As global attention increasingly turns toward Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving innovation economy, many conversations still rely on outdated assumptions and surface-level narratives. Saudi Entrepreneurship: Beyond the Headlines brings together founders, researchers, and ecosystem builders for a candid discussion on what entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia actually looks like today.

Featuring perspectives from operators working directly within the startup ecosystem, including leaders from CIC Catalyst, academic researchers, and entrepreneurs, this panel will explore the realities shaping entrepreneurship across the Kingdom, from cultural shifts and emerging opportunities to the challenges, misconceptions, and global dynamics influencing innovation and venture growth.

Through the lens of research, lived experience, and ecosystem development, the conversation will unpack how Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial landscape is evolving, what international communities often misunderstand, and where meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth are emerging.