Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) announced the next phase of its chapter in Saudi Arabia which will work alongside the leading entrepreneurial support organizations throughout the Kingdom to foster job creation and economic growth. The announcement occurred as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Riyadh, a gathering of startup champions from more than 150 nations between March 27 and 30, 2022.
“Saudi Arabia is leapfrogging economies around the world in becoming an influential entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem,” said Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of GEN. “It’s an exciting time to be starting a new business in Saudi Arabia and we are excited to help in this journey with GEN’s programs, knowledge and networks earned from accelerating other ecosystems around the world.”
GEN in Saudi Arabia’s Board of Directors will include many of those who have been key to the growth of the organization’s activities in the Kingdom over the last five years. Saudi Arabia will join a network of 85 national GEN operations that run programs, build local entrepreneurship ecosystems and share best practices worldwide.
Marwan Jamal was appointed managing director and is returning to Saudi Arabia after spending more than three years guiding GEN New Zealand – expanding it to 200 members and six trustees in three years. Thanks to GEN New Zealand and its partners, the country now has a startup council advising policymakers and the first-ever government minister responsible for startups.
Jamal comes to the role with 14 years of experience supporting founders and building national entrepreneurship ecosystems in New Zealand, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the MENA region. He has also run multiple accelerators and entrepreneur support programs contributing to the development of more than 50 startups across various sectors and regions. He previously led the entrepreneurship portfolio for the King Salman Youth Center, supporting young entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia.
“I look forward to contributing to the exciting growth of entrepreneurship in my home country,” said Jamal. “In Saudi Arabia, GEN will empower and co-build a support system for all founders and help fuel further strengthening of the ecosystems throughout the nation.”
Saudi Arabia is an emerging startup hub in the MENA region. In 2020, Riyadh’s startup ecosystem was valued at $1 billion (USD), with total early-stage funding hitting $146 million (USD), according to the 2021 Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Beyond hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, GEN will expand investment into new programs and initiatives throughout Saudi Arabia in 2022. To learn more about its mission, leadership, and upcoming events, visit genglobal.org/saudi-arabia.