In a major move to connect its burgeoning startup scene with global markets, the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has announced a strategic partnership for its new innovation hub, Eleventh Station. The agreement, signed with France’s renowned Station F and HEC Paris, will launch a program designed to help Omani startups expand into French and European markets. The deal was one of 12 agreements finalized during Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s official visit to France.
Quick Facts
- New hub founded by Oman Investment Authority.
- Partnership with France’s Station F and HEC Paris.
- Launches European expansion program for 10 Omani startups.
A New Hub for Omani Innovation
Eleventh Station, founded by the OIA through the Oman Future Fund in partnership with the private sector, is designed as a central hub for the country’s tech ecosystem. The center aims to connect startups, corporations, investors, government bodies, and universities to develop, test, and scale innovative tech solutions for regional and global markets.
Operating as a neutral platform, the hub will focus on four key functions: matching government and corporate demand with startup solutions, providing specialized innovation facilities across a 5,000-square-meter space, running incubation and acceleration programs, and enabling access to international markets, talent, and capital.
Services offered will include co-working spaces, private offices, accelerator programs, mentorship, and access to investors and venture capital, all while fostering a community through networking events.
Forging a Path to Europe
The new European expansion program is the first major initiative announced under the partnership. The four-month program will give 10 selected Omani startups a comprehensive international experience, starting with a one-month remote preparatory phase of workshops and training.
Following the remote stage, the cohort will spend three months on-site at the Station F campus in Paris for an immersive experience focused on market validation, mentorship, and networking. Participants will get dedicated workspace, support from a specialized program team, mentorship sessions with industry experts, and full access to the extensive resources and international networks of both Station F and HEC Paris.
About Eleventh Station
Eleventh Station is an innovation hub established by the Oman Investment Authority to create an integrated ecosystem for startups in Oman. It connects entrepreneurs with corporations, investors, and government entities to foster the development and scaling of new technologies. The hub provides workspace, acceleration programs, and global market access to support the growth of Omani startups.
Source: Atheer
