The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha’at, has concluded its flagship Biban 2025 forum in Riyadh, marking a monumental success with over SAR 38 billion (approximately $10 billion) in agreements and funding initiatives. The four-day event, held under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” attracted over 100,000 visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s growing position as a central hub for entrepreneurship in the region.
A Landmark Event for the Kingdom’s SME Sector
Biban 2025 served as a powerful platform for the region’s startup ecosystem, bringing together key stakeholders to foster innovation and growth. The event featured participation from over 1,021 startups from 66 countries, alongside more than 200 local and international speakers who led discussions on critical topics such as artificial intelligence, space technology, sustainability, and supply chain finance.
The forum’s agenda was packed with over 80 workshops, 2,150 advisory sessions, and 1,000 mentorship sessions, providing invaluable resources for entrepreneurs. The e-commerce section alone attracted over 36,000 visitors, highlighting the rapid digital transformation sweeping the nation’s business landscape.
Driving Growth Through Strategic Funding
A significant portion of the total value came from strategic funding agreements aimed at expanding financing options for SMEs. On the final day, Monsha’at signed four new cooperation agreements valued at nearly SAR 8.1 billion.
These included a SAR 6 billion portfolio partnership with Lendo, a SAR 1.2 billion allocation with Tamweel AlOula, and a SAR 500 million agreement with Taajeer Finance. An additional agreement was signed with the Princess Al-Anoud Charitable Foundation to support and incubate entrepreneurial projects across the Kingdom.
Fostering International Collaboration
Underscoring its global theme, Biban 2025 saw the signing of several international agreements to bolster cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship. Partnerships were established with prominent global bodies, including the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, Thailand’s National Innovation Agency, and similar business development agencies from Singapore, India, South Korea, Sweden, and France.
Spotlighting Emerging Startups
Direct investment into early-stage companies was a key feature of the event. The “Investor’s Ring” segment facilitated significant deal flow, resulting in investment deals worth SAR 22.2 million for 55 participating startups.
The forum also celebrated ecosystem achievements, honoring the top five entrepreneurial universities in the Kingdom, winners of the University Entrepreneurs competition, and the leading financing entities supporting SMEs in 2024. Monsha’at also announced the opening of registration for the 11th cohort of its “Innovation Pioneers” program.
About Biban
Biban is one of the largest entrepreneurship forums in the MENA region, organized annually by Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at). The event serves as a pivotal platform connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to exchange knowledge, explore innovations, and forge partnerships. It plays a crucial role in developing the business ecosystem and empowering SMEs in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: CNN Business Arabic
