This program will provide top-tier mentorship, access to investors, and business development opportunities to help participants transform their ideas into successful ventures. The three-month accelerator program will culminate in an Investor Mixer and Pitch Competition, where finalists will showcase their businesses to industry experts, investors, and key stakeholders.

Hatem Samman, TikTok’s executive Director of Government Relations and Public Policy in Saudi Arabia, stated: “Startups and SMEs are vital to the Kingdom’s economic growth, and through this program, we are equipping young founders, particularly women, with the resources, mentorship, and exposure they need to succeed. With 55% of SMEs recognizing TikTok as a key motivator for young entrepreneurs and 61% reporting increased brand awareness, we see firsthand how digital platforms like TikTok are transforming the startup landscape in Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom continues its journey toward a thriving, diversified economy, we are proud to play a role in empowering the entrepreneurs of today to build the industries of tomorrow.”

Blossom Accelerator’s CEO and Founder, Emon Shakoor added: “Saudi Arabia is witnessing a groundbreaking shift, and entrepreneurship is at the heart of this transformation. The ‘TikTok x Blossom SME Empowerment Program’ is a testament to our commitment to inclusion, job creation, and fostering a thriving private sector aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. By empowering startups and SMEs, we are building the foundation for innovative companies in emerging sectors that will drive of our nation’s future. We are honored to partner with a global leader like TikTok to bring this vision to life, creating opportunities that will drive economic diversification, inspire new industries, and shape a resilient, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for generations to come.”

Applications for the ‘TikTok x Blossom SME Empowerment Program’ will open March 16, with selected startups set to begin their journey in June 2025. Entrepreneurs interested in participating can find more details and apply at http://www.blossom.sa/tiktok.

The post TikTok & Blossom launch SME empowerment program appeared first on My Startup World - Everything About the World of Startups!.

The entities hosted three workshops across Jeddah, Riyadh, and Khobar, with more than 100 participants across all the cities. Each workshop enabled the opportunity to foster connections among women from around the Kingdom, offering participants access to all-important learning and networking. The competition held at each workshop also provided the opportunity for one winner form each city to be granted the mentorship program.

Reima Sras, founder of Buthoor Tech, Munirah Alkadi, founder of Mawsim, and Sarah Albaiz, founder of Qantara Studio were selected as the competition’s three winners, each being enrolled on the innovative ‘Her Voice’ mentorship program facilitated by Blossom Accelerator.

Each participant was evaluated based on leadership, product viability in the market, business model strength, and other key criteria.

“As more Saudi women take the reins of leadership and drive the future of the Kingdom’s SME space, we must work to ensure that we continue pioneering innovative programs that bridge the entrepreneurship gender gap,” said Maria Medvedeva, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Mastercard. “At Mastercard, we believe collaboration is crucial to launching the effective platforms required to accomplish this goal, and we are pleased to have partnered with Saudia and Blossom Accelerator to empower even more women for season three of ‘Her Voice’. We look forward to seeing our mentees grow, flourish and thrive, realizing their considerable potential and serving as champions of Saudi female excellence.”

Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of Marketing at Saudia, stated: “As Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, we are deeply invested in the nation’s future and believe women are central to its success. Through ‘Her Voice,’ we empower female entrepreneurs to thrive, inspiring future generations and creating pathways for small businesses to prosper. By showcasing their remarkable stories on our in-flight entertainment system, we not only highlight their achievements but also reinforce Saudia’s commitment to promoting local content that fuels economic growth and social progress.”

“At Blossom Accelerator, we are proud to be a global leader in driving inclusive innovation, recognizing that diverse perspectives are key to unlocking economic potential and maximizing investment returns. Our mission is to empower female-led startups across the globe, equipping them with the essential tools and resources to excel in the competitive digital economy,” said Emon Shakoor, CEO & Founder. “We are thrilled to partner with Mastercard for the third season of ‘Her Voice,’ a strategic initiative aimed at amplifying the impact of women-led startups and SMEs. Through our comprehensive mentorship program, we provide participants with critical insights, invaluable experiences, and powerful connections to enhance their growth and attract investment.”

‘Her Voice’ season three shed an informative light on the stories of five guests — five inspiring women — showcasing how their love for their respective passions drove them to overcome the various hurdles they faced and attain unprecedented success.

The season focused on connecting people to their passions, with each episode exploring a different passion point, namely: “Gaming,” “Tech,” “Sustainability,” “Culinary,” and “Sport”. Over the course of each interview, guests recounted their personal and professional journeys in their own voices in conversation with the host, renowned Saudi actress and broadcaster, Danyah Shafei.

To tune into ‘Her Voice’ seasons, please click here: https://www.priceless.com/m/hervoice

The post Mastercard and Saudia announce winners of Her Voice appeared first on My Startup World - Everything About the World of Startups!.

Recognised by the Ministry of Investment (MISA), Blossom Accelerator provides comprehensive services tailored to startups at various stages of their growth journey. The Accelerator aims to catalyze the creation of 10,000 jobs and facilitate over $1 billion in investments over the next five years, with a presence expanding to 15 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and North America.

“At Blossom Accelerator, we believe the future of the global economy is driven by bold, visionary startups,” said Founder & CEO Emon Shakoor. “Our mission is to create a dynamic, interconnected world where innovation knows no borders and collaboration fuels unprecedented growth.”

Blossom’s initiatives include:

• Soft Landing Program: Assisting startups from around the globe in navigating the Saudi and MENA markets with crucial resources and connections.
• Open Library: The leading resource platform for MENA startups, offering essential templates and documents tailored to local markets.
• Blossom Advisory: Supporting up to 20 select startups annually with curated introductions to investors and resources for rapid scaling.
• Innovation Services: Facilitating tailor made innovation programs to drive entrepreneurial development and fasttrack innovation in corporates and public institutions.

Blossom Accelerator’s collaborative approach includes forging strategic partnerships with governments, corporations, and academic institutions. Through its affiliation with entities like the Ministry of Investment and NEOM, as well as its curated network of investors and corporate partnerships, Blossom enhances access to vital resources and expertise for its portfolio companies.

“At Blossom we focus on the double bottom line – doing well while doing good”, added Louisa de Beer, director of Blossom “in all of our initiatives we strive to promote inclusivity in the ecosystem through practical ways such as including sign language interpretation on NEOM Seven Senses Masterclass videos to accessibility of valuable resources through the Open Library.”

The NEOM Seven Senses Masterclass is an online platform offering free, tailored Arabic content to empower entrepreneurs. It features video lectures, interactive activities, and insights from leading Saudi business experts, fostering knowledge, skills, and community building for business success.

Blossom Accelerator has successfully conducted over 150 programs in collaboration with local and international entities, including ministries and corporations. Incubating, accelerating and advising more than 3000 founders. Blossom’s services encompass accelerators, incubators, co-working spaces, hackathons, venture labs, corporate innovation training, and soft landing services in Saudi Arabia.

The post Blossom Accelerator celebrates a decade of accelerating startups appeared first on My Startup World - Everything About the World of Startups!.