Under the sponsorship of the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Deputy Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdul-Aziz will launch the First Saudi Forum for Startups organized by Umm Al-Qura University represented by Wadi Makkah Company in the period from Safar 15 to 17, 1439 H corresponding to November 4 to 6, 217 at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jeddah. 

Meanwhile, President of Umm Al-Qura University, the Chairman of Board of Directors of Wadi Makkah Company Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas said that sponsorship of the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and the opening of this forum by his deputy comes out of his interest in building human, development of place and investment in human mind adding that the forum is intended to gather entrepreneurs and founder of startups with the investors to receive investments which ensure growth of their projects and transferring them from startups projects into small, medium and large projects contributing effectively to boosting development wheel. He explained that the forum will witness participation of decision makers, experts, local and international companies to contribute effectively to achieving sustainable development  in line with the ambitious vision of the Kingdom 2030 to support national and knowledge-based economy, regional leadership, expand production base through entrepreneurship and creating environment incubating creativity, knowledge and technological innovation.   

He then lauded the support provided and still to Umm Al-Qura University by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Crown Prince and personal follow-up of the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques , Emir of Makkah HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal in addition to the support of the Minister of Education Dr. Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Ieesa to make Umm Al-Qura  amongst the leading universities at the international level. 

For his part, the UQU Vice President for Academic Development and Community Services, who serves also as the acting UQU Vice President for Business Innovation Dr. Hani bin Osman Ghazi said the Forum will save much effort for the entrepreneurs and founder of startups to meet with the investors and capital owners to support the national projects and give the opportunity to small and medium size companies to take their role in the national economic development. He explained that the forum targets government agencies, decision makers, business accelerators and incubators, startups, universities, researchers, technology companies and national investment funds. He then lauded support provided by UQU President Dr. Assas to all the programs of the company and the entrepreneurs.

Further, CEO of Wadi Makkah Company Dr. Faisal bin Ahmed Al-Alaf said the forum will focus on business incubators and accelerators and the role of universities and institutes in harnessing research to support transformation to knowledge-based economy, empower startup companies in the era of technology and challenges, share experiences, transfer knowledge by entrepreneurs and founders of startups, he added that the forum will also include discussion panels, workshops and the accompanying exhibition.