The Biban Forum 23, organized by the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises "Monsha'at,” achieved a record-breaking value of agreements and launches, totalling more than 52 billion Saudi riyals (approximately $13.8 billion) over the course of five days. The forum attracted over 145,000 visitors.
Under the theme "Opportunities that Create Entrepreneurship," the forum concluded its activities today, presenting numerous important opportunities and activities that support the rapid development of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship sector in the Kingdom.
"Monsha'at" signed cooperation agreements with Saudi National Bank (Alahli), Arab National Bank, SAB Bank, Alinma Bank, Bank Al Bilad, Al Jabr Finance, AlAmthal Financing, and Abdul Latif Jameel Finance. The aim of these agreements is to provide financing programs and products for SMEs. Additionally, "Monsha'at" renewed its agreements with Al Rajhi Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, and Riyadh Bank, with amounts reaching 11 billion Saudi riyals. The Small and Medium Enterprises Bank announced during the forum the provision of financing products for SMEs worth 10.5 billion Saudi riyals over a period of three years.
Furthermore, the SME Financing Guarantee Program (Kafalah) signed agreements worth 5.88 billion Saudi riyals. The Social Development Bank also announced the allocation of 24 billion Saudi riyals for financing entrepreneurs, small and startup enterprises, and freelancers over a period of three years.
On the last day, "Monsha'at" signed memoranda of understanding with various government entities, including a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Sport to establish incubators and organize challenges in the sports sector. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Real Estate Development Fund to launch a development program supporting SMEs operating in the real estate development sector, enabling them to contribute to comprehensive urban development in different regions of the Kingdom. In addition to that, as an extension of "Monsha'at's" agreement with the Ministry of Energy, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Saudi Automotive Services Company (SASCO) and Al-Drees Petroleum and Transport Services Company to enable brands to expand in the franchise model of fuel stations through the Franchise Centre.
Monsha'at signed a memorandum of understanding with several companies, including Saudi Downtown, with the aim of supporting and empowering SMEs. Another memorandum of understanding was signed between Monsha'at and Nine66, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in the electronic gaming sector. Monsha'at also signed memoranda of understanding with Gartner, Silicon Valley, and Slingshot as service providers for rapidly growing enterprises in the "Tomoh" program.
In addition, the Coffee Up platform concluded a Series "B" investment round worth 15 million dollar, led by Waed Ventures and the Chinese EWTP. An agreement was also signed between the Arab Links Foundation and the Korean 
Company Heeya Works, which includes a joint cooperation to expand the Korean Company's business in the Kingdom with a value of 5 million Saudi riyals.
The forum witnessed a significant gathering of entrepreneurs from various countries around the world. It included more than 300 dialogue sessions and workshops, with over 350 international and local speakers participating.
Prominent government officials and international figures were hosted during the forum, including the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, and the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail.
The Biban Forum also hosted international speakers including the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups in South Korea, Lee Young, the Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of YouTube, Steve Chen, the Entrepreneur and Chairman of GEN, Jeff Hoffman, the Founder and CEO of Shazam, Chris Barton, the Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law in the Office of Legal Affairs, Anna Joubin-Bret, and the Founder of the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, Professor Stéphane Garelli.
More than 90 potential entities, service providers, and digital solution supporters participated in the Biban E-commerce Gate. The gate witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding with various local and international entities. Notable among them was a memorandum of understanding between Monsha'at and GoDaddy, through which the company provides qualification and training programs, discounted services, and consultations for startups. There was also an agreement between Monsha'at and Zoho, where the company offers free services for e-commerce startups. Additionally, there was an agreement between the E-commerce Council and the National Centre for E-Learning to provide 5,000 training and qualification opportunities for human resources in e-commerce supporting sectors. At the same time, 12 projects graduated from the E-commerce Accelerator, and the second batch of the accelerator was launched. The E-commerce Theatre presented a scientific program with the participation of over 50 local and international speakers and 40 workshops.
In the Investors' Hall, approximately 2,000 local and international investors and entrepreneurs seeking direct investments in their startups were present. The Investors' Circuit saw the participation of over 550 entrepreneurs who showcased their projects to investors, resulting in preliminary approvals from investors totalling over 30 million Saudi riyals.
It is worth noting that Biban 23 hosted the final qualifications for the Entrepreneurship World Cup, and on the fourth day of the forum, the winners of the cup were announced. The Saudi platform "White Helmet" was crowned the world champion of entrepreneurship, with prizes totalling one million dollars.
Biban 23 also witnessed the Draper Aladdin competition with the participation of over 52 start-ups competing for an investment of up to 500,000 dollars. The winner also had the opportunity to promote their venture on the television program "Meet the Drapers." Additionally, the Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz Entrepreneurship Award was launched, along with several hackathons and prizes totalling 10 million riyals, aimed at developing and supporting business and innovative projects in the Kingdom.