In a move designed to bolster the Kingdom’s economic prospects, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has announced the launch of the “Diriyah Entrepreneurship Initiative”.
Central to the initiative’s vision is the conservation of Diriyah’s rich cultural lineage. By encouraging businesses, startups, and individual entrepreneurs in diverse domains—ranging from hospitality, tourism, and retail to culture and the arts—the initiative aims to become a beacon for entrepreneurial excellence in the region.
This development further cements Diriyah’s collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at). The partnership, already cemented by previous joint ventures, continues to fortify the combined mission of both entities.
Speaking about the initiative, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of DGDA, highlighted its transformative nature. “The Diriyah Entrepreneurship Initiative serves as a catalyst for aspirants—from young learners in high schools and universities to well-established professionals and visionary business magnates. This program, complete with its vast offerings, will empower entrepreneurs to forge meaningful connections, gain deeper insights, and refine their business acumen in areas like hospitality, tourism, retail, culture, and the arts.”
One of the cornerstone features of the initiative is its educational approach. It intends to enlighten both new and experienced entrepreneurs about the unique business ecosystem of Diriyah. Participants will gain insights into the challenges inherent to the region, and will be equipped with contemporary tools and strategies to amplify their business development pursuits.
Monsha’at is poised to play a pivotal role in the initiative’s success, by crafting training modules and workshops tailored for the “Diriyah Entrepreneurial sessions”. This collaboration will ensure participants have access to capacity-building services, including training, consultations, and content revision. Entrepreneurs can also benefit from advisory services provided via the “Nawafth” application and the services available on the Mazaya platform.
The initiative has been structured around two primary tracks. The first, “Diriyah Entrepreneurial sessions”, will host a series of workshops and events steered by industry luminaries. These sessions will delve into Diriyah’s commercial landscape, preparing budding entrepreneurs to kickstart their ventures while also promoting meaningful discourse and knowledge exchange.
The second, named the “Diriyah Accelerator Program”, is meticulously curated for entrepreneurs either already anchored in Diriyah or those considering relocation. This program offers participants an exclusive opportunity to harness the wisdom of established experts to refine their projects.
Within the Diriyah Accelerator Program, there are four distinct paths, each focusing on a specific sector: Hospitality, Tourism, Retail, Culture, and Arts. The program invites participants to immerse themselves, bringing their current projects under the tutelage of specialists. The objective is clear: to elevate the entrepreneurial voyage, ensuring each participant reaches unprecedented heights in their respective domains.
