#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Biban Forum #Entrepreneurship World Cup

Biban Forum 2025: A Global Stage for Startups

Riyadh is preparing to host an exceptional event as it welcomes the third annual Biban Forum 2025, centering around the Global Finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC). This year promises to be particularly significant as the forum aims to connect over 140,000 visitors, more than 1,000 exhibitors, and feature 22 renowned speakers—all gathered to advance entrepreneurship and innovation not just within Saudi Arabia, but across the globe.

The Biban Forum, an essential platform for nurturing entrepreneurial spirit, serves a dual purpose: it fosters dialogue and collaboration among various stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. This year's edition underscores the commitment to creating a vibrant environment for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ensuring a lively exchange of ideas and strategies.

Supported by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MISK) and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), the EWC has emerged as the largest startup competition worldwide since its inception, drawing interest from over 420,000 entrepreneurs representing 191 countries. This year, the competition saw a remarkable surge with an astonishing 10,300 startups from 169 nations applying—a figure that more than doubles last year's entries. The startups come from diverse sectors, reflecting the exciting potential within the global entrepreneurial landscape.

Among these, the top 100 startups will descend upon Riyadh to showcase their unique business models and compete for an impressive prize pool exceeding $1.5 million in cash. Beyond financial backing, the participants will also access invaluable opportunities for strategic partnerships and investments through collaborations with more than 64 global partners.

The essence of Biban has always been to inspire and empower founders, helping them translate innovative ideas into reality. The hosting of the EWC finals aligns perfectly with this mission, reinforcing Riyadh's reputation as a burgeoning hub for startups and scale-ups. The Vice Governor of Entrepreneurship at Monsha'at, Saud Al-Sabhan, remarked on the previous success stories resulting from past EWC editions: “We’ve seen founders secure investment, expand internationally, and introduce game-changing solutions to the market. Our endeavors, along with our partnerships, are instrumental in turning ambitious concepts into feasible ventures.”

This grand event is strategically aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, further highlighting Monsha'at's commitment to nurturing a robust startup ecosystem that promotes job creation and sustained economic growth across the Kingdom. The Biban Forum embodies a forward-thinking approach, celebrating entrepreneurship as a vital engine of economic dynamism within Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The EWC offers a unique platform for participants not only to compete but also to learn from seasoned industry leaders and peers alike. Expected to attract significant media attention, the forum provides startups a chance to pitch their ideas and initiatives to a broader audience, gaining exposure and networking opportunities that could propel their ventures.

Riyadh stands poised at the center of this global entrepreneurial movement, as the Biban Forum presents an unmissable occasion for all involved. With excitement building, startups are gearing up to present their innovations, and stakeholders are eager to discover the future of entrepreneurship unfolding at this pivotal event. The momentum generated by the Biban Forum signifies a promising future for innovation and collaboration in the Kingdom, setting the stage for the next generation of entrepreneurs to thrive.

Join us as we witness the convergence of creativity, ambition, and opportunity at the Biban Forum 2025 and the Global Finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup.