Saudi Arabia’s growing startup industry received international attention at the G20 Startup20 Summit in Johannesburg, where the Saudi company Net Zero won first place in the Sustainability and Green Technology category.
The Kingdom’s delegation, led by H.R.H. Prince Fahd bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz and supported by NEOM, showcased Saudi Arabia’s progress in innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship. The team included government institutions, private sector leaders, nonprofit organisations, and emerging founders, all working to promote new partnerships and global cooperation.
As part of the programme, delegates visited several major innovation centres, including the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, Investec Group headquarters, the Global Entrepreneurship Network’s On Sloane22 hub, Discovery Group’s technology facilities, and the Nelson Mandela House. These visits focused on knowledge exchange, investment discussions, and opportunities to support startup development.
During the summit’s gala dinner, Adwa AlDakheel, Founder and CEO of Falak Investment Hub, praised what she called a “golden moment” for entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. She highlighted the growing contribution of women in business and noted that startups supported by Falak have reached a collective valuation of up to 2 billion and created thousands of jobs.
On the second day, Khalid AlMutawa from the National Technology Development Program (NTDP) outlined national efforts to support innovators, improve competitiveness, and increase global partnerships. He stressed that collaboration with other countries is key to long-term success.
One of the biggest achievements came when Net Zero—led by Dr. Mohammed AlShaikh—secured the top sustainability prize, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in climate technology and green innovation.
The Saudi pavilion also attracted strong interest, featuring startup showcases, investment opportunities, workshops, and signing of several Memoranda of Understanding with international innovation organisations.
Prince Fahd said strengthening startups and small businesses is central to Saudi Vision 2030, noting that the Kingdom is building a competitive and globally connected entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Saudi Arabia ended its participation with new partnerships, global recognition, and wider visibility for its innovators—positioning the Kingdom as an emerging leader in sustainable development and global entrepreneurship.
