Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at), has launched the "Artificial Intelligence in Umrah Competition" in partnership with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, as well as several government and private entities.

The competition aims to support entrepreneurs in designing smart solutions, offering innovative technological products. It also serves to foster  national talents, simulates innovation,  and increase the number of start-up companies specializing in AI. By addressing the challenges in Umrah sector, this initiative aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in supporting and developing the sector.

Through the participation of innovative products, the competition seeks to contribute to solving the existing challenges in Umrah sector. Each innovative product represents an opportunity for a viable and scalable business venture in the market. The competition will cover several tracks in which participants can engage, including communication in the languages of the pilgrims and crowd management, catering and support services, data management and statistics. In addition,  an open track for other innovative solutions that serve the guests of Allah during the performance of Umrah rituals.

The competition will feature various activities, including intensive consultations with AI experts, dialogues, meetings, and diverse workshops with competition partners. Moreover, it will offer financial prizes totalling up to 500,000 Saudi riyals. The prizes are aimed at supporting the development of business models and plans, facilitating product and service development, establishing start-ups, and enabling entry into the market. Additionally, the competition presents a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs with technical expertise in the field of AI to explore multiple investment opportunities.

It is worth mentioning that Monsha’at offers various specialized programs through its AI Center to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in various fields, including AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, and IoT throughout the Kingdom.

This includes fostering an innovation culture by providing technical support in building product prototypes, offering consultations, accessing the Innovation Lab, and providing workspaces for selected teams after the completion of initial prototypes. Monsha’at also enables them to communicate with decision-makers and have access to investment opportunities.