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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 1/9/ 2025: In a step to boost Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, the StartSmart Hub announced the launch of the 9th edition of the “Start Smart Competition”, supported by Community Jameel Foundation. The competition aims to empower entrepreneurs to transform their innovative ideas into promising AI-driven tech startups through a comprehensive program offering training, mentorship, guidance, networking opportunities, and financial incentives.

The StartSmart Competition was first launched in 2016 under its former name, the “MIT Enterprise Forum Saudi Arabia”; Now in its ninth edition, the competition targets Saudi entrepreneurs with innovative early-stage ideas in technology and artificial intelligence. The program targets applicants from across the Kingdom, from which the top 40 entrepreneurial ideas will be selected to join an intensive two-month training program. The program will focus on product development, prototype building, and providing integrated support for go-to-market strategies, growth, marketing, operations, and financial management.

The training program is designed to develop ideas into viable business models while ensuring full readiness for pitching to investors at the final Demo Day. Each entrepreneur will also benefit from specialized one-on-one mentorship tailored to their needs, through a wide network of mentors and industry experts. In addition, cash prizes totaling SAR 100,000 will be awarded to the top three entrepreneurial ideas to help them enter the market and further grow their ventures.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. May Taibah, Board Member of Community Jameel Foundation, stated: “The ninth edition of the competition reflects the commitment of the StartSmart Hub to advancing economic development and contributing to the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Through its various programs, the Hub aims to increase the contribution of SMEs to the national economy, foster digital transformation, and create high-value economic opportunities for Saudi youth.”

Mr. Mohammed Abdulghaffar, Senior General Manager of Social Initiatives & Entrepreneurship at Community Jameel Foundation, added: “We are delighted to launch StartSmart Competition 2025, a further step in our mission to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports innovation and expands opportunities for Saudi youth in tech entrepreneurship. This competition is not only a mere training program, but rather a comprehensive platform designed to build startups capable of competing both locally and internationally, in alignment with the aspirations and objectives of Vision 2030.”

Registration for the “StartSmart Competition” is now open for all Saudi entrepreneurs with innovative AI-based ideas until November 13, 2025. Applications and program details can be found via the following link: https://competition.startsmartsaudi.com/