The Biban 2024 Forum, organized by Saudi Arabia's Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monshaat), wrapped up in Riyadh with record-breaking results — agreements and initiatives exceeding SR35.4 billion ($9.4 billion), underscoring the Kingdom's growing status as a global hub for entrepreneurship.
Biban 2024 in Saudi Arabia: Record Agreements and Initiatives
Held under the theme "Global Destination for Opportunities," the five-day forum ran from November 5 to 9 in Riyadh. It attracted more than 182,000 visitors and featured over 300 panel discussions and workshops, with more than 250 local and international speakers participating.
Monshaat Governor Sami Alhussaini said: "Biban24 achieved great success this year. We witnessed record agreements and the introduction of many innovative initiatives that support entrepreneurship in the Kingdom."
He added: "We are proud of the announcements for financing portfolios and strategic partnerships with prominent local and international entities."
Topics Covered at the Forum
The Biban 2024 Forum brought together thought leaders and industry experts to discuss a broad range of sectors critical to Saudi Arabia's development goals, including:
- Media - Tourism - Environment - Education - Sports - Finance - Investment
Startups, Investors, and Key Outcomes
The forum's interactive environment enabled entrepreneurs to share success stories and challenges. Around 115 entrepreneurs participated in the Investors Arena, presenting their projects to potential backers. This resulted in preliminary agreements for investors to sign deals with 65 companies worth more than SR15 million ($4 million).
More than 1,300 startups from 72 countries participated in the event. The forum also celebrated the graduation of 12 startups from the Real Estate Innovation Accelerator and launched a virtual lab to further support entrepreneurs across the region.
Supporting Saudi Vision 2030
The Biban 2024 Forum's outcomes align directly with Saudi Vision 2030's objective to expand the SME sector's contribution to the national economy. The scale of agreements and international participation signals growing confidence in Saudi Arabia's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
