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More than 2,200 entrants in the 2017 MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Saudi Startup Competition have been whittled down to 45 semi-finalists, then to 27 finalists last Thursday by a panel of business experts and academics from Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The event, now in its second year, is organised in partnership between Community Jameel’s Bab Rizq Jameel initiative and Zain Saudi Arabia. It has three categories: startup, social enterprise, and ideas. The nine finalists in each track are:

• Startup – Shayala App, Ajeer App, Mrsool App, Nashmi Services, Float, Gofrah, iBoat, Zayer, and Madad Services
• Social enterprise – Tadweer, Banafsajeel, Scientific Saudi, OmCare, D. Sin Project, Axor, University Market, Ketaby Lak application, and Kararat.
• Ideas – More than a 100 Years, Morshed, Smart Booking App, Health and comfort, Aquaponica, Wahidoon App, Packageha, Stitches, and Sense.

The top three in each track will be announced on March 18 at the final celebration of this year’s contest at King Abdullah Economic City. They will share prizes totaling SAR 265,000 and benefit from high-level training, expert mentorship, and media exposure.

The 27 finalists that were chosen out of 45 teams by a panel of business experts and academics from Saudi Arabia and beyond who assessed applicants’ business models according to the contest criteria. This included the creativity used to answer a concept-based, entrepreneurial, or social need; ability to expand beyond the competition itself; and making a positive impact on society.

In the startup track, judges examined each entrant’s capabilities and whether they had the potential to become effective-impact entrepreneurs with strong teams, broad experience and crucially, an expandable and promotable idea.

In the ideas track, the entry criteria targeted creative, promotable, and expandable ideas with the potential to provide effective social and commercial solutions. In the social track, entrants were asked to show their profitable social enterprise concepts.

Throughout the contest and beyond, MITEF Saudi Arabia arranges workshops and orientation courses presented by specialist training entities to help participants develop and implement their projects. The most recent was a three-day training camp at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College under the supervision of trainers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology(KAUST).

Finalist teams continue to attend weekly training courses with experts assigned to work with them and help make their ideas and projects successful. Finalists will also participate in the Saudi StartSmart Forum, a MITEF program that guides and motivates local entrepreneurs.

The nine winners from Saudi Arabia will then take part in the 10th MITEF Pan Arab competition (to be held in Bahrain in April) where the best startup ideas from across the Arab world will be showcased.

Dr Sarah Ghaleb, Senior General Manager of Education and Entrepreneurship Initiatives at Community Jameel and the Project Manager of the 2nd MITEF Saudi Startup Competition, said: “We are looking forward to a key event in Saudi Arabia in terms of audience and influence in spreading the culture of entrepreneurship and creativity in the Kingdom and the region. This will culminate in a set of important agreements between BRJ and some leading players in this sector as well as between BRJ and a group of entrepreneurs.”

Sultan bin Mohammed AlShahrani, Chief Human Resources Officer in Zain Saudi Arabia congratulated the finalists, saying: “The level of competition we witnessed in this year’s contest, promises a bright future for entrepreneurship and innovation projects in Saudi Arabia.”

AlShahrani added: “Partnerships with startups in the field of Communications and Information Technology is a vital part of Zain’s strategy, as it enables us to play our role in the digital transformation initiatives indicated in the National Transformation Program 2020.”

MITEF Saudi Arabia is organised with the support of partners including the Small and Medium Size Enterprises Authority (government partner), MIT Technology Review Magazine (media), MITEF Pan Arab (regional), Wadi Makkah Company (innovation), King Khalid Foundation (social entrepreneurship), Sedco Holding (financial awareness).

Badir Program 9 (technical incubators), Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Center ‘Wa’ed’ (promising partner), Prince Mohammed bin Salman college (cognitive partner), King Abdullah Economic City, (co-host), and Saudi Investment Bank (investment partner), are also participating.

Further support is provided by Microsoft, Oracle, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Alwan Company, Qotuf Company, and Al Mosa’don Company.

MITEF Saudi Arabia is part of the MITEF global network of chapters dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide, and to provide knowledge, communication, and training for entrepreneurs, enabling them to quickly turn ideas into world-changing companies.

The Saudi Arabian chapter was established in 2015, with a view to promoting and enriching entrepreneurship. Its aim is to support and celebrate all startups and entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia through the three project categories.

The 45 semi-finalists for the 2017 MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Saudi Arabia competition have been announced.

The event, now in its second year, has been organised in partnership between Community Jameel’s Bab Rizq Jameel initiative and Zain Saudi Arabia and has three categories: ideas, startup, and social enterprise.

The semi-finalists were chosen from more than 2,200 entrants by 100 business experts and academics from Saudi Arabia and beyond who assessed the applicants’ business models according to the contest criteria. This included the creativity used to answer a concept-based, entrepreneurial, or social need; ability to expand beyond the competition itself; and making a positive impact on society.

In the startup track, judges examined each entrant’s capabilities and whether they had the potential to become effective-impact entrepreneurs with strong teams, broad experience and crucially, an expandable and promotable idea.

In the ideas track, the entry criteria targeted creative promotable and expandable ideas with the potential to provide effective social and commercial solutions and in the social track, entrants were asked to show their profitable social enterprise business.

The second round of judging will take place later this month and the panel will announce the names of the 27 finalist teams.

The overall winners will be announced on March 11 after which the top three in each track will be invited to participate in the 10th MITEF Pan Arab competition (to be held in Bahrain in April) where the best startup ideas from across the Arab world are recognised and rewarded.

Meantime, participants who have reached this stage of the Saudi Arabia competition are now eligible to participate in the Saudi StartSmart Forum, a MITEF programme which is organised with the aim of encouraging, motivating, and guiding local entrepreneurs to achieve success across social and commercial and idea-based projects. The programme hosts workshops directly related to technology and innovation.

Dr Sarah Ghaleb, Senior General Manager of Education and Entrepreneurship Initiatives, said: “Since the launch of the contest, MITEF Saudi Arabia has developed a rich and thorough programme designed to help prepare and encourage participants to start implementing their small and medium projects. With cash prizes worth up to SAR 265,000, workshops and orientation sessions available throughout the contest period, MITEF Saudi Arabia plays an important role in supporting the development of a knowledge-based economy and an entrepreneurial spirit within Saudi Arabia. We are proud to be involved in such an important endeavour.”

Since the beginning of this year’s competition, MITEF has sought to promote the values and benefits of the contest by organising a series of educational tours in Saudi Arabia. Our aim is also to seek out talent and encourage entrepreneurs from various disciplines to participate.

These tours included extensive visits to universities, colleges, and entities concerned with entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia who helped us not only spread awareness of MITEF and the competition in general, but actively encouraged and inspired young men and women to create and instigate their own entrepreneurial concepts.”

Saad Al-Ahmari, Media Relations Manager at Zain Saudi Arabia, expressed his pleasure in seeing the variety of innovative ideas and businesses. He said: “The initial stages of the contest, across all the tracks, proved the ability of the participating teams to continue providing added value to the local business landscape as an extension of what the previous edition of MITEF Saudi Arabia provided.”

Al-Ahamri added: “Zain Saudi Arabia partnership comes within its sustainability initiatives and support to the local start-ups. Supporting innovation and technology entrepreneurship is essential in the country’s transformation to the knowledge based economy.”

He added that Zain’s partnership in the contest comes within its sustainability initiatives and in encouraging national entrepreneurship projects, since simulation of innovation and supporting startup technical projects are within the national strategic objectives in supporting Saudi Arabia’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.

MITEF Saudi Arabia is organised with the support of backers and partners including the Small and Medium Size Enterprises Authority (government partner), MIT Technology Review Magazine (media partner), MITEF Pan Arab (regional partner), Wadi Makkah Company (innovation partner), King Khalid Foundation (social entrepreneurship partner), Sedco Holding (financial awareness partner). Badir Program 9 (technical incubators), Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Centre ‘Wa’ed’ (promising partner), and Saudi Investment Bank (investment partner), are also participating.

Further support is provided by Microsoft, Oracle, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Alwan Company, Qotuf Company, and Al Mosa’don Company.

MITEF Saudi Arabia is part of the MITEF global network of chapters dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide, and to provide knowledge, communication, and training for entrepreneurs, enabling them to quickly turn ideas into world-changing companies.

The Saudi Arabian chapter was established in 2015, with a view to promoting and enriching entrepreneurship. Its aim is to support and celebrate all startups and entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia through the contest of startups, ideas, and social projects.

 

MITEF SAUDI ARABIA 2017 SEMI FINALISTS

 

IDEAS TRACK	STARTUP TRACK	SOCIAL TRACK
More than 100 Years	Shayyala App	Mohami Platform
Morshid	Ajeer App	Qararat Istisharat; Ta’zeem Al Athar
Wursha.com	Mrsool App	Oukuluna
SpeedPharm	Salah-ha App	Hayate Suker
Smart Booking App	7aratna App	Tadweer
Seha we Raha team	Sihatech.com	Tawasoli
Aquaponica	Nashmi Services	Banafsajeel
Inks	Float	Scientific Saudi
Nav & Info App for Blinds	Gofrah	Mahabba Project
Packageha	Warsha Plus	Qatarat
Easier	iBoat	Om Car
MR Aerospace	Aman	D. Sin Project
ConCoating	Zayer	Oxor
Stitches False Wall project	Venus Platform	University Market
Wahedun	Madad Services	Ketabi luk

Today is the perfect time to invest in the private sector market and venture into an entrepreneurship, announced Governor of the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Abdullatif Al-Othman at the MIT Enterprise Forum Saudi Arabia held here on Saturday.

Apart from the traditional sectors in oil and gas and petrochemical industries and real estate, he said other sectors are in need of further investment at a time during which “Saudi Arabia is committed to diversify its economy.”

With its first branch launched in Saudi Arabia, MITEF is a global organization of professionals serving the entrepreneurial needs in the US and global markets, affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) through MIT Technology Review.

“Investment in Saudi is one of the most advancing (and) we continue to review laws and regulations,” Al-Othman addressed a crowd of attendees at the one-day forum held in Dar Hussein Jameel.

Experts and entrepreneurs discussed key issues and challenges in Saudi entrepreneurship.

Dr. Saleh Basalamah, deputy director at KACST GIS Technology and CEO of NaviBees, a newly launched smart navigation guide used in closed buildings, said attracting Saudi talent was one of the first challenges he faced, voicing the concern of many other startup founders at the forum.

The market response, he added, generally has little trust in newly introduced innovations. With three sizeable clients currently in hand, NaviBees aims to increase its popularity by offering more accurate features lacking in Google Maps and other similar navigation tools to visitors in areas where people need a handy guide such as shopping malls, university campuses, and the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

On empowering innovators, experts agreed on the need to encourage more risk-takers and lift the fear among Saudi youth in venturing into entrepreneurships.

More awareness and education on entrepreneurship is needed among Saudis entering the job market, experts stressed.

“Some of the best entrepreneurs are fragmented,” said Mudassir Sheikha, founder of Careem, the widely used service car app. Despite the abundance in creativity, energy, and talent, many entrepreneurs tend to create small projects instead of focusing on one and allow it to grow into a large business.

“Our region needs more successes,” he added.

In a panel discussion called ‘Saudi Valley’, young entrepreneurs confessed that perseverance in front of negative criticism is a must. With a chance of failing in a brand new technology, many entrepreneurs need a push to not give up on their projects.

When considering opportunities, CEO and cofounder of TaM-Projects Inc. Abdullah Al-Yousef said those with good ideas should not hesitate to put them into action and not view all problems as the governments’ responsibility to solve.

Despite over 700,000 commercial licenses are actively operating in an economy considered to be the largest in the region and the third fastest growing in the G20, many startups are still in need of endorsement and support in Saudi Arabia where it was only recently that the creation of a committee such as the Higher Authority for SMEs was approved in late October.

“We have to give freedom to those starting up,” said Tuba Terekli CEO of Qotuf AlRiyadah, the first private entrepreneurship foundation in Saudi Arabia, and called for more Saudi youth to aim big in their enterprises and turn worldwide.

The forum concluded with the announcement of winners at the third round of the Startup Competition.

The competition offered contestants to join the startup and ideas track to get a chance to receive mentorship and participate at the upcoming 9th MITEF Arab Startup Competition in April in partnership with Community Jameel and Zain Group.

On its final round, six groups of Saudi-based entrepreneurs were announced as the winners for cash prizes worth up to SR220,000 with B8tak.com and Every Drop Counts (EDC) winning first place.

“The experience has been very beneficial especially since I didn’t have a background in business or entrepreneurship but I have a passion toward saving water and to be more sustainable,” Lara Khouly, project manager of EDC, told Saudi Gazette.

“We went through a long and gradual process since September,” said Lulwa Alsoudairy, CEO and cofounder of Artistia.com, and second place winner. “After learning so much and understanding the Saudi market, we changed our model accordingly. We were then able to learn what steps to take to reach the global market. Our experience with the program was well-rounded.”

Technology opens a world of opportunities, according to president of MIT Technology Review and MITEF Kathleen Kennedy, referring to cases of innovative technologies applied in different areas of everyday life in transport, Internet, healthcare, water, finance, food, and more.

She added “technology can solve big problems, inspire people, give people economic opportunities, disrupt businesses and build new ones, and improve the world.”

B8ak, an application for home maintenance has won first place in the ‘Startups Track’ at Saudi Arabia’s first MIT Enterprise Forum competition.
They took home a prize of 100,000 Saudi riyals (around USD 26,000).
In total there were three winners out of 18 finalists.
Artistia, a social marketplace for designers took second place with 50,000 riyals (around $13,000) and rock – paper – scissors, a gaming educational initiative for children, won third place with 25,000 riyals (around $6,000).
Every Drop Counts, a project that helps companies and individuals measure and reduce their water consumption, won first place in the Ideas track and 20,000 riyals (around $5,000); Re Braille, an initiative aiming to help blind people type, took second place with 15,000 riyals (around $4,000) and Kool Snack for producing healthy products from natural ingredients, took third place and 10,000 riyals (around $2,500).
The final awards ceremony was held in Dar Hussein Jameel, Jeddah, on January 16.
“In addition to the size of the Saudi market, its strategic positioning and investment-friendly traits, the kingdom will be witnessing a new era that will activate the role of the private sector and enhance governmental performance,” said the Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors SAGIA, Abdullatif Al-Othman, in a press release.
All the finalists had the chance to attend StartSmart, a program produced by MIT Enterprise Forum, to offer workshops and programs that help participants acquire the needed skills to take their projects to the next level.
The event was sponsored by Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) and organized in partnership with Bab Rizq Jameel.

The program invited 20 local and international speakers, such as Kathleen Kennedy, president of MIT Technology Review and MIT Enterprise Forum; Tuba Terekli, CEO at Qotuf Al Riyadah; Raad Al-Saady, senior managing director at Abdul Latif Jameel, and Mudassir Sheikha from Careem. Among the topics discussed were how to empower entrepreneurship in the kingdom and a look back at worldwide tech trends in 2015.

MIT Enterprise Forum Saudi Arabia, the new chapter of the global network – MIT Enterprise Forum Global, in partnership with Bab Rizq Jameel – part of Community Jamee l– announced the names of 35 teams that made it to the semifinals of the MITEF Saudi Startup competition. The competition includes two tracks: the idea track and the startups track.

The sem-finalists were selected by a panel of 80 regional and Arab business experts and academics who evaluated 1,000 submitted forms against specific criteria including innovation, scalability, and positive social impact. The second arbitration round will be held on Jan. 9, to announce the 18 finalist teams, while the 6 winners from both tracks will be announced after the third arbitration round on Jan. 16.

The competition offers cash prizes of up to SR220,000, in addition to training courses and workshops provided by specialized training entities throughout the duration of the competition. Since the launch of the competition, MITEF Saudi Arabia has offered a rich program to prepare and motivate participants to start their small and medium enterprises.

The semifinalists also took part in workshops at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology on Dec. 18-19. The aim was to encourage and guide them, thus enhancing their chances of making it to the finals and winning the MITEF Saudi Startup competition.

Commenting on the competition, Hashem Daghestani, the MITEF Saudi Startup Competition Country Lead said: “Wide participation from across the Kingdom and the quality of the submitted projects and ideas added real value to the competition.

“The judges and the team have commended the passion and entrepreneurship spirit of the entrepreneurs, both men and women, in addition to the solutions they provided that cater for different market requirements of Saudi talents.

“The MITEF Saudi Startup Competition seeks to qualify the young and help them enter the world of business with their small and medium enterprises, armed with the knowledge and experience required to ensure the success of their innovative ideas and projects.”

Saudi-based entrepreneurs are set to obtain global experience and know-how through MITEF Global, as well as through MIT Technology Review, a media company wholly owned by MIT.

Finalists in the competition will also have the opportunity to take part in the Startsmart conference to be held on Jan. 16, where winners will be announced. Furthermore, the winners will be invited to participate in the 9th MITEF Arab Startup Competition.

MITEF Saudi Arabia is part of a global network of chapters dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide. The chapters inform, connect, and coach technology entrepreneurs – enabling them to rapidly transform ideas into world-changing companies.

Founded in 2015 with the goal of promoting and enriching the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, MITEF Saudi Arabia aims to celebrate and support all potential startups and entrepreneurs in the Kingdom through the Startups and Ideas Competition.

Running for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the MIT Enterprise Forum Saudi Arabia, the new chapter of the global network – MIT Enterprise Forum Global, in partnership with Bab Rizq Jameel (BRJ), part of Community Jameel, is accepting applications for the MITEF Saudi Competition. The competition focuses on attracting high potential social and business startups and ideas in all social and business fields. The deadline for submitting applications is Nov. 15, 2015. Entrepreneurs of all ages, and across a range of industries, can apply to one of two available tracks: Ideas and Startups. To be considered, the project submitted must be innovative, have the potential for scalability, and must have a positive impact on the community. Teams must consist of at least two members and include at least one Saudi national. Commenting on the competition, Hashem Daghestani, The MITEF Saudi Arabia Competition Country Lead, said: “Saudi-based entrepreneurs will receive local and international exposure and recognition through MIT Enterprise Forum Global, as well as through MIT Technology Review, a media company wholly owned by MIT. “The finalists of the MITEF Saudi Arabia Competition will have the opportunity to participate at the Startsmart conference, which will be held on Jan. 16, 2016, and where winners will be announced. Furthermore, as a part of the MITEF Pan Arab Region, these winners will be invited to participate in the 9th MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition.” SR220,000 worth of cash prizes are at stake, in addition to workshops and mentor assistance throughout the competition. MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Saudi Arabia is part of a global network of chapters dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide. The chapters inform, connect, and coach technology entrepreneurs — enabling them to rapidly transform ideas into world-changing companies. Founded in 2015 with the goal of promoting and enriching the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, MITEF Saudi Arabia aims to celebrate and support all potential startups and entrepreneurs in the Kingdom through the Startups and Ideas Competition. Entrepreneurs are invited to apply to the competition for their chance to gain access to invaluable mentorship, mingle with high-profile global and regional speakers, meet future partners, or win a cash prize. For more information, visit https://mitefsaudi.org/.