Riyadh Valley Company (RVC), a strategic investment Company, participated in the Saudi International SMEs forum, organized by Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) and Saudi Credit & Savings Bank (SCSB) which was held at Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 28-29 May, 2013. RVC showcased its services & capabilities at a booth to promote awareness about the offerings that RVC provides to young entrepreneurs of the country as well as to partner investors in strategic investments. RVC exhibited at the venue to pronounce their 14 portfolio companies, achievements, capabilities in creating financial and strategic returns.
Dr. Rasheed AlZahrani, CEO, RVC, said, “It is a pleasure to be part of such a crucial forum which intends to advocate the present and the future initiatives in order to direct and put in practice engaging and efficient SME support programs. Moreover, we are here to support this leadership initiative taken by the SIDF and the SCSB in leading the way for bringing the revolution in this level of industry”.
As this Forum brought together industrial houses, banks, entrepreneurs, futurists and policy makers to debate and recommend the best way of empowering Saudi’s economy through transforming the Small and medium industries, the RVC’s CEO, Dr. Rasheed AlZahrani had been invited as a speaker for the session ‘Unconventional Programs in SMEs funding’ where he presented the importance of Venture Capital to bridge the financing gap for start-ups. He also showcased the achievements of RVC in supporting the launch of several startups by providing venture capital and also the management support and oversight to these high potential technology startups. RVC’s booth attracted around 300 visitors including aspiring entrepreneurs who needed financial or commercial consultancy, it was able to attract numerous start-up owners who were enthusiastic in gathering knowledge on the services offered and achievements of RVC. The two-day event saw more than 700 participants, and featured 40+ speakers in talks, interviews, panels and more.
As stated by Mazen AlJasser, GM – MARCOM, “RVC is powered enough to provide every required support to a promising startup and has all capabilities to enable any small or medium startup achieve big returns in the commercial world”.
The Forum discussed the mechanisms and ways of supporting the small and medium-sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia within the multiple economic and social variables by highlighting the efforts of the private sector and major companies in supporting and financing SMEs and traditional programs to finance these types of initiatives, in addition to the presentation of some successful international experiences in supporting the sector, and ways to take advantage of them.
About RVC
Being one of the Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to support the adoption of innovation culture, foster entrepreneurship, leverage the kingdom’s research capabilities, mobilize, engage and oversight investments in knowledge-based sectors, RVC invests in sectors that best serve the national interest and businesses that appear to have the greatest capability and commitment to succeed. Thus, the booth of RVC was most visited by startup entrepreneurs.
Riyadh Valley Company is providing generous support to Sustainable Resources, Healthcare and ICT because of the nature of their development and settlement in technology. Its interest in these technologies is considerably varied with a list that includes Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation, Water Desalination, Water Reclamation, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, ICT technologies. With a significant surge in these technologies, Riyadh Valley Company expects the areas to be one of its most important and diversified interests in near future.
Riyadh Valley Company can be seen as a hub in the heart of a rich and generously branched network. At the network’s closest level, Riyadh Valley Company is directly connected to The King Saud University’s innovation system, including the Prince Salman Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation Centers, the Riyadh Techno Valley Science Park, the Riyadh Incubation Center and the Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing (IPTL) Program.
As an investment arm of King Saud University, Riyadh Valley Company coordinates with various KSU entities, ensuring the best investment use of KSU assets. This cooperation has led to many worthwhile results, some having contributed to solid startups.
Riyadh Valley Company is managing a growing network of major regional and international business and investment partners. MIDROC, ZAMIL Group, CERNER, CRISTAL GLOBAL and SHELL-Intilaaqah are some of its valued partners.
Such a huge consistently growing and pulsing network is constantly feeding Riyadh Valley Company and its partners with opportunities and successes.