The “10 From Saudi” program has selected 10 promising Saudi enterprises for a specialized international track designed to accelerate their growth and prepare them for expansion into European markets, according to an announcement released via the Saudi Press Agency. The program begins at “Jada 30,” one of the Social Development Bank’s (SDB) initiatives in Riyadh, and continues at the Incubateur HEC Paris at STATION F, one of the world’s largest startup campuses, giving the selected companies direct access to one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
The initiative is supported and sponsored by the Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) and operated by the Social Development Bank, reflecting a deliberate collaboration between the Kingdom’s development finance and banking sectors. It builds on SDB’s broader efforts to create an integrated ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurship, going beyond conventional financing to develop organizational capabilities, strengthen investment readiness, and build lasting business networks. For a generation of Saudi founders with global ambitions, the program represents a structured bridge between the Kingdom’s fast-maturing startup scene and the international investors, partners, and markets that can help them scale.
Context and Background
Why does a program that selects just 10 companies matter in a startup landscape that now numbers in the thousands? The answer lies in the way Saudi Arabia has steadily constructed a support architecture for entrepreneurs that begins with early-stage funding and now extends all the way to international market entry. The Social Development Bank has been a central pillar of that architecture, evolving from a traditional lending institution into a comprehensive enabler of small and medium enterprises, freelancers, and innovative ventures. The “10 From Saudi” program is the latest expression of that evolution, moving beyond capital to capability-building at a global standard.
The choice of Incubateur HEC Paris at STATION F as the international venue is significant. STATION F, located in Paris, is widely regarded as the largest startup campus in the world, hosting hundreds of ventures and a dense network of investors, corporate partners, and mentors. HEC Paris, one of Europe’s leading business schools, operates its incubator there, giving participating Saudi enterprises access to structured programming, expert advisory, and a community that spans the continent. For founders accustomed to building within the Kingdom’s own rapidly growing ecosystem, this exposure offers a rare combination of credibility, connectivity, and practical market intelligence.
The program also reflects a wider regional trend in which Gulf economies are no longer content to import innovation; they are exporting it. Saudi Arabia in particular has invested heavily in developing homegrown technology companies across sectors that align with national priorities, from financial services to health and climate solutions. By assembling a cohort of 10 enterprises and placing them inside a European innovation hub, the Kingdom is signaling that its startups are ready to compete internationally, not merely to serve domestic demand.
Key Details of the Program
What exactly will the selected enterprises do during their time in the program? According to the official announcement, participants will take part in workshops, advisory sessions, and meetings with investors, experts, and entrepreneurs. These activities are designed to connect them with companies and institutions across Europe’s innovation ecosystem, helping them strengthen their competitiveness and build commercial and investment partnerships that contribute to long-term growth. The structure is practical rather than theoretical, focusing on the concrete steps required to enter new markets.
The program targets startups across six technology tracks: fintech, artificial intelligence and data, healthtech, climate tech, logistics tech, and gaming. These tracks were not chosen at random. Each corresponds to a sector where Saudi Arabia has demonstrated growing capacity and where global demand is strong. Fintech and artificial intelligence, for example, are central to the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda, while healthtech and climate tech address pressing regional and global challenges. Logistics tech aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic position as a trade and transport hub, and gaming reflects the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s entertainment and esports industries.
Selection was based on criteria focused on the readiness of business models, the execution capabilities of teams, and the potential for commercial expansion. These criteria are intended to ensure that participants can make the most of the program and translate their involvement into practical steps toward entering international markets. In other words, the program is not a general accelerator; it is a targeted instrument for companies that have already demonstrated traction and are prepared to take on the demands of cross-border growth.
The involvement of the Saudi Investment Bank as sponsor adds another layer of institutional strength. SAIB’s participation underscores the role that commercial and development banks can play in nurturing entrepreneurship, not only through financing but through strategic support that connects Saudi enterprises to global opportunities. This partnership between SDB and SAIB exemplifies the kind of cross-sector collaboration that has become a hallmark of the Kingdom’s economic modernization.
International and Regional Impact
How will a program involving 10 startups resonate beyond the companies themselves? The answer lies in the signal it sends to international investors and partners. When Saudi enterprises are embedded in a campus like STATION F, they become visible to European venture capital firms, corporate innovation teams, and potential customers who may previously have had limited exposure to the Kingdom’s startup scene. Each successful connection can open doors not only for the participating company but for the broader Saudi ecosystem, as investors begin to view the Kingdom as a source of high-quality deal flow.
At the regional level, the program strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in the Middle East’s innovation economy. Competition among Gulf states to attract and retain talent and capital is intense, and initiatives that offer genuine international exposure give the Kingdom a distinct advantage. For Saudi founders, the opportunity to spend time in Paris, learn from European operators, and build relationships with global investors is a powerful incentive to build their companies at home rather than relocating abroad. This helps retain talent within the Kingdom while simultaneously connecting it to global networks.
The program also has implications for Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and economic ties with Europe. Innovation and entrepreneurship have become important dimensions of international relations, and programs like “10 From Saudi” create people-to-people and business-to-business links that complement traditional trade and investment relationships. By facilitating the entry of Saudi startups into European markets, the Kingdom is deepening its economic engagement with the continent in a way that is mutually beneficial and forward-looking.
Economic and Strategic Significance
Why is this program strategically important for Saudi Arabia’s economy? Small and medium enterprises are increasingly recognized as engines of job creation and diversification, and technology startups in particular have the potential to generate high-value employment and exportable intellectual property. By helping promising enterprises scale internationally, the program contributes directly to the goal of building a more diversified, knowledge-based economy. The six technology tracks align with sectors identified in national strategies as priorities for future growth.
The program also addresses a common challenge faced by startups in emerging ecosystems: the gap between domestic success and international expansion. Many companies that thrive in their home market struggle to navigate unfamiliar regulatory environments, cultural differences, and investor expectations abroad. By providing structured exposure to the European ecosystem, “10 From Saudi” reduces that gap and increases the likelihood that Saudi startups will succeed on the global stage. This, in turn, can attract more venture capital into the Kingdom, as investors see a clearer path to exits and scale.
Furthermore, the collaboration between the Social Development Bank and the Saudi Investment Bank demonstrates how financial institutions can work together to support innovation. SDB brings its experience in nurturing entrepreneurs and its deep understanding of the Kingdom’s startup landscape, while SAIB contributes financial resources and banking expertise. This division of labor allows each institution to focus on its strengths while collectively delivering a program that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does “10 From Saudi” connect to Saudi Vision 2030? The program is a direct expression of the Vision’s objectives of diversifying the economy and developing promising sectors. By empowering entrepreneurs and facilitating their entry into international markets, it supports the creation of a vibrant private sector that can generate jobs and reduce reliance on oil revenues. The emphasis on technology tracks such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and climate tech aligns with the Vision’s focus on innovation and sustainability as drivers of future prosperity.
Moreover, the program reflects the Vision’s ambition to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for talent, investment, and enterprise. It builds on years of investment in education, digital infrastructure, and regulatory reform that have made it easier to start and grow a business in the Kingdom. As the selected enterprises travel from Riyadh to Paris, they carry with them not only their own ambitions but also the story of a nation transforming its economy. Their success will be measured in markets, partnerships, and jobs, and it will contribute to the broader narrative of a Kingdom that is open for business and ready to compete on the world stage.
20 Questions
Q1. What is the “10 From Saudi” program?
A1. It is a specialized international track that brings together 10 promising Saudi enterprises to accelerate their growth and prepare them for expansion into European markets, operated by the Social Development Bank and sponsored by the Saudi Investment Bank.
Q2. Which organizations are behind the program?
A2. The program is supported and sponsored by the Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) and operated by the Social Development Bank (SDB), beginning at “Jada 30” in Riyadh and continuing at Incubateur HEC Paris at STATION F.
Q3. Where does the program take place?
A3. It starts at “Jada 30,” one of the Social Development Bank’s initiatives in Riyadh, and then continues at the Incubateur HEC Paris at STATION F, one of the world’s largest startup campuses in Paris, France.
Q4. What is STATION F?
A4. STATION F is a major startup campus located in Paris, France, described as one of the world’s largest. It hosts hundreds of startups and provides access to investors, mentors, and corporate partners from across Europe.
Q5. How many startups are participating?
A5. Ten promising enterprises have been selected to participate in the program, chosen based on criteria focused on the readiness of their business models, their teams’ execution capabilities, and their potential for commercial expansion.
Q6. What technology tracks are targeted?
A6. The program targets startups across six technology tracks: fintech, artificial intelligence and data, healthtech, climate tech, logistics tech, and gaming, all of which align with Saudi Arabia’s strategic priorities.
Q7. What activities are included in the program?
A7. The program includes workshops, advisory sessions, and meetings with investors, experts, and entrepreneurs. It also provides opportunities to connect with companies and institutions across Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
Q8. What are the selection criteria for startups?
A8. Enterprises are selected based on the readiness of their business models, their teams’ execution capabilities, and their potential for commercial expansion, ensuring participants can make the most of the program and enter international markets.
Q9. What benefits do participating startups receive?
A9. Participants gain access to global expertise, forge strategic relationships with investors and international companies, and explore opportunities for growth worldwide, strengthening their competitiveness and building commercial and investment partnerships.
Q10. How does the program support Saudi Vision 2030?
A10. It aligns with Vision 2030’s objectives of diversifying the economy and developing promising sectors by empowering entrepreneurs, expanding opportunities for startups, and strengthening their links with global markets.
Q11. What is the role of the Social Development Bank?
A11. SDB operates the program and has created an integrated ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurship, going beyond financing to develop organizational capabilities, strengthen investment readiness, and build business networks for Saudi enterprises.
Q12. What is the role of the Saudi Investment Bank?
A12. SAIB supports and sponsors the program, contributing financial resources and banking expertise. Its involvement exemplifies collaboration between the development finance and banking sectors to support the entrepreneurial economy.
Q13. Why is European market expansion important for Saudi startups?
A13. Europe offers a large, sophisticated market with deep capital pools and advanced technology ecosystems. Expansion there helps Saudi startups scale, access new customers, and build credibility with international investors and partners.
Q14. How does this program help the Saudi startup ecosystem?
A14. By connecting Saudi enterprises with global innovation and investment ecosystems, the program raises the profile of the Kingdom’s startup scene, attracts international venture capital, and encourages talent to build companies at home.
Q15. What is “Jada 30”?
A15. “Jada 30” is one of the Social Development Bank’s initiatives in Riyadh. It serves as the starting point for the “10 From Saudi” program before participants travel to Paris for the international track.
Q16. How does the program reflect Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification?
A16. The program supports high-growth technology sectors such as fintech, AI, and climate tech, which are central to diversifying the economy away from oil and building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven private sector.
Q17. What kind of partnerships can participants build?
A17. Participants can build commercial and investment partnerships with European companies, investors, and institutions. These relationships are intended to contribute to their long-term growth and international market entry.
Q18. Is the program limited to certain types of companies?
A18. The program focuses on startups in six technology tracks: fintech, artificial intelligence and data, healthtech, climate tech, logistics tech, and gaming. Selection is based on business model readiness and execution capability.
Q19. How does the program strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global role?
A19. By sending Saudi startups to a leading European innovation hub, the program showcases the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial talent, deepens economic ties with Europe, and positions Saudi Arabia as a global player in technology and innovation.
Q20. What is the long-term goal of “10 From Saudi”?
A20. The long-term goal is to help Saudi enterprises succeed internationally, build lasting commercial and investment partnerships, and contribute to the diversification and modernization of the Kingdom’s economy in line with Vision 2030.
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