Saudi Arabia has kicked off Biban 2025, the Middle East’s largest entrepreneurial event, today at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, where the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2025 finals are also being held. Organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at), the four-day forum runs from 5 to 8 November under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunity.”
Now in its 11th edition, Biban 2025 has drawn a global audience from more than 150 countries, featuring 200 local and international speakers and 150 enabling entities from both government and private sectors. The event is expected to see the announcement of several billion-dollar agreements and initiatives, reaffirming its position as the region’s most influential platform for startups and SMEs.
Among the highlights of this year’s forum is the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2025, where six Saudi startups are competing in the global finals after qualifying through rigorous national and international rounds. They are part of the top 100 companies representing 47 countries, selected from over 10,300 applicants spanning 169 nations, vying for prizes exceeding $1.5 million. Their participation underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing global influence in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship and reflects the strength of its dynamic investment ecosystem.
The six Saudi finalists represent the diversity and ingenuity of the Kingdom’s startup landscape. They include ADADK, specialising in the water supply sector; Expanse Cosmos, advancing the new space economy; SARsatX, focused on space technology; EcoPallets, transforming palm fronds into sustainable shipping pallets; Thrivve, offering fintech and mobility solutions; and iRAMA, pioneering hydroponic farming technologies.
Biban 2025 serves as a vital platform for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and global experts to connect, collaborate, and explore high-value opportunities. Over the course of the event, attendees will gain insights from more than 85 specialised workshops led by top experts, covering areas such as finance, investment, management, marketing, digital transformation, and international expansion.
The forum features seven dedicated sections addressing key needs of entrepreneurs and SMEs, including financing, franchising, e-commerce, and market access. By facilitating strategic partnerships and practical knowledge-sharing, Biban 2025 aims to accelerate the growth of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Building on the success of its previous editions, the event continues to empower small and medium-sized enterprises to scale locally and globally. Hosting the EWC finals within Biban 2025 reinforces Saudi Arabia’s leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship, while positioning the Kingdom as a global destination for startups, investors, and pioneering ideas.
The event aligns closely with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the Kingdom’s drive to diversify its economy, enhance innovation, and establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global hub for opportunity and sustainable growth.