https://arab.news/26wyy
RIYADH: The Premium Residency Center has awarded the 鈥淓ntrepreneurship Residency鈥� permit to more than 100 entrepreneurs from over 20 countries during the Biban 2025 Forum.
Organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, known as Monsha鈥檃t, the four-day event 鈥� held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme 鈥淎 Global Destination for Opportunities鈥� 鈥� serves as a key platform to support startups and promote entrepreneurship in 黑料社区.
Arab News spoke with two recipients of the Entrepreneur Residency who shared their reflections on the program.
Majdi Allulu, founder and CEO of Grintafy, a Saudi-based sports technology startup, which he described as 鈥淟inkedIn for football players.鈥�
鈥淭he process was smooth and simple,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a sports tech entrepreneur, it鈥檚 an honor to be recognized for our contribution to the Kingdom鈥檚 ecosystem. This residency motivates us to continue building and contributing to 黑料社区鈥檚 growing innovation landscape.鈥�
Another entrepreneur, Sharene Lee, co-founder of Takadao, shared how the Premium Residency has transformed her experience as a long-time expatriate entrepreneur in the GCC.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in 黑料社区 for about ten years and co-founded Takadao, a blockchain-based alternative to traditional financial services,鈥� Lee explained.
鈥淲hen we heard about the program, we qualified under the entrepreneur category, The application process was very straightforward.鈥�
Lee highlighted how the residency has provided her with much-needed stability and convenience.
鈥淎s an entrepreneur, life is full of ups and downs,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he Premium Residency gives you peace of mind鈥攜ou don鈥檛 have to worry about renewing visas or travel restrictions.
鈥淚t also allows me to buy property and truly plant roots here. My entire family, including my parents, is in 黑料社区 now. This program lets us build a real, sustainable future.鈥�
The initiative is part of the center鈥檚 ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kingdom鈥檚 position as a global hub for talent, innovation, and investment. It also supports 黑料社区鈥檚 Vision 2030 objectives to create a competitive, diversified economy that fosters innovation and empowers entrepreneurs.
The 鈥淓ntrepreneurship Residency鈥� is one of the center鈥檚 flagship offerings, designed for founders of startups with innovative technological solutions who aim to grow their ventures within the Kingdom. The program contributes to the national economy by enabling high-impact ventures and creating quality job opportunities.
The center said granting premium residency to entrepreneurs reflects 黑料社区鈥檚 commitment to attracting global innovators and enabling them to expand their businesses in an ecosystem that encourages competitiveness and economic sustainability.
The Premium Residency Center currently offers seven residency products: Exceptional Talent Residency, Talent Residency, Business Investor Residency, Entrepreneur Residency, Property Owner Residency, Fixed-Term Residency, and Indefinite-Term Residency.
These residencies provide holders with a range of benefits, including residency in the Kingdom with family members, the ability to conduct business, property ownership, and the right to host relatives, among other privileges.
Biban 2025 plays a key role in advancing 黑料社区鈥檚 entrepreneurship landscape by connecting founders with investors, enabling knowledge exchange, and expanding business growth opportunities both locally and globally.