Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia’s startup den returns in 2025

SAUDI ARABIA – The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia is bringing back its Startup Den for 2025, providing hospitality entrepreneurs with opportunities for exposure, mentorship, funding, and prizes, including incubation support.

The Startup Den has become a highlight of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia and FHS World, offering hospitality entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their business models to a distinguished panel of judges and investors.

Applications are now open for the competition, with ten finalists receiving complimentary access to the event and the opportunity to present their concepts to an expert panel.

This year’s judges include Fahad Al Obailan, Group CEO of BAAN Holding; Khalid Alsatti, Senior Specialist at UN Tourism; Sundip Patel, CEO of Ezdaher Financing Company; and Ahmad Arab, Founding Partner of Horwath HTL Saudi.

FHS Saudi Arabia continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and forward-thinking discussions, supporting the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 tourism transformation.

With major global events such as Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 approaching, fostering entrepreneurship remains essential to the hospitality sector’s growth.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS organizer The Bench, emphasized the importance of initiatives like Startup Den in providing a platform for businesses with solutions that could redefine the industry.

Each finalist will have five minutes to present their business model, data, and market potential, followed by a two-minute Q&A session with the judges.

The winner will be announced during FHS Saudi Arabia. In addition to the competition, startups can gain enhanced exposure through a dedicated exhibition stand at a specially discounted rate.

The competition is open to hospitality-focused businesses that meet specific criteria.

Eligible companies must be less than three years old, generate under US$1 million in annual revenue, employ between two and 30 people, and have secured between US$450,000 and US$500,000 in seed or early-stage funding.

While the primary focus is on startups within Saudi Arabia, applications from international companies are also welcomed.

The winner of the FHS Saudi Arabia 2024 Startup Den was Sam Payrovi, founder of ARKHAUS, a pioneering floating social club concept.

Entrepreneurs interested in participating can apply and explore past winners through the Future Hospitality Summit website.

FHS Saudi Arabia will take place at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh from May 11 to 13, 2025, under the theme “Where Vision Shapes Opportunity.” The event is expected to welcome over 1,400 delegates.

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