Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, Monsha’at, has launched a five-day tour in Silicon Valley, California, for six of the Kingdom’s fast-growing startups. This initiative is designed to foster potential unicorn companies by providing them with crucial exposure and support for international expansion.
Bridging Ecosystems in Silicon Valley
The tour began with a series of four intensive sessions and workshops featuring prominent figures from the venture capital and startup world. Participants engaged with experts such as Dr. Andrej Kunov, Founder and President of the Silicon Valley Innovation Center; Ilya Gurevich, Partner at Botan Investments; Tara Capsuto, Partner at Cooley LLP; and Srijith Mohan from Stanford University’s StartX ecosystem.
These sessions were tailored to help the six Saudi companies refine their business plans, strengthen their expansion strategies, and build international networks essential for growth and development. The agenda also included preparations for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO) journey.
Stanford and Unicorn Connections
The delegation’s first day included a visit to Stanford University, renowned for its pivotal role as an incubator for startups and a major driver of innovation in the region. The university’s research and alumni have been instrumental in the founding of numerous major technology companies.
The day’s activities culminated in a dinner reception, providing an exclusive networking opportunity for the Saudi entrepreneurs to connect with an elite group of founders and leaders from some of the world’s most successful unicorn companies. This tour is part of a broader series of international engagements by Monsha’at aimed at spotlighting promising Saudi companies and enabling founders to expand their professional networks on a global scale.
About Monsha’at
Established in 2016, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) is a leading Saudi government entity dedicated to empowering and developing the SME sector in the Kingdom. As the executive and strategic arm for SME growth, Monsha’at works to create a stimulating business environment by removing obstacles, facilitating access to finance through partnerships, and providing training and capacity-building programs for entrepreneurs. The authority also oversees a network of business incubators and accelerators, aiming to increase the SME sector’s contribution to the national GDP in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: Rowadalaamal
