Saudi startups join regional accelerator to boost social impact

Munif Al-Otaibi, head of business banking and SME, SABB.
Updated 22 October 2019
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Saudi startups join regional accelerator to boost social impact

SABB has joined partner bank HSBC to open the regional “C3 Social Impact Accelerator” to Saudi startups for the first time. The program is the region’s flagship accelerator program offering training and investment opportunities for startups making a positive social impact. 

The C3 Social Impact Accelerator program helps social entrepreneurs achieve financial sustainability and solve major social challenges at scale. Launched as a pilot last year between HSBC and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3), the bank reached out to its local partner SABB to help extend the program to Saudi entrepreneurs. As well as encouraging its own startup customers to take part, SABB helped set up a session for entrepreneurs to prepare their entries for the program at Monshaat, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, on Oct. 22. 

Munif Al-Otaibi, head of business banking and SME, SABB, said: “We’re delighted to help extend the C3 Social Impact Accelerator to Saudi entrepreneurs. As one of the biggest supporters of Saudi enterprise, we want to do all we can to help new businesses get off to a good start and contribute to a more diverse and sustainable economy. Our sincere thanks to Monshaat for their support in helping Saudi entrepreneurs take this opportunity to make a bigger social impact.” 

This year, C3 and HSBC are expanding the program to eight countries in MENAT. A total of 40 semifinalists from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Algeria and Turkey will be selected from hundreds of applicants to receive one-on-one expert support. To be eligible, applicants must be revenue-generating and must contribute to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Applications are open until Oct. 31.

Following a rigorous selection process, 20 applicants will be invited to participate in a week-long program in March, 2020 in Dubai for an opportunity to connect with impact investors, international trainers and key stakeholders from the social enterprise world. Finalists will also undergo board meeting simulations and work on their pitch decks for a chance to win an equity-free cash prize of $10,000. 

Last year’s winner Dr. Rasha Rady, co-founder and COO of Chefaa, an Egyptian based e-health startup, said: “Joining C3 was one of our most important milestones yet. It helped us express our impact in a precise and measurable way. We are now able to better communicate with investors and that has boosted our growth significantly.” Chefaa recently closed a six-figure seed funding round. 


Magrabi Health celebrates 70 years with eye on future

Updated 11 May 2025
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Magrabi Health celebrates 70 years with eye on future

Magrabi Health marked its 70th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of pioneering medical innovation, regional leadership, and a steadfast commitment to patient-centric care across the Middle East.

The milestone honors the vision of the late Dr. Amin El-Maghraby, Saudi Arabia’s first ophthalmologist, who founded the region’s first private specialized eye center in 1955. It also pays tribute to Dr. Akef El-Maghraby, who expanded the legacy with the launch of the region’s first private eye hospital in 1975. Today, Magrabi Health operates more than 40 hospitals and medical centers across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Yemen, providing specialized services in eye, ENT, dental, and most recently, aesthetics through its Mayam Aesthetics brand.

As a market leader in ophthalmology in Saudi Arabia, Magrabi Health screens more than 2 million patients annually and performs over 200,000 surgeries across the region. With its proven business model and market insights, the organization is expanding its success into dentistry and ENT. From just seven dental clinics, Magrabi Health now operates 200 dental chairs and is accelerating its growth through strategic acquisitions and expansion plans.

Magrabi Health has a long-standing legacy of groundbreaking medical milestones. It was the first in the region to perform a corneal transplant, and the first in the Middle East — and second globally — to conduct LASIK surgery. It is also a pioneer in cataract procedures.

Mutasim Alireza, chief executive of Magrabi Health, said: “As we celebrate 70 years of service, we do so with deep gratitude for the trust of our patients and the dedication of our teams. Our continued growth reflects our commitment to combining clinical excellence with personalized, high-quality care across the communities we serve.”

He added: “Looking ahead, our focus remains on expanding access to specialized care through new centers, strategic partnerships, and innovation. With continued investment in digital transformation and subspecialty expertise, we aim to ensure every patient receives expert, compassionate, and individualized care.”

As part of the anniversary celebration, Magrabi unveiled the “70-Year Shield,” symbolizing “70 Years of Trust, Built Around You.”

Dr. Abdulrahman Barzangi, deputy CEO and COO, said: “Innovation has been central to Magrabi Health’s leadership. From early adoption of AI-powered diagnostics to integrating the latest medical technologies, we continue to set new standards in patient care.”

He also noted the organization’s strong commitment to social responsibility, saying: “We actively deliver free community screenings, support public health initiatives, and partner with charitable organizations to expand access to quality care. Through outreach and education, we strive to uplift the communities we serve.”


Jameel Motors to distribute Geely NEVs in Poland

Updated 11 May 2025
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Jameel Motors to distribute Geely NEVs in Poland

Jameel Motors, a provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands, and Geely Auto, a globally well-known auto group with an unwavering commitment to innovation and safety, have signed an agreement to distribute new energy passenger vehicles in Poland.

For the first time, Polish customers will have access to Geely Auto’s advanced lineup of NEVs. Poland’s electric vehicle market has experienced robust growth, with a year-over-year increase of 41 percent in battery electric vehicles in February 2025. This represents a significant long-term opportunity for Jameel Motors to meet customer demand and support the transition toward more sustainable mobility.

Jameel Motors will initially focus on the distribution of two models: the Geely EX5, a next-generation electric SUV, followed by a plug-in hybrid vehicle from the C-SUV segment. Geely Auto vehicles are renowned for their innovative and cutting-edge modular architecture. Built on the self-developed Global Intelligent Electric Architecture Platform, they combine first-class design and exceptional safety features delivering outstanding value. The first model will be available for sale in Q3 2025.

Jasmmine Wong, CEO — Jameel Motors, said: “By expanding our new energy vehicle portfolio, we’re giving Polish drivers even more freedom and flexibility in personal mobility — while actively supporting the country’s transition to greener mobility. We’re proud to collaborate with a company as innovative as Geely Auto, which continues to set new benchmarks in automotive technology and sustainability.”

Moe Wong, vice president of Geely Auto International Corporation, said: “We firmly believe that this partnership is not only a win-win business initiative that creates value for our customers, teams, and shareholders, but also a meaningful step in elevating Poland’s automotive industry — by introducing high-quality, intelligent, and sustainable vehicles to the market.”

Marcin Słomkowski, general manager, Jameel Motors Poland, said: “Geely Auto’s vehicles are ideal for Polish drivers, combining advanced yet user-friendly features with exceptional style and high quality. This is a vehicle built for the expectations of modern Polish consumers — where intelligent technology, comfort and safety are not optional, but essential.”

The EX5 stands out with its next-generation electric architecture, advanced safety systems and a spacious, comfortable cabin tailored to diverse driving conditions — from city commutes to longer family trips. It’s a car designed with real user needs in mind, offering premium mobility that’s accessible to everyone .”

Geely Auto is a leading Chinese automobile manufacturer and pioneer in intelligent driving, with a presence in more than 80 countries and sales of over 2.17 million vehicles in 2024.

Jameel Motors is building on 70 years of automotive excellence. It represents some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands and has operations in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia.


Diriyah Art Futures’ architectural innovation on show at Venice exhibition

Updated 11 May 2025
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Diriyah Art Futures’ architectural innovation on show at Venice exhibition

The MENA region’s first new media arts hub, Diriyah Art Futures, inaugurated “The Light Footprint,” an exhibition in collaboration with Italian architecture studio Schiattarella Associati. The exhibition, which runs until June 15, coincides with the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025 and explores the architectural development of DAF’s groundbreaking headquarters in Riyadh.

Curated by Marta Francocci, “The Light Footprint” is hosted at Venice’s prestigious Querini Stampalia Foundation and presents architectural models, sketches, videos, drawings, photographs and archival objects, to highlight the development process of DAF’s remarkable headquarters. 

The opening event brought together Mona Khazindar, adviser to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture; Haytham Nawar, director of DAF; and Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella, principal architects of Schiattarella Associati, for a guided curator-led tour of the exhibition, highlighting the building’s architectural and conceptual vision.

Designed by Schiattarella Associati, the DAF hub sets a new benchmark for developing technologically advanced cultural landmarks, which integrate historical context with forward-thinking architectural design. Carved into the escarpment of Diriyah, the design draws on Najdi traditions, local materials, and a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, cultural resonance, and human connection.

Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, DAF is an arts, research and education hub driven by a belief in the power of interdisciplinary creative practice at the intersection of science and technology. DAF’s 6,550-square-meter hub is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop forward-looking institutions, with strong roots in the nation’s unique cultural heritage.

Khazindar said: “We are pleased to present our vision for Diriyah Art Futures alongside the prestigious launch of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025. This pioneering project embodies our efforts to develop forward-looking cultural institutions, which foster bold experimentation and new forms of creative expression, rooted in our distinct heritage. Through projects like Diriyah Art Futures, we are establishing new benchmarks for contemporary cultural institutions, while transforming the Kingdom into a leading global capital for cultural exchange.”

In a statement, Amedeo and Andrea said: “Our work begins with the belief that architecture must resist the global flattening of cultural identity by embracing the uniqueness of place. With Diriyah Art Futures, we sought to create something deeply rooted in the local context, which draws on natural materials, historical continuity, and the values of the Najdi tradition to build a contemporary language tied to its environment. Rather than imposing form, we envisioned a complex that harmonizes with the land, placing nature, humanity, and cultural distinctiveness at the center. Through a balance of geometry and unpredictability, we embrace contradiction as a vital, life-giving force in the architectural process.”

The contents of “The Light Footprint” exhibition are also featured as part of the collective exhibition “Intelligens Naturale, Artificiale,” curated by Carlo Ratti at Arsenale, part of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025. 


With Maaden partnership, LIV Golf rebrands US event

Updated 10 May 2025
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With Maaden partnership, LIV Golf rebrands US event

LIV Golf unveiled a new identity for its eighth event on the 2025 schedule: LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden. The next stop on the league’s calendar will be held on June 6-8 at northern Virginia’s iconic Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, host of the first four Presidents Cup tournaments in the US and the Solheim Cup last September. The new naming rights reflect the league’s connection to the Commonwealth of Virginia and underscore the state’s bold vision to elevate professional golf through innovation, entertainment, and global reach.

Evolving from its former name LIV Golf DC, the tournament embraces Virginia’s distinct regional pride while advancing LIV Golf’s mission to build the sport’s most forward-thinking global league. Developed in collaboration with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and LIV Golf partner Maaden, one of the world’s fastest-growing mining and metals companies headquartered in Saudi Arabia, the event champions community engagement and cross-sector innovation.

“With LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden, we’re strengthening our connection to the Commonwealth and celebrating the local pride that drives this world-class event,” said Ross Hallett, executive vice president and head of events at LIV Golf. “This evolution reflects our mission of bringing bold energy, global vision, and an unforgettable next-gen fan experience to every stop on our schedule.”

As part of the announcement, Saudi Arabian Mining Company, known as Maaden, has launched their new partnership-focused campaign titled “Unearth Your Potential.” The campaign features LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Carlos Ortiz showing off their skills in a closest to the hole challenge, unveiling a mix of strategy, teamwork and fun that embody the league’s identity. “Unearth Your Potential” is inspired by LIV Golf’s impact and sustainability strategy and highlights the dedication to craft that is needed from both golfers and professionals alike to unearth and maximize their potential — both within the world of golf and within the mining industry.

Bob Wilt, CEO at Maaden, said: “LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden is more than a tournament — it’s a powerful expression of global collaboration and shared ambition. Our partnership with LIV Golf reflects a mutual drive to innovate, inspire and shape what’s next, both on the course and far beyond it.”

Maaden’s partnership brings bold branding, immersive activations, and elevated hospitality to the event. The event will showcase LIV Golf’s signature format: 54 holes of high-energy individual and team-based competition with unrivaled access, nonstop action, and an atmosphere that blends elite golf with culture, music, and digital engagement — hallmarks of the LIV Golf experience.


TDF to promote Saudi investment at Future Hospitality Summit

Updated 10 May 2025
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TDF to promote Saudi investment at Future Hospitality Summit

The Tourism Development Fund, the Kingdom’s tourism enabler, has announced it will serve as an enablement partner in the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia. The event is scheduled to take place in Riyadh from May 11 to 13, and will bring together global decision-makers and investors to explore opportunities in hospitality, promote knowledge exchange, and support startups and entrepreneurs in the sector.

TDF CEO Qusai Al-Fakhri said that the fund’s role extends beyond financial support and fosters connections between investment opportunities and local talent. “Our participation in the summit aims to accelerate this communication and broaden its impact across the Kingdom through hospitality projects and other initiatives that elevate the tourist experience and support sustainable economic growth,” Al-Fakhri said.

At its pavilion during the summit, TDF will present direct and indirect financing solutions. It will also feature non-financial initiatives from TDF Grow, which supports startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, develops national talent, and accelerates the growth of specialized projects throughout Saudi Arabia. The fund is also set to join a key panel discussion addressing tourism market shifts, exploring new investment prospects, and outlining TDF’s vision to build investor confidence while maintaining quality and returns.

TDF’s participation underscores its commitment to advancing the tourism sector by positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading investment destination and global hospitality hub, while highlighting the fund’s role as the Kingdom’s primary tourism enabler.

The summit is expected to attract more than 100 speakers, 280 investors, and 90 sponsors and partners from around the world.