A total of 100 entrepreneurial projects representing 46 countries have qualified for the global finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2025, to be hosted in Riyadh as part of Biban Forum 2025, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) from November 5 to 8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center, under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities.”

The Entrepreneurship World Cup EWC is the world’s largest 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 cash prizes exceeding $1.5 million in an event that brings together leading entrepreneurs, investors, and global experts highlighting the Kingdom’s growing position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

The competition received more than 10,300 applications from over 169 countries during the registration phase. Since May, entries have undergone multiple rounds of evaluation and judging, narrowing the field to 250 projects that participated in a virtual training camps organized in partnership with Esade Ramon Llull University. From these, the top 100 projects were selected to compete in the finals.

Among the leading participating countries are: Saudi Arabia, the United States, South Korea, Canada, Singapore, France, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
The qualifying startups represent a diverse range of key sectors, including information and communications technology, healthcare and social services, diversified services, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, industry, and space.

The competition plays a vital role in empowering entrepreneurs worldwide by providing a platform to present their ideas before investors and venture capital funds, while benefiting from training, mentorship, and networking programs that enhance their competitiveness and help transform innovative concepts into scalable global ventures.

Hosting the Entrepreneurship World Cup finals as part of Biban Forum 2025 highlighting the Kingdom’s leading role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship globally. It also reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing appeal as a destination for international startups, investments, and entrepreneurial talent, all within a dynamic economic environment aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a diversified and sustainable economy.