What if competing on a global stage did not just elevate your visibility but opened the door to expanding into one of the fastest-growing startup markets in the world?
For finalists of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC), that opportunity is real.
Since 2019, EWC has brought together over 420,000 entrepreneurs from 191 countries. It has awarded $6.5 million in equity-free prizes and connected founders to investors, mentors, and global networks. For the Top 100 startups, the journey extends far beyond the finals stage in Riyadh.
It becomes a launchpad for market expansion.
Why Saudi Arabia and Why Now?
Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as one of the most ambitious and capitalized startup ecosystems in the MENA region.
- Fastest-growing country in the Global Startup Ecosystem 2025
- Over $1.7B raised by startups in 2025
- 45% of total MENA venture capital activity
- A population of 35+ million, 70% under the age of 35
- Strategic geographic location connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa
- Large-scale national and giga-projects actively seeking innovation
- Targeting 65% private-sector contribution to GDP under Vision 2030
The opportunity is clear.
However, entering a new market, particularly one with a distinct regulatory and business environment, can feel complex.
That is where the EWC Soft-Landing Program comes in.
More Than a Competition: A Structured Pathway to Expansion
The EWC Soft-Landing Program is selectively offered to high-potential finalists interested in expanding into Saudi Arabia.
It provides structured, end-to-end support from legal establishment to ecosystem integration, delivered by a dedicated team working closely with founders throughout the journey.
The goal is not simply company registration.
It is market entry with clarity, compliance, and commercial direction.
Phase One: Establishing Your Legal Presence
The first step is building a compliant and fully operational legal foundation.
Support includes:
- Complimentary commercial and legal consultations
- Guidance through the Entrepreneurial Investment License process
- 100% foreign ownership pathway
- Company registration and commercial documentation
- Assistance with regulatory registrations and government platforms
- Corporate bank account facilitation
- Founder visa and residency procedures
Significant in-kind support is provided to eligible startups to reduce friction and simplify early-stage entry.
Multiple EWC 2025 finalists have already secured their Entrepreneurial Investment Licenses through this pathway, transforming global recognition into tangible market presence.
Phase Two: From Establishment to Scale
Legal setup is only the beginning.
The second phase focuses on traction, integration, and revenue generation.
Founders receive support in:
- Market and competitor analysis
- Go-to-market strategy development
- Customer segmentation and positioning
- Introductions to relevant ecosystem stakeholders
- Access to enablement programs and incentives, subject to eligibility
- Curated investor exposure
- Strategic partnership development
- Free or discounted co-working spaces, subject to availability
- Participation in future flagship events and ceremonies
Startups are not left to navigate the ecosystem alone.
The objective is clear: move from establishment to validation to scale.
A Structured Advantage
International expansion often involves trial and error.
The EWC Soft-Landing Program provides a structured alternative, helping founders avoid common missteps while accelerating market understanding and commercial activation.
For globally minded startups, Saudi Arabia represents:
Capital access
Large-scale market demand
Public-private innovation initiatives
Gateway access to the broader Middle East and GCC region
Through EWC, expansion becomes not just possible but strategically supported.
From Stage to Scale
The Entrepreneurship World Cup has always been about empowering entrepreneurs at every stage.
For those who reach the finals, it can also mark the beginning of long-term expansion in one of the world’s fastest-transforming economies.
Compete on a global stage.
Established in a transforming economy.
Scale in a high-investment innovation ecosystem.
