The Start Smart Investment Forum 2026 brought together over 100 startups and 100 investors in Riyadh, aiming to connect entrepreneurs with funding opportunities and enhance the deep technology ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. The forum was organized by Community Jameel Saudi Arabia in strategic partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, held at The Garage Innovation and Acceleration Center, attracting more than 1,000 visitors.
The event featured participation from 107 startups specializing in deep technology, along with seven key stakeholders from the ecosystem, over 24 speakers from inside and outside the Kingdom, and the signing of 12 cooperation agreements. Among the attendees were Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Al-Dosouqi, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Dr. Nabil Koshk, CEO of Saudi Venture Capital Company, and Dr. Khalid Al-Dukan, Senior Vice President of Innovation at KACST, alongside leaders from Community Jameel and Abdul Latif Jameel.
Event Highlights
The forum focused on high-growth deep technology sectors that support Saudi Arabia's transition to a knowledge-based economy, including artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, digital health, smart cities, and infrastructure. This initiative aligns with national priorities in digital transformation and innovation, as well as efforts to attract global investment and accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies.
Over the course of two days, the forum hosted panel discussions, expert sessions, and face-to-face meetings between investors and startup founders, aiming to facilitate partnerships and provide funding opportunities. Hussein Jameel, Director of Entrepreneurship Relations at Abdul Latif Jameel Financing, emphasized that the forum represents a strategic platform supporting Saudi Arabia's vision to build a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and advanced technologies.
Background & Context
Saudi Arabia is considered one of the leading countries in the region in terms of innovation and technology, striving to achieve Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of startups in the Kingdom, reflecting a strong desire to enhance the entrepreneurial environment.
Deep technology is a vital area that can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, as innovations in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics improve quality of life and provide effective solutions to contemporary challenges.
Impact & Consequences
The success of the Start Smart 2026 Forum reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing the entrepreneurial environment and attracting foreign investments. It also represents an important step towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030, contributing to the development of a robust ecosystem that supports innovation and enhances the capacity of startups to grow and expand.
The importance of such events is increasing amid global competition to attract investments in technology sectors, positioning Saudi Arabia in a unique position to capitalize on available opportunities in the global market.
Regional Significance
Saudi Arabia's experience in organizing the Start Smart 2026 Forum serves as a model for other Arab countries, as it can contribute to enhancing collaboration between startups and investors in the region. These initiatives reflect the importance of innovation as a means to achieve economic and social development.
In conclusion, the Start Smart 2026 Forum represents an important step towards enhancing the entrepreneurial environment in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to achieving sustainable development through innovation and technology.