Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) concluded the activities of the Biban 2025 Forum, which it organized over four days under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” with total agreements and initiatives exceeding SAR 38 billion, and more than 100,000 visitors in attendance.
On the fourth and final day, the forum witnessed the signing of four cooperation agreements and the launch of new projects and initiatives with a total value nearing SAR 8.1 billion, in a move aimed at supporting entrepreneurship and fostering the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Monsha’at signed three financing cooperation agreements with leading companies in the financing sector to expand access to easy and flexible funding solutions for entrepreneurs and MSMEs. These included an agreement with Lendo to provide a financing portfolio worth SAR 6 billion, another with Tamweel Aloula to allocate SAR 1.2 billion, and a third with Taajeer Finance to offer SAR 500 million, thereby diversifying financial instruments and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses.
In addition, Monsha’at signed a cooperation agreement with Princess Alanood Foundation to support and empower entrepreneurs across the Kingdom by incubating selected founders and helping them develop and scale their ventures in the market.
During the same day, Monsha’at—represented by its Innovation Center—announced the launch and opening of registration for the 11th cohort of the “Innovation Pioneers” program. The authority also honored the top five entrepreneurial universities in the Kingdom, based on the outcomes of the “Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Universities” initiative. Furthermore, awards were presented to the winning companies of the ‘University Entrepreneurs’ Competition, the champions of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, and the leading financial entities supporting MSMEs in 2024.
The first day of Biban 2025 saw the signing of 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding, alongside the launch of multiple entrepreneurial and financial initiatives with a total value exceeding SAR 22.3 billion. These efforts aim to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship.
On the second day, Monsha’at signed 22 additional agreements and MoUs and launched five enabling initiatives, reflecting the commitment of various entities to fostering entrepreneurship and empowering small and medium enterprises.
On the third day, Monsha’at concluded 11 agreements and MoUs and launched seven new initiatives with a combined value exceeding SAR 7.6 billion, consisting primarily of financing portfolios to support entrepreneurial projects and the SME sector.
At the international level, the forum included the signing of several global cooperation agreements with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, the National Innovation Agency of Thailand, Enterprise Singapore, Invest India, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), the Swedish Trade and Investment Council, and Business France.
Across its three stages, Biban 2025 hosted over 200 local and international speakers who discussed a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, space, sustainability, entrepreneurship, finance, technology, and supply chains. The four-day event attracted a large gathering of entrepreneurs from around the world and featured more than 80 workshops, 2,150 consulting sessions, and 1,000 mentorship sessions.
The E-Commerce Door recorded exceptional engagement with over 36,000 visitors and participants, underscoring the growing demand for digital solutions and technological innovations in e-commerce, as well as its vital role in advancing the business ecosystem and enabling entrepreneurs under the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Investment deals at the Investor Arena reached a total of SAR 22.2 million, benefiting 55 startups over the four days of the event. In total, more than 1,021 startups from 66 countries participated in the forum.
The Biban Forum is one of the largest entrepreneurship platforms in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, organized by Monsha’at to empower entrepreneurs, support MSMEs, and enhance the competitiveness of the national economy. Since its inception, Biban has served as a key meeting point uniting entrepreneurs, investors, decision-makers, and enablers under one roof, through a comprehensive ecosystem of “doors” and programs that cover every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, from foundation to growth and expansion.