MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF), in strategic partnership with Bab Rizq Jameel, the Community Jameel initiative, has announced a new collaboration with Saudi Arabian mobile and data services operator Zain ahead of the second annual MITEF Saudi Arabia Startup competition. 

Zain’s support of the Startup competition is part of the company’s strategic objective to promote young businessmen and women across Saudi Arabia. Zain has recognised that the work by MITEF Saudi and Bab Rizq Jameel is a vital contributor to creating and encouraging innovative business and social concepts – the primary focus of the MITEF Saudi chapter and the MITEF Saudi Startup competition as a whole.

Hassan Kabbani, CEO of Zain Saudi Arabia, said: “We are very proud of Zain’s participation in this event, organised and implemented by MITEF and Bab Rizq Jameel. 

“It is clear that the MITEF Saudi Arabia competition inspires the next generation of Saudi entrepreneurs and we are committed to help support the competition’s continued and sustainable growth throughout Saudi Arabia. There are increasing numbers of ambitious young entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia and together with our new partners we wish to see them thrive and bring forward yet more new and innovative ideas. We wish everyone involved in this year’s competition great success.”

Fadi Jameel, president of international Community Jameel initiatives, commented: “We are happy to develop all strategic partnerships supporting entrepreneurs and creative people. Through our work alongside MITEF we can bridge the gap between the supporting sectors and Saudi entrepreneurs.

“The role played by private sector companies and Government entities is pivotal in accelerating development in this sector, as the entrepreneurial environment needs all stakeholders in order to expand and continue.”

The collaborative nature of a competition such as this needs a large number of established stakeholders to make the most of these young entrepreneurs’ ideas. Key partners whose work and support is vital to the continued success of the MITEF Saudi Arabia Startup competition include the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (government), MITEF Pan Arab (regional), MIT Tech magazine (media), Wadi Makkah (innovation), King Khaled Foundation (social entrepreneurship) Sedco Holding (financial awareness) Badir Program for Technology Incubators (technology incubator), Aramco Centre for Entrepreneurship (promising), and Saudi Investment Bank (investment). Other supporting partners include Microsoft, Oracle, Kaust, Olow, Qotuf Alriyadah, and Al Mosaedon Company. 

MITEF Saudi Arabia is part of a global network dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation and offers opportunities and vital training for entrepreneurs in technological enterprises.

The Saudi Arabian branch of MITEF was established in 2015, with a view to promoting and enriching entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through three categories of competition: emerging businesses, ideas, and social projects. Budding entrepreneurs who enter MITEF Saudi Startup can receive valuable guidance and get to know high-level speakers from the region and the world, in addition to meeting potential partners or winning one of the cash prizes. 

The second edition of the MITEF Saudi Startup competition is under way and submissions will be accepted until January 4, with the winners announced on March 11, 2017. For more information, please visit www.mitefsaudi.org