Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition

The 12 winning teams (three teams within each track) of the StartSmart competition were awarded valuable prizes that amounted to SR465,000.
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Updated 04 October 2023
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Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition

Community Jameel Saudi successfully concluded the 7th edition of the StartSmart competition, in the presence of Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah bin Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation; Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Aboud, director of the Ministry of Sports branch in Makkah region; and a number of business leaders and experts. The event was held under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah.
The concluding ceremony was organized at Jeddah Corniche Circuit by Bab Rizq Jameel and the Lenobadir program, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, under the theme of “Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurship and the Green Economy.” This year’s edition featured four distinct tracks: Startups, Ideas, Social Enterprise, and the newly launched Environment track.
The competition witnessed remarkable participation, drawing 1,010 applicants, with 60 teams qualifying for the semifinal stage. The teams underwent an intensive training camp last July, covering a variety of topics, including strategic planning, marketing, and financial management. The qualifying teams presented their projects and ideas to a judging panel, resulting in the selection of 36 teams for the final stage, out of which 12 winning teams (three teams within each track) were selected and awarded valuable prizes that amounted to SR465,000 ($124,000).
In the Startups track, fanZ grabbed the first place, Siolla came second, and Ballurh secured the third place. In the Social Enterprise track, AmplifAI Health won first place, Bahaa Adaptive Solutions ranked second, while Ad Astr came third. As for the Ideas track, Rafah AI secured first place, Organic Waste Management came second, and Maqarri grabbed third place. In the new Environment track, SARsatX won first place, Ivvest ranked second and TrustiT came third.
On the sidelines of the event, Community Jameel Saudi held a forum that included a conference and eight workshops. The forum featured eight expert speakers who discussed some of the most important trends, challenges, and opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector and the market.


‘India-Saudi Arabia Investment Connect’ in Jeddah tomorrow

Updated 23 February 2025
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‘India-Saudi Arabia Investment Connect’ in Jeddah tomorrow

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah is organizing a one-day “India-Saudi Arabia Investment Connect” event at the Lazurde Hall, Park Hyatt Jeddah, on Feb. 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The event will feature expert talks and in-depth presentations on various themes related to the investment opportunities in India such as India’s growth story from a macro perspective, key sectoral investment opportunities in India, legal and regulatory framework pertaining to investing in India, Gujarat International Finance Tech-City incentives, Indian Start-up ecosystem, and so on.

In addition to these expert talks, there would be a curated panel discussion on “Mechanics of investing in India,” and experience sharing sessions by some of the Saudi businesses with successful experience of investing in India.

The event also provides an opportunity for various startups from India to present their investment pitches.

The event aims to further strengthen the bilateral commercial and economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia by providing valuable insights into the business and investment landscape of India, by sharing glimpses of enormous opportunities of untapped trade and investment avenues in India, and by creating a platform for businesses and investors from both the countries to forge newer linkages for mutual growth.

Representatives from concerned ministries and departments and major businesses and investors from Saudi Arabia are expected to grace the event, which is part of the series of trade and investment promotion initiatives that are being undertaken by the consulate.


Connect-PS, Al-Haddad forge joint venture in KSA

Updated 23 February 2025
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Connect-PS, Al-Haddad forge joint venture in KSA

Connect-PS, a provider of information technology solutions and services, has announced a joint venture with Al-Haddad Group in Saudi Arabia. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in Connect-PS’s ambitious growth trajectory and supports its expansion plans in the Middle East.

The partnership is built on a foundation of shared vision to add a remarkable footprint to the Saudi IT sector and to contribute effectively in realizing the digital transformation objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The impact of this partnership extends beyond the corporate realm. Connect-PS has already established itself as a trusted partner for key government institutions in Saudi Arabia, showcasing its expertise in critical IT infrastructure and services. From securing a consulting framework agreement with a major financial government authority to executing tech-refresh projects for a leading government services provider, Connect-PS has demonstrated its capacity to drive technological advancement in the public sector.

Connect-PS offers a track record of delivering IT expertise with customer focus and quality performance. Al-Haddad Group, a well-rooted Saudi brand with decades of market presence, offers its telecommunications expertise and robust business network in the Kingdom.

Connect-PS and Al-Haddad Group have announced a mutual commitment to expand their operations in the Saudi market in the coming years, relying on their joint venture, which will provide additional capital to fuel innovation and capture emerging market opportunities. 

Mohamed Moheb, CEO of Connect-PS

“We have been operating in the Kingdom for more than eight years and built an elite brand for our services. This strategic partnership with Al-Haddad Group will support our business expansion plans and we aim to increase our market share, adding valuable impact on the Saudi market in the next four years,” said Mohamed Moheb, CEO of Connect-PS.

“The joint venture with Connect-PS aligns with our strategy to diversify our revenue streams and will expand our capacity to approach new market segments and create unprecedented value for our customers,” said Chairman of Al-Haddad Group Bashir Al-Haddad.

Connect-PS has demonstrated remarkable growth in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of 30 percent between 2018 and 2021, accelerating to 40-45 percent year-over-year from 2022 to 2024. This growth trajectory reflects the company’s agility in adapting to market demands and its strategic focus on enhancing shareholder value.

Most recently, the company was awarded a significant contact center project for the governmental authority responsible for data and AI transformation, further cementing its role in Saudi Arabia’s digital evolution. These partnerships highlight Connect-PS’s pivotal role in supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious digital transformation objectives.


Tender opens for dry port construction near Saudi-Omani border

Updated 23 February 2025
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Tender opens for dry port construction near Saudi-Omani border

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, known as OPAZ, has announced the launch of the third package tender for the development of the Economic Zone at Al-Dhahira, which includes the construction of dry port facilities and a veterinary quarantine.

OPAZ has invited experienced Saudi and Omani companies to purchase the tender documents and submit their bids before April 17.

The dry port is the main driver of the economic zone, located near the Saudi-Omani border, known as Al-Rubaa Al-Khali. It is being developed in collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Oman. The total area allocated for the dry port is 4 square kilometers and the first phase of the dry port will be constructed on 1 square kilometer. In addition, the tender covers the construction of a veterinary quarantine.

Ibrahim Yousuf Al-Zadjali, project manager — EZAD, said that the new tender will enable EZAD to achieve its objectives of enhancing trade between Saudi Arabia and Oman. The design incorporates the latest facilities and ensures the port is built in line with the highest standards and top-quality specifications.

He affirmed that the dry port, in integration with the border crossing, will shorten the time required for goods transported to and from Oman via other entry points. This will be achieved by reducing the number of transit points, thereby decreasing the time needed for goods to reach their final destination.

He also noted that the dry port will facilitate the smooth flow of goods between the Kingdom and Oman, enhance bilateral trade, strengthen investment partnerships, and attract further investment.

The tender includes the execution of civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural works for the dry port and veterinary quarantine.


Kaplan expands MENA footprint with new regional HQ in Riyadh

Updated 22 February 2025
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Kaplan expands MENA footprint with new regional HQ in Riyadh

Kaplan, a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their professional goals in an ever-changing world, is expanding its footprint across the MENA region, with a licensed regional headquarters in Riyadh, uniting multiple Kaplan businesses under one business structure. This integrated service model will create a gateway in the Middle East for Kaplan’s global education and training offerings.

The Middle East, with Saudi Arabia at the forefront, is rapidly becoming a pivotal market for global education providers. This surge is driven by the Kingdom’s dedication to developing human capital, localizing its workforce, and fostering international partnerships within the education sector at all levels. Under the strategic Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia is making substantial investments in education and skills training. Additionally, the Kingdom is actively creating a business-friendly environment for international companies. Through the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, the government has streamlined processes and provided incentives to attract foreign investors. This commitment positions the Kingdom as an ideal destination for Kaplan’s expanded educational services.

With a prospering population and a growing appetite for globally recognized qualifications, Saudi Arabia offers immense opportunities for professional development and career growth. Kaplan seeks to contribute to this dynamic landscape and support the Kingdom’s vision.

Basil Hanna, managing director of Kaplan Middle East and North Africa, said: “With five offices across the MENA region, we offer seamless access to a full range of training, education, and workforce solutions — ensuring efficiency, expertise, and the highest quality service.

“With Kaplan’s investment in the region, we will continue to be trusted advisers for both the public and private sectors in identifying industry needs and addressing them through our extensive suite of training and education offerings aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s mission to build local workforce capacity.”

He added: “Kaplan’s contribution goes beyond providing education and training programs. We have been a key ally to SMEs, driving innovation in the ed-tech and recruitment industries while collaborating with over 100 domestic organizations.”

Kaplan offers bespoke professional training that includes finance, business skills, leadership, behavioral and digital transformation training and also “Graduate Development Programs,” delivered to some of the most prestigious organizations in the Kingdom.

Kaplan’s language business will now also be increasing its regional presence by serving the academic, professional and government sectors with tailored language solutions varying from assessment to both digital and in-person instruction. Students wishing to improve their English language will continue to receive support to find the right location for them at one of Kaplan’s 30 schools in the US, UK, Canada and Ireland, ensuring diverse international student cohorts in an international environment.

In addition to Riyadh, Kaplan’s other offices in the region are in Dubai (two locations), Abu Dhabi, and Cairo.


New AlSafi dairy campaign reaches out to Gen Z

Updated 22 February 2025
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New AlSafi dairy campaign reaches out to Gen Z

Saudi dairy brand AlSafi has launched its latest campaign “TaMoo Tabee3y,” a bold and playful initiative designed to engage Generation Z through humor, authentic experiences, and the unique taste of its dairy products. The campaign introduces the tagline “TaMoo Tabee3y,” emphasizing superior taste, natural ingredients, and a fun, youthful brand identity.

For the campaign, AlSafi differentiates itself by leveraging creative storytelling, TikTok trends, and pop culture references to make dairy exciting and relevant. The campaign creates deep engagement with Saudi youth through a variety of interactive elements. Additionally, AlSafi has introduced the TaMoo Tabee3y video series, a collection of humorous clips showcasing spontaneous and exaggerated reactions to the rich and natural taste of its products, aligning with Gen Z’s love for memes and viral content.

To further amplify its reach, the campaign includes partnerships with digital influencers and lifestyle content creators, with more than 60 influencers participating across social media. AlSafi has also partnered with X, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube platforms to further promote the campaign. In addition, the company has collaborated with Shahid, integrating its products in scenes from the series “Autumn of the Heart,” which began airing on Feb. 9, strengthening the brand’s presence in a seamless and engaging way.

“AlSafi has always been dedicated to delivering the best-tasting dairy products, and with ‘Moo Tabee3y,’ we’re embracing a fresh and modern approach to connect with Gen Z in a way that feels real and entertaining,” said Tamer Elrafie, vice president, CMO for AlSafi-Danone.

In addition to digital activities, AlSafi is hosting live popup events at major venues across Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, such as at the Boulevard World, gyms and universities, where consumers can enjoy interactive experiences and exclusive product samplings. Additionally, the campaign integrates modern Saudi culinary trends by collaborating with local chefs to develop traditional recipes with a contemporary twist using AlSafi products. This initiative not only celebrates the brand’s commitment to quality but also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s evolving food culture.