Fifteen Saudi women entrepreneurs have entered a five-day intensive training program as part of the second phase of the “Ahleena and Sayidaty Award,” a joint initiative by AlAhli Bank and Sayidaty magazine. The program, which began on July 22, aims to equip founders with the essential skills to build successful startups, directly supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of empowering women and diversifying the national economy.
Quick Facts
- 15 Saudi female entrepreneurs selected for training.
- Projects span AI, tourism tech, and cleantech.
- SAR 300,000 in cash prizes for three winners.
Fostering a New Wave of Tech Startups
The selected projects cover a diverse range of high-growth sectors, signaling a new direction for female-led ventures in the Kingdom. Ideas presented to the judging panel, which includes economic and market experts, feature an AI and robotics project to assist the visually impaired, a digital platform for tourism and event venues, and an eco-friendly device that cleans cars using steam.
Other notable concepts include an application for digitizing beauty salon services and a platform designed to transform school curricula into engaging, science fiction-based learning experiences. The innovative scope of these ideas highlights the increasing participation of women in Saudi Arabia’s tech scene.
Structured Training for Market Readiness
The five-day program is designed to provide participants with a practical foundation for launching their businesses. Led by industry specialists, the training focuses on critical startup procedures, including conducting feasibility studies, creating financial budgets, and developing detailed business plans.
A significant component of the curriculum is dedicated to refining personal skills essential for any founder. This includes intensive coaching on how to effectively pitch ideas, communicate value propositions, and present financial projections to potential investors and stakeholders. Upon completion, a judging committee will evaluate the refined projects to select the top three founders.
A Partnership Driving Economic Impact
The “Ahleena and Sayidaty Award” was established to address a key challenge for early-stage founders: access to initial funding. The partnership between AlAhli Bank and Sayidaty magazine aims to identify and support Saudi women with strong business concepts who lack the capital to get started.
The initiative has allocated cash prizes for the top three ventures. The first-place winner will receive SAR 150,000, the second-place winner will be awarded SAR 100,000, and the third-place winner will receive SAR 75,000. This direct financial support is intended to accelerate the growth of women-led enterprises and their contribution to the country’s economic development.
About the Ahleena and Sayidaty Award
The Ahleena and Sayidaty Award is a collaborative initiative between AlAhli Bank and Sayidaty magazine. It is designed to support and finance promising Saudi female entrepreneurs who possess innovative business ideas but lack funding. The award aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance women’s role in the economy and foster a dynamic startup ecosystem.
Source: Sabq
