Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha’at, has concluded its strategic participation in the Slush conference in Helsinki, Finland. The authority led a delegation of four high-growth Saudi startups, identified as having unicorn potential and readiness for international expansion, to the prominent European tech event. This initiative aims to enhance the presence of Saudi companies within global innovation ecosystems and connect the Kingdom’s entrepreneurs with international investors and strategic partners.
Fostering Global Connections at Slush
The Monsha’at delegation was actively engaged in the Slush conference, held at the Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The startups also participated in a key side event organized by the Saudi Digital Economy ecosystem in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National Information Technology Development Program (NITDP). The event was designed to spotlight Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tech landscape and facilitate knowledge exchange between Saudi founders and their global peers.
This participation is part of a broader strategy to support the international growth of Saudi startups, following a similar presence at Web Summit in Lisbon. Monsha’at emphasized that showcasing Saudi companies on global innovation platforms is a pivotal step in bolstering their competitiveness, attracting foreign investment, and accelerating their entry into international markets.
Exploring Finland’s Innovation Hub
To provide the delegation with deeper insights into a mature startup ecosystem, Monsha’at organized a specialized tour of Helsinki’s entrepreneurial landscape. The tour included a visit to Aalto University, where the founders explored “A-Grid”—one of Finland’s largest startup communities—and the “Design Factory.”
This immersive experience offered a firsthand look at Finland’s successful models for integrating universities with innovation, developing prototypes, and fostering a robust entrepreneurial culture. The tour enabled the Saudi entrepreneurs to learn from global best practices and build direct relationships with leaders in the Finnish tech ecosystem.
Building Strategic European Partnerships
In a move to create tangible business opportunities, Monsha’at held a series of meetings with Finland Business, the country’s trade promotion organization. Discussions centered on exploring collaboration opportunities between Saudi and Finnish companies, identifying pathways for expansion into the broader European market, and establishing partnerships in key technology and innovation sectors.
By facilitating access to international networks of investors and experts, Monsha’at is working to enhance the growth and sustainability of Saudi startups. These efforts are directly aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based economy and elevate the global presence of the Kingdom’s national companies.
About Monsha’at
The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) was established in 2016 to regulate, support, and develop the SME sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authority works to increase the productivity of SMEs and raise their contribution to the GDP from 20% to 35% by 2030 by implementing and supporting programs that promote a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Source: Osoul Misr Magazine
