Innovating Today, Empowering Tomorrow

About | Statics | Benefits | Awards | Timeline | Criteria

Innovating Today, Empowering Tomorrow

Innovating Today,

Empowering Tomorrow

What is StartSmart Competition?

Previously named MIT Enterprise Forum Saudi Arabia, StartSmart Competition is a Saudi annual entrepreneurship challenge, launched in 2016 and proudly supported by the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation. Now in its 9th edition, the competition focuses on empowering entrepreneurs with bold AI-driven ideas, promising MVPs, and pre-seed startups from across the Kingdom.

Through a comprehensive program, participants will gain practical tools to validate their concepts, refine and develop their MVPs, and prepare for successful market entry. By offering market-driven training, expert mentorship, and substantial equity-free prizes, the competition strengthens the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and fuels the growth of innovative, high-impact ventures in Saudi Arabia.

What is StartSmart Competition?

Previously named MIT Enterprise Forum Saudi Arabia, StartSmart Competition is a Saudi annual entrepreneurship challenge, launched in 2016 and proudly supported by the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation. Now in its 9th edition, the competition focuses on empowering entrepreneurs with bold AI-driven ideas, promising MVPs, and pre-seed startups from across the Kingdom.

Through a comprehensive program, participants will gain practical tools to validate their concepts, refine and develop their MVPs, and prepare for successful market entry. By offering market-driven training, expert mentorship, and substantial equity-free prizes, the competition strengthens the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and fuels the growth of innovative, high-impact ventures in Saudi Arabia.

Statics from StartSmart Competition

Since 2016, the StartSmart Competition has left considerable impact on

Saudi Arabia entrepreneurship scene; including:

10500+

Applicant

9800+

Trainees

Awarded

200+

Jobs created

Statics from StartSmart Competition

Since 2016, the StartSmart Competition has left considerable impact on Saudi Arabia entrepreneurship scene; including

Who Can Participate?

Any Saudi, AI-powered idea or MVP can participate in the competition, regardless of sector.

Who Can Participate?

Any Saudi, AI-powered idea or MVP can participate in the competition, regardless of sector.

What Will Participants Gain?

Prizes for Top Ideas:

Gain monetary grants with no strings attached, to help you

turn your idea into a startup.

World-Class Training:

Learn advanced techniques to develop your idea into

an MVP and validate your idea.

Mentorship and Coaching:

Receive one-on-one coaching from entrepreneurial experts to

strengthen your business strategies.

Media Exposure:

Put your startup in the spotlight, both online and offline, and

showcase your innovation to the world.

Investment-Readiness Support:

Gain the skills, insights, and connections needed to attract funding.

What Will Participants Gain?

Prizes for Top Ideas:

Gain monetary grants with no strings attached, to help you turn your idea into a startup.

World-Class Training:

Learn advanced techniques to develop your idea into an MVP and validate your idea.

Mentorship and Coaching:

Receive one-on-one coaching from entrepreneurial experts to strengthen your business strategies.

Media Exposure:

Put your startup in the spotlight, both online and offline, and showcase your innovation to the world.

Investment-Readiness Support:

Gain the skills, insights, and connections needed to attract funding.

What Are the Awards for the Top 3 Winners?

2^nd Place

1^st Place

3^rd Place

What Are the Awards for
the Top 3 Winners?

Timeline

Application Opens

September 1^st, 2025

Application Closes

November 13^th, 2025

Announcement of the top 40 ideas

November 20^th, 2025

2-Month Virtual Bootcamp

December 1^st, 2025

Demo day and selection of 3 winners

February 4^th, 2026

Post-Program Support

February-March, 2026

Timeline

Application Opens

September 1^st, 2025

Application Closes

November 13^th, 2025

Announcement of the top 40 ideas

November 20^th, 2025

2-Month Virtual Bootcamp

December 1^st, 2025

Demo Day

February 4^th, 2026

Post-Program Support

February-March, 2026

Are you

Eligible To Participate?

To ensure the entrepreneurs who join the program get the support, guidance, and resources that are suitable for them, make sure to check the following criteria before applying:

Your innovative solution

must be AI-powered, using any of the existing AI tools within its business model.

Your idea
must be

based in Saudi Arabia and able to attend the program’s online/ in-person events.

Your idea
or MVP

must have an innovative solution to an ongoing challenge within the Saudi market.

You must be fully committed

to the program throughout its duration.

apply

Are You Eligible To Participate?

To ensure the entrepreneurs who join the program get the support, guidance, and resources that are suitable for them, make sure to check the following criteria before applying:

Your idea must be

based in Saudi Arabia and able to attend the program’s online/ in-person events.

You must be fully committed

to the program throughout its duration.

Your innovative solution

must be AI-powered, using any of the existing AI tools within its business model.

Your idea or MVP

must have an innovative solution to an ongoing challenge within the Saudi market.

Join Our Road Shows

To introduce the competition to entrepreneurs across Saudi Arabia, we’re hitting the road with a series of interactive roadshows featuring training bootcamps and Q&A sessions designed to give you all the insights you need. Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your entrepreneurial skills, get your questions answered, and prepare your ideas for success.

Save your seat today and be part of the journey:

Join Our Road Shows

To introduce the competition to entrepreneurs across Saudi Arabia, we’re hitting the road with a series of interactive roadshows featuring training bootcamps and Q&A sessions designed to give you all the insights you need. Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your entrepreneurial skills, get your questions answered, and prepare your ideas for success.

Save your seat today and be part of the journey:

FAQ's

FAQ's

What if my idea doesn’t use Artificial Intelligence?

Any idea that doesn't include AI within its business model isn't eligible to participate.

Can you give me an example on how I should use AI within my idea?

Participating ideas should include AI tools within any components of its business model canvas. For example, AI can be utilized in Key Activities, Main Resources, Channels, and Value Proposition sections.

What will the bootcamp offer?

The top 40 idea-stage and pre-MVP-stage startups will be chosen to join a 2-month virtual Accelerator Program starting December 2025, where they will get one-on-one mentorship and group training on market research, MVP development, AI tools, financial planning, funding strategies, legal considerations, pitch refinement, and more.

What will the Demo Day activities include?

The competition concludes with a Demo Day, where founders showcase their innovative solutions to investors and partners, positioning themselves for future growth and success. During the Demo Day, the entrepreneurs will also get the opportunity to network with relevant stakeholders and discuss potential investment opportunities.

FAQ's

FAQ's

What if my idea doesn’t use Artificial Intelligence?

Any idea that doesn't include AI within its business model isn't eligible to participate.

Can you give me an example on how I should use AI within my idea?

Participating ideas should include AI tools within any components of its business model canvas. For example, AI can be utilized in Key Activities, Main Resources, Channels, and Value Proposition sections.

What will the bootcamp offer?

The top 40 idea-stage and pre-MVP-stage startups will be chosen to join a 2-month virtual Accelerator Program starting December 2025, where they will get one-on-one mentorship and group training on market research, MVP development, AI tools, financial planning, funding strategies, legal considerations, pitch refinement, and more.

What will the Demo Day activities include?

The competition concludes with a Demo Day, where founders showcase their innovative solutions to investors and partners, positioning themselves for future growth and success. During the Demo Day, the entrepreneurs will also get the opportunity to network with relevant stakeholders and discuss potential investment opportunities.

An initiative by

Contact us

+966 59 386 4848

contact@startsmartsaudi.com

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Terms and Conditions

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All rights reserved to Start Smart ©

An initiative by

Contact us

+966 59 386 4848

contact@startsmartsaudi.com

Follow us

_csp_linktr_ee_startupcompetition

Terms and Conditions

All rights reserved to Start Smart ©

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