The fifth edition of Entrepreneurial Meetings, held in conjunction with the Future Investment Initiative (FII9), brought together leading entrepreneurs, investors, decision-makers, and ecosystem enablers to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and strengthen its position as a global innovation hub under Vision 2030.
Organized by Entrepreneurship Vision, the event showcased national programs, accelerators, and partnerships supporting founders across sectors, emphasizing the country’s growing role as a global investment destination.
HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of Entrepreneurship Vision, opened the event titled “Investment in Entrepreneurship,” highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to nurturing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. He said the series embodies the Kingdom’s long-term vision for the future of investment and entrepreneurship.
Fahad Al-Hashem, Assistant Deputy Minister of Investment at the Ministry of Investment (MISA), delivered the welcoming remarks, reaffirming the Ministry’s role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and attracting high-quality investments to the Kingdom.
During the event, Bahar Alharbi, Founder of Startups House, announced the launch of the fifth edition of the Atlaq Accelerator — a flagship initiative designed to empower early-stage startups through mentorship, capacity-building, and funding access.
A panel titled “National Programs: Building the Future for Global Startups” brought together Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz, CEO of the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), Abdullah Al Dawish, and Abdullah Al Shamrani, moderated by Lama Al Hamawi, to discuss the role of government-led technology programs in supporting global entrepreneurship. Neyaz emphasized that NTDP’s mission is to accelerate the Kingdom’s digital transformation by fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. In a previous statement, Neyaz noted that the program partners with more than 50 private-sector entities to drive growth in AI, fintech, and deep-tech sectors, aiming to strengthen the technology ecosystem’s contribution to economic diversification.
In another session, “Shaping the Investment Landscape in Saudi Startups,” Abdulaziz Al Nuwaiser and Ahmed Akmal, moderated by Bahar Alharbi, discussed the evolution of venture capital and new opportunities to support startups in the Kingdom.
The panel “Saudi Arabia: A Future Investment Destination” featured Mohammed Al Arifi, Afnan Al Babtain, and Abdulrahman Al Samail, moderated by Adwa AlDakheel, focusing on the Kingdom’s growing competitiveness as a destination for innovation-led investment.
Julie Barbier presented “The Founder’s Journey to Growth,” sharing an inspiring view of the startup journey, while Cécilia Puyeo, Co-founder of Bonjour Saudi, led “From Culture to Entrepreneurship,” exploring the intersection of creative industries and startup growth.
Haya Al Azman presented “The Investment Landscape in Saudi Arabia,” showcasing the country’s investment potential and the rise of women-led entrepreneurship. Fahad Algahtani, Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Entrepreneurship Vision, also highlighted the organization’s initiatives that strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem through collaboration and community building.
The Global Innovation Panel, moderated by Mohammed Al Harbi, featured Kazuhiro Ayoshi, Mohammed Amin, Shiran Dias, and Courtney Powell, COO of 500 Global. The session discussed global collaboration, innovation, and investment integration, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in the international startup landscape.
Another discussion, “Quality of Life: Investing in Saudi Arabia’s Lifestyle Economy,” featured Basim Ibrahim and Salman Al-Khattaf, who explored opportunities in the lifestyle sector and its contribution to sustainable development and Vision 2030 goals.
Closing the event, Khalid Sharbatly, Chairman of the National Entrepreneurship Committee, emphasized the importance of collaboration among government agencies, investors, and startups to further empower entrepreneurs and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global position as an innovation leader.
The fifth Entrepreneurial Meetings, held alongside FII9, reflected Saudi Arabia’s growing emphasis on innovation-driven growth — connecting the public and private sectors to build an inclusive, globally competitive entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Entrepreneurship Vision hosts fifth edition of entrepreneurial meetings alongside FII9