Riyad 26, the entrepreneurship forum in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region, has concluded after four days of workshops, panel discussions, programmes and supporting activities.
The event brought together more than 95 government, private-sector and financing organisations, alongside entrepreneurs and innovators. It also featured support organisations’ booths, advisory programmes and initiatives targeting people with business ideas and early-stage projects.
A related hackathon involved 47 teams presenting 127 projects focused on government innovation, digital services, smart-city technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainability and women’s empowerment. Participants developed ideas and prototypes through mentoring and workshops before presenting their projects to evaluation committees, creating opportunities to connect with supporting organisations and investors.
The forum also provided services for new businesses, including delivery, shipping and packaging, customs clearance, legal advice and supply-chain support. The Qassim Chamber offered training sessions, workshops and free consultations for entrepreneurs.
According to the announcement, the forum’s organisers said its impact should be measured not only by attendance, but also by the relationships, guidance, financing opportunities and connections with enabling organisations created during the event.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
