Entrepreneurship Forum in Gaming, Esports Draws Strong Investor Engagement

Riyadh, August 20, 2025, SPA -- The Entrepreneurship Forum in Gaming and Esports, held today as part of this year's Esports World Cup tournament at Amazon Arena, Boulevard City, witnessed strong interaction from investors, creators, and sector enthusiasts, with the participation of prominent thought leaders, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs.
Following the address of Saudi Esports Federation president Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the forum continued its sessions, fueling enthusiasm among participants with discussions on key topics, most notably digital entrepreneurship and the role of innovation in advancing the gaming industry.
General manager of “CODE” Digital Entrepreneurship Center at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Al-Shamrani, reviewed mechanisms for empowering startups and broadening support frameworks. He highlighted innovative initiatives that include funding, workspaces, mentorship programs, and incentive packages exceeding SAR 345 million. These initiatives have benefited more than 39,000 participants, created 4,000 new jobs, and supported over 1,400 startups.
The forum concluded with a project pitch session, where three entrepreneurs presented their investment ideas before a panel of investors in an interactive setting, with each given three minutes to showcase their projects.
The global gaming industry today represents a promising sector valued at more than $200 billion, with an annual growth rate of 9 percent. In Saudi Arabia, the sector contributes effectively to the national economy through more than 250 specialized companies and an increasing share in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This reflects the Kingdom’s steady strides toward strengthening its global position in this vibrant industry, in line with Vision 2030 objectives to build a diversified economy and a thriving ecosystem for innovation and future industries.
-- SPA