One hundred startups representing 46 countries around the world have qualified for the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2025 global Finals, which will be hosted in Riyadh as part of Biban Forum 2025, organized by the Saudi Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) from November 5 to 8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center, under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunities.”

The Entrepreneurship World Cup is the largest global competition for entrepreneurs, organized by Monsha’at in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk). Participants will compete for prizes exceeding USD 1.5 million in an event that brings together some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

The competition’s registration phase attracted over 10,300 applicants from more than 169 countries. All submissions underwent several stages of evaluation and judging from the past May, from which 250 startups qualified for a virtual bootcamp held in collaboration with Esade Ramon Llull University in Spain. Ultimately, the top 100 startups were selected to advance to the global finals in Riyadh.

Among the most prominent countries participating in the competition are Saudi Arabia, the United States, South Korea, Canada, Singapore, France, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

The finalists span a wide range of key sectors, including information and communications technology, health and social services, diverse business services, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, manufacturing, and space industries.

The competition plays a major role in empowering entrepreneurs worldwide by enabling them to present their ideas to investors and venture capital firms, and to benefit from specialized training, mentoring, and networking programs. These initiatives enhance their competitiveness and help transform innovative ideas into scalable and globally viable businesses.

Hosting the Entrepreneurship World Cup Finals as part of Biban Forum 2025 underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at the global level. It also reflects the Kingdom’s advanced position in attracting international startups, investments, and pioneering ideas — all in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at building a diversified and sustainable economy.