The Tech Champions program aims to enhance the role of tech entrepreneurs and community programs
The second edition of the Tech Champions program was launched under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), General Authority for Awqaf, and Fintech Saudi.
The program will see the role of tech entrepreneurs better contribute to the National Transformation Program 2020 (NTP) in a few key areas – by digitizing national sectors, raising the digital infrastructure indicators in the Kingdom, and contributing to efforts towards achieving the Saudi Vision 2030.
Following concerted efforts on the parts of the sectors of sports, culture, awqaf, and fintech in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Sports, SFA, General Authority for Awqaf and Fintech Saudi, the program aims to support emerging projects and programs, highlighting strategic initiatives to meet the challenges of said sectors, while simultaneously digitizing the services provided to better develop the digital economy.
Additionally, tech entrepreneurs will receive valuable, practical support from the program as they gain the necessary skills to ensure their projects’ success. Participation is open to any creative person within the Kingdom who would like to participate and attend remotely.
Participants will have to opportunity to choose between the incubator and accelerator stages, depending on which is the most relevant stream for them and their projects.
The incubator stream offers participants two phases: the first will address the challenges of the participants’ target sectors via a month of training and mentorship. The best 320 ideas will continue on to the second phase, which will see these entrepreneurs participate in three months of practical training guidance under the most revered local and international technology business experts.
Twelve emerging enterprises will also be able to participate in the accelerator track where they will receive intensive training and valuable advice while learning from the experience of the pioneers in local and international technical fields during the three months of the program.
Innovations in each track stand to earn rewards totaling SAR 1 million, while innovators with distinct ideas will also be honored at the conclusion of the program.
The SFA encourages every person across the Kingdom to include sports into their daily routines by promoting smart, accessible solutions to help them to adjust and customize exercises according to their individual needs. The overall performance athletes and non-athletes throughout the Kingdom is set to improve through developments in digital transformation to help build a healthy active sports community that is able to track their exercise and physical activity with the use of apps, one of which is offered by the SFA.
Entrepreneurs interested in participating in this year’s Technology Pioneers program can upload their existing projects or promising ideas on the program’s dedicated website, which provides all the resources and data required as well as a communication portal with the Program management team. Applications close on 25 April 2021.
