Ministry of Investment hosts next edition of Catalyze Saudi

Entrepreneurs and global investors from the growing entertainment sector and beyond are gathering for the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia’s (MISA’s) next Catalyze Saudi event. Beginning on December 9 in AlUla and concluding in Riyadh on December 11, the event aims to explore venture capital, private equity and other investment partnership opportunities in the Kingdom.

Catalyze Saudi is a program aiming to connect government leaders, innovative startups, institutional investors and leading family offices to support the growth of Saudi Arabia’s startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem by connecting it with global funding, expertise and networks. This effort is in line with the country’s goal of increasing the SME contribution to GDP from 20% to 35% in 2030, as set out in its Vision 2030 economic growth and diversification blueprint and National Investment Strategy.

According to MAGNiTT, a startup platform for emerging venture capital markets, last year was a record-breaking year for the Saudi venture capital ecosystem, which grew 270% year-over-year as startups accumulated US$548m in funding.

This momentum has continued into 2022 as the Kingdom defied challenges in the global ecosystem to see significant funding growth, with US$818m raised over 106 deals in the first three quarters of the year. The value is already 50% higher than the record funding raised last year and took Saudi Arabia’s share of the total funding in the MENA region to 35%, up from 18% in 2020.

Catalyze Saudi was launched in March 2022.  Participants have included Mayor Francis Suarez from Miami, David Grutman, Rio Ferdinand, Onefootball, Liberty City Ventures, Todd English, Animoca Brands, Silicon Valley Bank, Ginkgo Bioworks, Warner Music Group, Fernando Garibay and others. This edition of Catalyze Saudi will focus on the future of the entertainment industry, bringing together guests to discuss opportunities across sectors such as gaming, media, music, sport, design, tourism, and hospitality, with a specific lens on increasing investment in Saudi Arabia.

As host of the event, MISA, which aims to promote Saudi Arabia as a world-class investment destination, will hold roundtable discussions with global and Saudi entrepreneurs and investors and also provide networking, learning, and other engagement opportunities.