In a significant move to bolster its innovation capabilities from within, the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has announced the launch of “Innovate with NBK,” the first intrapreneurship program of its kind in Kuwait. The initiative is being rolled out in collaboration with Plug and Play, the world’s largest global in
ovation platform, underscoring NBK’s commitment to embedding innovation at the core of its operations.
The program is designed to unlock the creative potential of NBK’s workforce, empowering employees to become key drivers of change. Through intensive training, mentorship, and exposure to global innovation frameworks, participants will gain hands-on experience in design thinking, artificial intelligence, and rapid prototyping, equipping them with the skills to transform their ideas into impactful banking solutions.
Fostering Intrapreneurship Within Banking
Following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by Plug and Play, 50 employees were selected to join the inaugural cohort. Over a six-month period, these participants will work in cross-functional teams to develop solutions for real-world challenges facing the bank’s customers and internal operations.
The most promising concepts developed through the program will be piloted across the NBK Group. As a key incentive, the winning team will earn a trip to Silicon Valley to engage directly with Plug and Play’s innovation ecosystem and present their projects to global technology and financial industry leaders.
A Commitment to Internal Talent Development
This initiative reflects NBK’s belief that empowering its own talent is crucial for driving sustainable growth and maintaining its leadership position in a rapidly evolving financial sector.
Emad Al-Ablani, Head of Group Human Resources at NBK, stated, “The ‘Innovate with NBK’ program reflects our conviction at NBK that the best innovations come from within the organization itself. This initiative confirms NBK’s commitment to supporting its employees, as they are the primary engine of change and development. By linking ideas to execution, the program will provide our teams with the tools needed to turn their bold ideas into tangible solutions that make a real difference in the customer experience.”
Dr. Philipp Gneiting, Managing Partner at Plug and Play, commented on the partnership, “Through ‘Innovate with NBK,’ we aim to empower employees to think like entrepreneurs, be bold enough to experiment, and spark transformation from within. This program embodies NBK’s commitment to shaping the future of banking by encouraging creativity, collaboration, and a forward-thinking leadership spirit, and we look forward to connecting Kuwait’s top talent with our global innovation network.”
About National Bank of Kuwait (NBK)
Established in 1952, the National Bank of Kuwait is the largest financial institution in Kuwait and one of the most prominent banks in the region. As the first local bank and the first shareholding company in the GCC, NBK has grown to operate across the GCC, Europe, Asia, and the United States, with a network of over 138 branches in 13 countries. The bank is recognized for its financial strength, sound governance, and continuous innovation.
About Plug and Play
Plug and Play is a leading global innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, it has a network of over 60 locations across five continents. The platform offers corporate innovation programs and runs accelerator programs, while its in-house VC invests in a wide range of industries. Its portfolio includes successful companies such as Dropbox, PayPal, Lending Club, and N26.
Source: Zawya
