104 sports-related ideas filtered out to 8 finalists who will enter the program’s final stage in the incubation track
The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has congratulated the four sports-related entrepreneurs championing SFA-related challenges who have emerged as successful finalists in the first phase of the Tech Champions initiative. Supported by the SFA, the latest version of the Tech Champions initiative kicked off in March 2021 to solicit and develop promising ideas across the four verticals of sports, culture, fintech and endowments.
The incubation track of the Tech Champions program is designed to support entrepreneurs in taking good ideas from conception all the way to turning them into successful startups. Progression through the Tech Champions program involves multiple phases, with each phase filtering out applicants to leave only the best ideas standing.
The sports vertical of Tech Champions started with an initial 104 promising ideas, which were eventually short-listed to eight finalists ready to enter the program’s incubator. Out of these finalists, four are working on tech innovations directly related to the SFA’s activities and challenges.
Saudi entrepreneur Lamees AlHarthi is championing an app-based solution that will offer maps, routes, and instant chat facilities for Saudi Arabia’s cyclists, together with a marketplace to buy and sell gear. The app aims to help and grow the country’s cycling communities by providing them with solutions to many of the problems they face: lack of cycling locations, limited knowledge of cycling routes, and few bike purchase or rental options.
Saudi national Haifa Alzughaibi is developing an integrated marketplace that offers products, tools and expertise for the rehabilitation and training of athletes, and support for people with disabilities. It connects specialists with people suffering disabilities for better care outcomes through consultation, follow-up, and evaluation.
Meanwhile, Ali Al-Qarawi is working on a solution to gather people for team sports and activities, helping enthusiasts co-ordinate matches easily. The Saudi national’s tech solution relies on creating virtual rooms for a given time and activity, which can be joined by people interested in participating.
Ahmed Bu Khamseen is creating an app-based platform linking certified trainers with gyms and facilities that they can use to further their training business. The Saudi national’s solution helps facilities generate revenue in off-peak hours while giving trainers access to valuable training space and equipment.
SFA’s support of the Tech Champions program is part of its strategy to stimulate Saudi Arabia’s sports economy while encouraging grass-roots innovation that enables healthier and more active lifestyles. It also furthers the SFA’s support of the Quality of Life program mandated in the Saudi Vision 2030. The Quality of Life program calls for increasing the number of people undertaking regular physical activity in the Kingdom to 40% by 2030, and the Federation is helping meet this target by facilitating sporting opportunities, initiating campaigns encouraging exercise, and encouraging technological innovation knitting sporting communities together.
Related: SFA Participates In 2nd Edition Of The Tech Champions Program Under The Ministry Of Sports
