The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) successfully concluded its engagement in the Rowad Conference 2023 and the Annual Gulf Entrepreneurship Forum, held from November 20 to 22 in Doha, Qatar. The event featured the participation of 10 Saudi start-ups.

The conference brought together over 70 innovative start-up companies from various Gulf countries, emphasizing the significance of entrepreneurial and economic cooperation within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The forum aimed to support Gulf start-ups in embracing a competitive entrepreneurial culture that fosters innovation and sustainability in the field of digital transformation.

During the event, Thani Al-Ahmadi, the Director General of Capacity Building at Monsha’at, participated in a panel discussion titled "Accessing Data and Capacity Development". This session focused on facilitating access to data and information that supports Gulf entrepreneurs. Joining him was Engineer Abdul Majeed Al-Omrani, the Director General of Innovation, who participated in a captivating discussion session titled "Culture of Entrepreneurship and Creativity." Al-Omrani shed light on the valuable programs and services offered to Gulf entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of innovation. Additionally, Mr. Abdulmohsen bin Jafal, the Director of the Finance Department at Monsha'at, shared his expertise during a discussion session entitled "Access to Finance and Investment." He elaborated on the policies and programs designed to simplify financial access for emerging Gulf companies, in the presence of a distinguished group of entrepreneurship experts from across the Gulf.

Highlighting the accomplishments of Saudi Arabia, two Saudi companies secured top positions in the "Gulf Hackathon" competition for start-up companies in GCC countries. The hackathon, a pioneering event in the region, featured five challenges related to technology and digital transformation for entrepreneurial projects. The winners received financial prizes totaling 400,000 Qatari riyals. Digital Petroleum emerged victorious in the Sustainability Technology challenge, while the Moddakir application won the Education Technology challenge. The conference also provided an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase their entrepreneurial projects, network with their Gulf counterparts, exchange experiences and information, strengthen Gulf partnerships, and present their projects to regional investors to expand their business networks in the Gulf region.