Introduction to Biban 2024
Brief Overview:
Biban 2024 is the most prominent MENA entrepreneurship and innovation-focused event in the MENA region. An annual conference, Biban is a dynamic forum for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and students to reflect on opportunities, network, and exchange ideas.
Significance of the Event:
Biban is one of the critical events for MENA’s entrepreneurial community, mainly because it focuses on teamwork, SME support, and the latest trends in technology and responsible business practices. Thus, Saudi Arabia’s vision of a thriving startup environment will be expanded by this kind of event to achieve its goal of supporting a friendly ecosystem.
Date and Location:
It will happen from November 5 to 9, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; therefore, thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and pitches can easily reach the core entrepreneurial hubs of the MENA region; hence, it will place Saudi Arabia at the centre of all innovations.
Organisers and Event Vision
Organisers:
Biban 2024 is organised by Monsha’at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority of Saudi Arabia. The latter focuses on developing and empowering entrepreneurs across the country.
Mission and Vision:
The event will be working towards nurturing entrepreneurship by providing an international platform to bring in novel international ideas and best practices and support SMEs through their journey. The goals of Biban align with the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to achieve economic diversification and private-sector growth.
Target Audience:
It attracts experienced entrepreneurs, budding business owners, investors, government officials, and students. This mix attempts to ensure cross-pollination of ideas and, of course, networking that spans industries and regions.
Key Themes of Biban 2024
Innovation and Technology:
Biban 2024 is aligned with technology-enabled solutions to all sectors, and particular emphasis areas include AI, fintech, and e-commerce for entrepreneurs to understand how advanced tools could be used to scale a business.
Sustainability and Green Entrepreneurship
There is a focus on sustainability in businesses, green entrepreneurship, green solutions, and eco-friendly innovations that go hand-in-hand with the drive for environmental stewardship of Saudi Arabia.
Global and Regional Partnerships
It also links local entrepreneurs to international stakeholders and facilitates partnerships in various areas, advancing the region’s growth and improving the position of MENA in the world economy.
Main Events and Activities
Key Statistics
- 160,000+ visitors
- 250+ speakers
- 150+ enablement entities
- 420 workshops benefiting over 19,000 entrepreneurs
- 5,000+ consultations provided to startups
- 1,350+ exhibitors showcasing their products
Workshops and Training:
These workshops endow with the training skills regarding business planning, finance and digital marketing to a new and experienced entrepreneur.
Networking:
The networking scheduled here will ensure people can connect with current and future investors, mentors or collaborators post-event.
Exhibition for the start-ups’
The start-ups can present their product and services in front of diverse people so that it increases their visibility and garners customers as well as investors. Pitch Competitions
Another great highlight is the Biban Pitch competition, where participants fight for precious prizes and visibility. Winners will take home funding and, most importantly, critical feedback from experienced investors.
Daily Agenda of Biban 2024: What to Expect Each Day
Day 1: November 5, 2024 – Launch and Opening
- Official Opening Ceremony: The official opening shall be held in a glitzy ceremony. Speakers and Saudi Arabia’s business ecosystem, aside from high-profile international guests, are also included.
- Keynote speakers: Opening speeches by local and internationally renowned entrepreneurs, government officials, and experts on innovation and investment.
- The opening of startup exhibitions: These will be held during the event, providing entrepreneurs and companies from different sectors the opportunity to present their products and services to a world audience.
- Networking Sessions: Day One will be purely networking, wherein sessions are designed for participants to meet potential investors, mentors, and collaborators.
Day 2: November 6, 2024 – Focus on Startups and Innovation
- Startup Exhibition: More than 1,350 exhibitors will present their product inventory, especially in the tech, eCommerce, and innovation sectors. This will increase horizon exposure for startups from the investment community.
- Workshops and Training: These workshops will focus on critical business areas, such as digital transformation, business strategy, market expansion, etc. Workshops would focus on developing skills for growth and sustainability of business activities in which they are investing.
- Pitch Competitions: Early rounds of the Biban Pitch competition will be held; here, entrepreneurs go head-to-head for visibility, feedback, and funding.
Day 3: November 7, 2024 – E-commerce and Funding Focus
- E-commerce Innovations: A Day on the future of e-commerce, new trends and innovations at the digital sales platform. Speakers will be leaders and experts from e-commerce.
- Funding and Investment: Panels and presentations on how to secure the financing of SMEs allow the participants to explore different kinds of investment alternatives in Saudi Arabia and within the region, as well as success stories of entrepreneurs both locally and internationally.
- One-on-one consultations: entrepreneurs may apply for a single consultation with an investor or advisor for funding issues and investment strategy.
Day 4: November 8, 2024 – Growth and Expansion
- Franchising and Scaling: This day will focus on how businesses can scale, expand, and franchise. Speakers will share strategies for growing an SME and reaching new markets, both regionally and internationally.
- Fast-Growing Enterprises: Discussions and workshops on how to maintain and accelerate growth once a business has achieved a certain level of success. Insights from companies that have scaled rapidly will be shared.
- Finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup: The competition will reach its climax with the finals, where top startups from around the world will pitch their ideas to a panel of investors and judges.
Day 5: November 9, 2024 – Closing and Future Outlook
- Closing Ceremony and Key Takeaways: The final day will include a closing ceremony, with reflections on the key learnings from the forum and an outlook for the future of SMEs in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
- Collaborations and Announcements: Several major collaborations, partnerships, and agreements are expected to be announced, particularly in the areas of innovation and funding.
- Networking and Final Consultations: The last chance for entrepreneurs and attendees to make connections, network, and schedule final consultations with experts.
Notable Speakers and Panels
HRH Royal and Government Leaders
HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud
- Founder & CEO, KBW Ventures
- Focus Areas: Sustainable investments & investment in technology start-ups
H.E. Dr. Ghassan AlSulaiman
- Chairman, Al Sulaiman Group;
- Chairman, National Committee for Non-Profit Companies
- Role: Advocates for the role of the third sector in national economic growth and social impact.
H.E. Oh Youngju
- Minister, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, South Korea
- Contribution: International cooperation is needed for SMEs’ growth and innovation.
H.E Erkki Keldo
- Position: Minister of Economy & Industry, Estonia
- Role: Digital Economy Advancements and e-Governance Pioneer from Estonia
- Business Leaders and Innovators
Dr. Badr Al Badr
- Position: CEO, Misk Foundation
- Focus: Under his leadership in youth empowerment, Dr. Badr will explain the opportunities for young Saudi entrepreneurs
Sultan AlHamidi
- Position: CEO, Social Development Bank
- Topic: Mobilization of financial resource support to SMEs, anchored on access to funding and social impact.
Kaswara Alkhatib
- Position: Chairman UTURN Webedia Group
- Role: Share how digital media can contribute to the visibility of startups and solid branding.
Salman Attieh
- Position: Founder & CEO Jumlaty Platform
- Topic: Stories of eCommerce innovation and expansion to the market.
Tech & Digital Transformation Experts
Zack Kass
- Former Head of GTM OpenAI
- Insight: What does AI have for business transformation and efficient operations?
Neil Patel
- Position: Co-founder, NP Digital
- Topic: Neil Patel is a well-known digital marketer. He will speak on how to grow startups through digital channels.
Ahmad Salama
- Position: Vice President & General Manager, Content Square
- Topic: Customer experience analytics and the need for data-driven decisions.
Female Leaders and Visionaries
Hanin Alsubaie
- Position: Founder & CEO, Darent Platform
- Topic: Entrepreneurship from a female perspective, sharing insights on overcoming challenges in the digital space.
Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr
- Role: Digital Transformation Expert; Strategic Leader in Smart City Initiatives
- Focus: Observations on innovative city initiatives and the digital transformation of cities.
Yara Ghouth
- Nqoodlet Co-founder
- Perspective: “Talking about FinTech and How It Is Changing Personal Finance Management.”
- International Entrepreneurs & Influencers
International Entrepreneurs and Influencers
Jonathan Quarles
- Founder & CEO, International Entrepreneur and Global Connector
- Topic: Connectivity of global businesses as well as opportunities for cross-border entrepreneurship.
Badr Ward
- Founder and CEO, Lamsa Platform
- Focus: Best in Class- Innovation in educational technology and content for the children.
Government Support and Policies
Role of Saudi Government:
The interest the Saudi government has in helping build a robust entrepreneurial environment is evident through its investment in Biban. It is entirely consistent with Vision 2030: diversifying the economy off oil and empowering the private sector.
Policies To Improve SMEs:
Biban is often a gateway for new initiatives and funding opportunities targeting start-ups. The participants will get updates on the freshly rolled out policies, grants, and resources available to the government to support them.
Success Stories and Case Studies
Past Biban Success Stories:
Biban has been associated with several success stories, including various startups that have received tremendous exposure and support that have assisted in their long-term development. Those success stories highlight the impact of Biban on individual businesses and the economy.
Case Studies:
A few additional examples of SMEs reflect significant positive growth provoked by Biban, from higher market penetration to ‘assured funding’. These cases examine where and how the engagement of Biban might be a catalysts of significant positive growth.
Critical Take-aways for Entrepreneurs:
Top Opportunities:
Attending Biban 2024 will give entrepreneurs precious resources: pitching on-the-job training and direct access to investors and the country’s policymakers.
Practical Tips:
Consider the advantages and opportunities by creating short pitches, networking events, and other resources to help you with your business following this event. Attendees should be open to being exposed to new ideas or potential collaborations that might help them reach their objectives.
Future of Entrepreneurship in MENA
Post-Biban Vision :
The spirit of Biban goes beyond the one event, creating a solid sustainability factor about a long-term commitment to the nurturance of entrepreneurship in the MENA region. This indeed matches up with Saudi’s vision for a diversified economy.
Long-term Objectives:
In Biban, Saudi Arabia seeks to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that thrives continuously to meet international standards—the efforts point to the need for sustained support for start-ups and SMEs.
Biban 2024 represents one of the best chances for the entrepreneurial ecosystem of MENA. It inspires and opens resources and contacts for real progress.
Conclusion
Biban 2024 promises insight, connections, and opportunities for all entrepreneurs, investors, or followers of innovation. Thus, stay tuned with the updates and highlights from Biban to get inspiration and maintain engagement with the latest in the entrepreneurial world of MENA.
