As the Biban Forum 2025 opens in Riyadh from November 5 to 8, all eyes are not only on the record number of exhibitors and startups but on the stage itself. With more than 200 speakers spanning government, venture capital, technology, and entrepreneurship, this year’s program reads like a roadmap for how Saudi Arabia plans to turn innovation into economic infrastructure. Among the names shaping the agenda, a select group stands out voices that reflect both the Kingdom’s local vision and its global ambition.
At the top of that list is HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour Al Saud, Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Vision Association, who will lead the opening session on the main Biban Talks stage. His remarks are expected to chart Saudi Arabia’s next chapter in entrepreneurship linking Vision 2030 with practical steps for founders and SMEs. Prince Fahad has been instrumental in positioning the Kingdom as a regional startup hub and is known for emphasizing partnerships that bridge public institutions and private ventures.
Dr. Munir Eldesouki, President of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), will take the conversation deeper into innovation and research. His address will spotlight how national science programs are becoming launchpads for deep-tech startups. For founders in AI, robotics, or advanced manufacturing, Eldesouki’s insights will show how to integrate with KACST’s growing network of incubators and research labs the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s innovation infrastructure.
On the investment side, Dr. Nabeel Koshak, CEO and Board Member of the Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), will outline where venture capital is flowing in 2025 and beyond. His talk will focus on sectoral priorities from AI and digital health to sustainability and what investors are seeking from startups eyeing regional expansion. As Saudi Arabia continues to attract record levels of private equity and venture funding, Koshak’s perspective will serve as a guide for both local founders and international investors.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, Saud Alsabhan, Deputy Governor for Entrepreneurship at Monsha’at, remains one of the most anticipated voices. His session will provide practical updates on new regulatory frameworks, funding schemes, and SME development programs designed to simplify operations and accelerate growth. For entrepreneurs navigating Saudi Arabia’s business ecosystem, Alsabhan’s talk will likely be one of the most actionable of the week.
Adding to the forum’s global flavor, Simon Squibb, the British entrepreneur and founder of HelpBnk, will bring a founder’s realism to the stage. His session, expected to focus on execution, failure, and resilience, promises a ground-level view of what it takes to scale a business in a fast-evolving market. Squibb, who has built and exited multiple ventures, will share lessons that resonate beyond borders — from Riyadh to London and beyond.
Two emerging voices gaining attention this year are Omar Shabaan and Abdulrahman Jiffry, both rising figures in the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Shabaan, a serial entrepreneur and startup mentor, will discuss ecosystem building and founder resilience, drawing from his experience leading multiple ventures and mentoring early-stage startups in the Gulf. Jiffry, known for his work in innovation strategy and digital transformation, will focus on how technology, design, and user experience can drive regional growth. Together, their sessions will highlight the new generation of Saudi and Arab innovators shaping the next phase of digital entrepreneurship.
This year’s speaker lineup offers a cross-section of the entire entrepreneurial chain from national vision to grassroots innovation. It reflects how Saudi Arabia is evolving its SME ecosystem: combining policy, infrastructure, and private capital to accelerate diversification. The inclusion of both established leaders and emerging voices signals that Biban 2025 is not only a showcase for success but also a platform for dialogue and collaboration.
Organized by Monsha’at, the Biban Forum has become the Middle East’s leading gathering for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. More than 1,000 exhibitors and participants from over 80 countries are expected under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities.” For Saudi Arabia, the event is another step in its long-term strategy to build a sustainable, innovation-led economy one powered not by oil, but by ideas.
As the sessions begin, the conversations on stage will likely shape more than just this week’s agenda. They will frame how the Kingdom and the wider Gulf defines entrepreneurship in the years to come.
Key Voices to hear at Biban forum 2025 in Riyadh