Salam sponsors DeveGo25 as a Strategic Sponsor, backing Saudi Arabia’s Entrepreneurship & Modern Business Practices Forum from 21 to 23 December 2025 at the King Abdulaziz Convention Center in Riyadh. Etihad Salam Telecom Company announced the partnership on 20 December, positioning the telecom provider alongside the Social Development Bank (SDB) to support entrepreneurs and early-stage startups through panel discussions, workshops, and a new competitive initiative.

The forum operates under the patronage of Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Chairman of SDB’s Board of Directors. It brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to explore modern work models aligned with Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals.

Key Takeaways

  • Salam sponsors DeveGo25 forum running 21-23 December at King Abdulaziz Convention Center, Riyadh
  • New Salam Award for Promising Projects accepts 60-second pitch videos via Instagram hashtag #SalamAward
  • Forum organized with Social Development Bank under patronage of Human Resources and Social Development Minister
  • Event targets entrepreneurs, startups, and business leaders to advance Vision 2030 entrepreneurship pillar

Salam Award Targets Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

The Salam Award for Promising Projects invites entrepreneurs and early-stage startups to submit innovative ideas through a short-form video pitch format. Participants create 60-second videos explaining their business concept, publish the content on Instagram using the hashtag #SalamAward, and await evaluation by a review committee monitoring the tag.

“At Salam, entrepreneurship is a core focus of how we think about growth and long-term impact,” said Ahmed Al-Anqari, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Salam Telecom Company. “Supporting platforms like DeveGo 25 allows us to contribute to Vision 2030 by enabling entrepreneurs, encouraging new business creation, and helping build a more diversified and resilient Saudi economy.”

Winners selected by the committee receive invitations to Riyadh for official recognition at the forum. The company did not disclose prize details or the number of awards to be granted. For more on how Saudi telecoms are supporting digital entrepreneurship, see our [[internal:saudi-telecom-csr-initiatives|telecom corporate social responsibility overview]].

DeveGo25 Program Features Panel Discussions and Workshops

DeveGo25 offers panel discussions and workshops designed to translate business ideas into scalable opportunities. The forum’s collaboration with the Social Development Bank provides access to financing resources and mentorship programs for qualifying entrepreneurs.

According to the [[external:https://sdb.gov.sa|Social Development Bank]], the institution focuses on enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through funding, training, and business development services. The forum extends these services through live engagement with prospective project owners.

What’s Next for Saudi Entrepreneurship Support

Salam sponsors DeveGo25 as part of broader private-sector engagement in Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem. The telecom company, which operates fixed, mobile, and enterprise ICT solutions, positions the sponsorship within its Vision 2030 alignment strategy.

Entrepreneurs seeking to participate in the Salam Award for Promising Projects must publish Instagram pitch videos by the submission deadline, which the company has not specified publicly. For a complete guide to Saudi startup registration and funding options, see our [[internal:saudi-startup-registration-guide|entrepreneur compliance checklist]].