long-term economic planning with hands-on experience in strategic industries.

The government’s official program framework is available at Saudi Vision 2030.

Policy Context and Gulf Competition

Kalanick retains close ties with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has backed both Uber and his CloudKitchens venture. CloudKitchens is currently considering an IPO in the Gulf region, linking the entrepreneur’s future plans with the local capital market landscape.

This decision fits with Riyadh’s push to draw high-profile figures who can:
– Build companies and jobs in the Kingdom
– Expand the country’s international network in technology and services

The move also mirrors a broader shift across the Gulf where countries are racing to attract long-term residents, investors, and founders. The UAE and Qatar have rolled out similar schemes aimed at investors and entrepreneurs. Recent high-profile relocations to the region include:
– Revolut co-founder Nik Storonsky
– Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

Drivers for these relocations include policy stability, lower taxes, and access to fast-growing Gulf markets. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these national programs form part of a wider effort in the region to compete for top talent in finance, technology, and tourism.

Why These Selections Matter for Saudi Arabia

For Saudi Arabia, awarding citizenship to Travis Kalanick and John Pagano serves a dual purpose:

1. It signals openness to seasoned leaders with a record of delivering complex projects.
2. It aligns those leaders with sectors Saudi planners want to accelerate.

• Pagano’s role at Red Sea Global directly supports the Kingdom’s premium destinations strategy in tourism.
• Kalanick’s CloudKitchens footprint in the Gulf—already active under the KitchenPark brand—points to potential growth in delivery-only kitchens and related logistics.

Both selections tie into the government’s objective of building talent pools and operational know-how across:
– Tourism sites and hospitality services
– Logistics networks and food delivery systems
– Technology-driven service industries

The citizenship grants emphasize that the Kingdom seeks more than capital — it targets specialized knowledge and rare skills capable of supporting new industries.

Potential Impact in the Kingdom

Officials say the program aims to strengthen sectors from tourism to technology. The selection of Kalanick and Pagano clearly reflects those focus areas.

Pagano’s contributions:
– Experience delivering complex, multi-billion-dollar tourism projects
– Leadership of The Red Sea and AMAALA luxury developments
– Recognition by Forbes Middle East in 2024, underscoring regional influence

Kalanick’s contributions:
– Proven track record in scaling platforms at Uber
– CloudKitchens’ global operations and recent $1.25 billion funding round indicating growth potential
– Existing Gulf presence and links to PIF that align with national investment priorities

The royal-decree citizenship also carries symbolic weight. Kalanick is a prominent name in the startup world; Pagano is integral to two flagship Saudi tourism projects. By choosing leaders with direct ties to targeted sectors, the Kingdom signals continuity between strategy and selection and demonstrates how national programs can bridge international founders with local aims.

Regional Pattern and Takeaways for Founders

The announcement sits within a regional pattern of competitive talent initiatives in the Gulf. The UAE and Qatar have created long-term residence and citizenship pathways to attract investors and entrepreneurs. High-profile relocations to the UAE illustrate that the Gulf is drawing talent from across the world, including from the United States 🇺🇸.

Key takeaways for founders:
– The program targets rare skills, not just capital.
– Backed ventures and local footprints matter, as shown by PIF’s links to Uber and CloudKitchens and CloudKitchens’ presence under KitchenPark.
– Tourism and technology are key growth areas, reflected in Pagano’s portfolio and Kalanick’s operating model.

Saudi officials have framed the citizenship decision as part of a long-term plan rather than a one-off gesture. The emphasis on “distinguished” professionals suggests more announcements could follow in fields that match national priorities. For now, the selection of Travis Kalanick and John Pagano brings immediate attention to how Vision 2030 seeks to connect global experience with local goals.