Value Maker Studio (VMS) has recently unveiled its ‘Bridge’ Program, a strategic initiative designed to bolster entrepreneurial endeavors across the Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The program is set to collaborate with 50 emerging companies and a host of pioneering entities in both nations, including the Saudi National Program for Information Technology Development, USAID’s Egypt Ventures, implemented by DAI, the Young Entrepreneurs Network (YEN), the national partner ‘Intilaq’, the community investment partner ‘Arooq’, the ‘Edventures’ incubator, and ‘EYouth’.
Moataz Abu Onq, the founder and CEO of VMS, stated that the Bridge Program aims to enhance cooperative ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the realm of entrepreneurship. It endeavors to empower entrepreneurs, guide Egyptian startups towards growth, regional and international expansion, and contribute to economic development and job creation. The program will also facilitate Egyptian startups’ entry into the Saudi market.
In its inaugural cycle, the program received 500 applications from Egyptian startups operating in 12 different sectors. After a rigorous selection process, 50 were chosen to participate in a three-day training program featuring specialized workshops in entrepreneurship, management, marketing, investment, presentation, and negotiation skills, led by experts in the field.
Abu Onq announced the selection of the top five startups, each awarded a fully-funded four-day trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with investors, aiming to empower them to launch into the Saudi market. Additionally, two companies will receive a free license for company registration in Saudi Arabia from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport. Furthermore, Arooq will extend support to environmentally and socially focused companies while ‘Exits’ will provide all participating firms with access to its suite of programs. Following the program’s debut, a series of international tours is planned, with the United Kingdom and Iraq being the next destinations in collaboration with strategic partners such as the Trade Investment Company and Capita.
The Venture Studio Program is recognized as a pioneering entrepreneurship initiative that focuses on building, operating, supporting, and investing in the most ambitious entrepreneurs and inventors globally. It possesses a diverse set of resources, expertise, systems, and relationships aimed at supporting startups, accelerating ideas, mitigating risks, and enhancing their chances of overcoming challenges and achieving success.
