The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk Foundation) is targeting 300,000 entrepreneurs for support in developing their startups in 2020. This is a part of the Misk Global Forum (MGF), Executive Manager of the Forum Shaima Hamidaddin said.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman established the Misk Foundation in 2011. It developed 100,000 startups from 185 countries through its global forum in 2019.
"We believe we can, and with that comes a lot of opportunities for investment," Hamidaddin explained on the sidelines of the 2020 WEF in Davos, Switzerland.
"In 2019 we've been able to give [our entrepreneurs] access to about $10mn worth of investment opportunities which is amazing," she also added.
The MGF is the Misk Foundation's flagship platform and is currently in its fifth year. The forum "focuses on bringing to light the changes that are happening in the economy. It also shows how we can prepare young people," Hamidaddin said.
Startups can compete in the MGF's Entrepreneurship World Cup. It focuses on providing an educational curriculum. It is also designed to help accelerate a startup to the next stage of development, said Hamiddadin.
When asked for what advice she could give budding entrepreneurs looking for success, she said. "I would say stay focused and keep an open mind, because opportunities are there up for anybody to grow. It's just a matter of wanting it bad enough".
The Foundation's focus on young people and entrepreneurship should come as little surprise given the emphasis the Kingdom placed on developing these sectors.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman introduced the ambitious reform plan known as Vision 2030 in 2016. Since then, the Kingdom has made strides towards diversifying its economy and reducing its dependence on oil revenues.
Saudi Arabia jumped 30 spots in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business 2020 index in October. It is considered the biggest improvement and highest jump worldwide.
"We love what's happening in Saudi Arabia and we love what's happening with youth globally, there's a trend where youth are now being more of a focus … we also want to see where these opportunities are and capitalize and leverage on them," Hamiddadin added.
