Umm Al-Qura University
President of Umm Al-Qura University who serves also the Chairman of Board of Directors of Wadi Makkah Company Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas honored the committees participated in organizing the Saudi Startups Forum organized by Wadi Makkah Company in the period from November 15-17, 2017 at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jeddah under the sponsorship of the Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah HRS Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and launched by the Governor of Jeddah HRH Prince Misha'al bin Majid bin Abdul-Aziz. The honoring ceremony took place at Wadi Makkah's Headquarters in Abdyia.
On this occasion, Dr. Assas praised the sponsorship of Advisor to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and Emir of Makkah Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and the honorable attendance of the Governor of Jeddah Prince Misha'al bin Majid in the opening ceremony of the forum which provides support for entrepreneurs in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030. He indicated that the forum contributed to bringing entrepreneurs and owners of startups together with the investors and venture capital funds to receive investments ensuring the growth of the innovative projects which play an effective role to boosting development wheel.
He further lauded the efforts exerted by the UQU Vice President who serves also as Deputy Chairman of Board of Directors of Wadi Makkah and the Deputy Head of the Forum's organizing committee Dr. Hani bin Osman Ghazi, which contributed to the success of the activities of the forum. He also lauded the efforts undertaken by the CEO of Wadi Makkah Dr. Faisal Al-Alaf, other members of the organizing committee and all workers thus contributed to attracting a number of speakers representing decision makers and owners of venture capital funds and startups using an innovating method compatible with the community needs.
For his part the UQU Vice President who serves also as Deputy Chairman of Board of Directors of Wadi Makkah and the Deputy Head of the Forum's organizing committee Dr. Hani bin Osman Ghazi praised the support attached to committee responsible for organizing activities of the forum by the UQU President Dr. Bakri Assas thus contributing to the success if the forum’s activities, he also extended his thanks to l=all members of the organizing committee.
Within the same vein the Head of the Forum’s Scientific Committee Dr. Abdullah Morad said the forum witnessed participation of more than 1700 persons, and its 30 workshops were attended by more than 1680 persons, 85 startups introduced their companies to investors and each company met with about 8 investors, 24 agreements and memos of understanding were signed during the forum and 150 meetings were conducted between investors and owners of the startups.
He went on to add that on the sidelines of the forum consultation was given to 100 entrepreneurs on Wadi Makkah Clinic Platform. This consultation focused on the administrative counseling, technology, and legal fields to contribute to providing counseling to entrepreneurs so as to help achieve the objective for which these companies were established.
