Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has partnered with Google for Startups and The Garage project, to launch a tech start-up accelerator program to attract 100 tech start-ups to set up base in KSA.
The Garage project is the fruit of cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones.
The Garage project works as a business model that combines business incubators and accelerators with everything that technology companies need for success and growth. The first pillar the Garage Project is Garage Disrupt, which is a monthly event that brings emerging technology companies together with investors and in the presence of government and private sectors. The second pillar is Garage Plus, which is considered a global business accelerator, and the third is Garage headquarters, which provides male and female entrepreneurs with all the tools necessary for the success of their projects.
The cooperation announcement was made during the 4th edition of The Garage Disrupt event in Riyadh KSA. The cooperation will entail the launching of four business accelerators to enable 100 digital and technology start-ups to open their headquarters in Saudi.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha stated,“ This partnership with Google for Startups is an additional confirmation of the Kingdom’s position as a regional hub for technology and innovation, as it is the largest technology market in the region with a volume exceeding $40 billion, and a pivotal centre for attracting talent and digital innovation. The partnership between The Garage and Google for Startups is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to empower male and female entrepreneurs to continue regional leadership through innovative digital solutions and applications.”
Salim Obeid, regional officer for developer relations in the at Google MENA, added “ We are happy to be cooperating with the Garage project to contribute to supporting local start-ups in the Kingdom and enabling them to develop at the local and regional levels. We aspire through the Google for Startups program to encourage start-up communities around the world to benefit from each other’s expertise and share knowledge and resources for growth.”
