MISA, Jada launch Catalyze Saudi to boost innovation, start-ups

The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) and Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed Jada Fund of Funds have partnered to launch the “Catalyze Saudi” platform, designed to strengthen ties between global and Saudi entrepreneurs and investors, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Aimed at stimulating the Kingdom’s nascent start-up ecosystem and bolstering its economic diversification plans, Catalyze Saudi will host a series of events that will bring foreign and Saudi entrepreneurs and investors together for networking, learning and engagement opportunities.  

The first of this will be held this month in Jeddah and Riyadh under the theme of disruptive technology. More events hosted by the platform will take place later this year to explore the Kingdom’s private equity and healthcare sector opportunities.  

Jada Chairman Mazen Al Jubeir said: “We hope this effort will help Saudi entrepreneurs and investors increase their access to international markets, capital and expertise, while also creating awareness among global leaders on the great opportunities in the Saudi market.” 

On his part, Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih stated: “Innovative start-ups are the bedrock of developed industrial economies – which is why Saudi Arabia placed support for the sector at the heart of its National Investment Strategy. We are committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and we know that access to finance is one of the key factors that enables growth of new enterprises.”