Saudi Arabia's "Tech Champions" programme concludes, honouring distinguished digital projects
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia has successfully concluded on July 22, 2020, the activities of the “Tech Champions” programme, featuring 10 projects that were distinguished from a total of 50 participating projects. The startups had been through a journey full of activities organized during the past few months, which targeted several vital and important sectors, including health, sports and entertainment, smart cities, e-commerce, and Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimage).
The programme sought to contribute to finding out digital business solutions with a view to meeting the Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's position as a leading digital hub through enhancing the economic contribution of technology SMEs, thus contributing to the digital transformation and realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The projects involved in Tech Champions:
Artal Group, Evaluation Sitting, Quality Safety Food, Fans of Soccer, Jalissah, ICUBM, stores map, Khayat, AVA, As is market, Kaples, ULINK, Kayan, Kadir, Muhameek, Chill Learn, Wings, Raqeeb, Packtale, Recognition of speech disorder, Sawaeed alsehaa, Alwa app, Supplement device, Liven, e-tifo, TAQ IT, Jeyad, Table Knight Games, Safe knife holder, SMRP, Integrated Vision, Guide Yourself, Uparking, Unlimited talents, Anatomical, Saon, EVE, Aeen alkotob, Murshdk, MedChains, Nawwart, Hao, SV, ASEHAA, Quix, Mawidy, Observer, ARSA, Albalad alameen, Dentist+
With the aim of developing high-quality entrepreneurs, the programme has provided a package of technical services, funding, training, and business support along with the participation and support of 43 selected partners from different sectors. The program has provided entrepreneurs with more than 13 thousand hours of mentoring and training sessions where it supported 130 entrepreneurs. Moreover, the participating startups have contributed to creating more than 100 new jobs and generated more than 3M SAR with approximately 324 thousand existing customers.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) will be awarding the top 10 startups in a virtual (online) ceremony on August 12, 2020 where startups will be demonstrating their solutions in a virtual event. The event will be open for the public to attend, with participation of several government agencies, private sector entities, accelerators, incubators, as well as venture capitals and investors.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister for the digital capacities development Dr. Ahmad Al-Thenayyan stated that the program represents a strategic initiative aimed at removing the obstacles and challenges facing the target sectors, which are addressed through leveraging of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and other technologies. He noted that the programme also seeks to introduce the importance of keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the development and advancement of businesses and is proud of introducing the newly established startups where they will be adding much value to the economy.
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is exerting continuous efforts to achieve its strategic orientations emanating from the Vision 2030, which aims at building a digital society, a digital government and a thriving digital economy based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
July 2020 has seen a 45% drop in the number of deals, but total funding has increased by 72% when compared to the same month last year. Discover more trends and insights in our July 2020 Dashboard.