PROMISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAUDI STARTUPS

SAUDI DIGITAL LEADERS PROGRAM

About SDL
the-sdl-program

SAUDI DIGITAL LEADERS PROGRAM

An initiative sponsored by the Saudi Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT). SDL is operated by Chrome Advisory (CA) and its international partner Plug and Play Tech Center (PNP), a global innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley and specialized in connecting startups to corporations. The program aims to create opportunities for promising Saudi startups to work with leading global companies as well as facilitating introductions to local and international funding.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES

With leading global companies as well as facilitating introductions to local and international funding.

GO GLOBAL

Prepare the Saudi Startups for an introduction to leading international members and fulfill one of the main pillars of Saudi vision 2030.

SUPPORT TO SCALE

Give the selected startups all the support they need on the ground to grow and scale their business.

our-sponsors-partners

OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

+

+

+

program-benefits

WHAT DO SDL MEMBERS RECEIVE?

If you are selected among the lucky few, you will be eligible to receive a government sponsored grant that will include receiving the following:

A 3 months fully paid-for admission to PNP international acceleration program in Silicon Valley where the startup gets mentoring
sdl-in-photos

SAUDI DIGITAL LEADERS IN PHOTOS

We believe photos speaks for themselves. Browse our most recent photos below.

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

about-sdl

Program Description

The program commences with a wide scouting exercise of promising local startups followed by a rigorous vetting process that takes place a few times annually . This results in the selection of the most advanced, promising, highly scalable startups with potential for cross border growth. The selection committee comprises of a joint team from CA PNP. The chosen startups will join a cohort at PNP headquarters for a period of 3 months where they will participate in a program designed to prepare them for an introduction to leading international members. PNP members include top universities, 40 governments, and over 200 top corporations such as Bosch, BNP Paribas, Hitachi, Ericsson, BASF, Siemens, Lufthansa, Dow Chemical, Ford, Mitsubishi among others. The PNP program covers more than 15 verticals including IOT, Fintech, new materials, and health. If any of those members are interested in the startup technology they may acquire, partner with the startup, or buy the product. This will give the Saudi Startup the unique chance to go global and fulfill one of the main pillars of Saudi vision 2030. PNP has been running this program for over 10 years, and has helped hundreds of startups get funded or acquired. PNP startups have raised over $4B, among them Dropbox, Soundhound and Paypal.

Once the entrepreneurs are back in Saudi, SDL program will continue to help solve their most painful problems by lobbying the local authorities to address road blocks in regulation, funding, or operation. They will also be introduced to local and regional venture capitalists and leading corporates. The program is designed to treat the few selected startups as the cream of Saudi startups and will give them all the support they need on the ground to grow and scale their business. On the corporate side, the program will also facilitate the introduction of Saudi corporations to PNP and facilitate memberships that would allow them wide exposure to global innovation, to acquire or develop the latest solutions to address some of their problems. This will position leading Saudi corporates on the cutting edge of technology, once more fulfilling one of the major objectives of Vision 2030.

how-to-apply

HOW TO APPLY

The program accepts growth stage startups with the potential of international growth. The Startup has to be either Saudi, founded or co-founded by a Saudi. The startup has to be operational and has shown considerable traction. We do not accept startups in the validation or ideation stage.

You may click on the button below to apply.  If your application is accepted, you will be contacted by ChromeAdvisory member to validate your application, and undergo deep due diligence.  Finally, you will be invited to meet PNP members during a demo day event taking place in Saudi.

If your initial screening is positive, you will pass through the following steps before being full admitted as a SDL member.

DILIGENCE & VALIDATION

Of your business model and case by the senior members of Chrome Advisory team.

FINAL INTERVIEW BY PNP SENIOR TEAM

Meet PNP team members who will come to Saudi Arabia to attend demo days with eligible startups.

RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Once the PNP team leaves KSA. The few winners will be flown to PNP headquarters in silicon valley to participate in one of their cohorts.

APPLY TO THE PROGRAM
pnp-international-acceleration-programs

PNP International Acceleration Programs

The Plug and Play International Acceleration Program is a 3-month program designed to provide high tech startups with exposure to the Silicon Valley environment through the Plug and Play ecosystem. Selected startups will travel to Silicon Valley to participate in the program.

The program enables high tech startups to benchmark against US and international companies in their space and helps them to develop best practices to improve their chances of success. Companies looking to expand internationally will also get the opportunity to engage in sustained business development and/or fundraising efforts in Silicon Valley.

Program components include:

A. Plug and Play University (Workshop)

All companies are invited to attend a 4-day workshop designed to introduce startups to the Silicon Valley ecosystem and business environment.

Topics and sessions include:

  • Silicon Valley Overview – Understanding and leveraging the resources unique to Silicon Valley.
  • Legal, Tax and Accounting – Implications of doing business in the US market.
  • Corporate and Business Development – Corporate partners as goto-market channels for emerging technologies, selling into corporations.
  • Pitching Workshop – Presentation and pitching skills and preparation of relevant presentation materials to suit different audiences.
  • Go-to-Market – Overview of scalability of operations, monetization and business plans, market trends for various sectors.
  • Startup Case Studies – Experiences of US and international startups at different stages, interaction with Founders and CEOs Plug and Play Accelerator Companies will be exposed to strategic opportunities to connect with potential partners, investors and to learn from experienced executives and domain experts through the following:
  1. Business Development Opportunities – Each company will be provided with opportunities to pitch to suitable corporate or other strategic partners and/or may receive direct introductions to potential partners (additional qualification required).
  2. Fundraising Opportunities – Each company will be provided with opportunities to pitch to suitable venture capital, corporate venture, angel or other investors and/or may receive introductions to potential investors (additional qualification required).
  3. Executives-in-Residence (EIR) – Companies will have access to Plug and Play EIRs who are industry executives and domain experts and can be potential mentors, advisors and consultants. Mentoring and Coaching Companies will receive dedicated support from Plug and Play team and partners, including:
  • Business Plan Coaching – Plug and Play will provide coaching to each company in preparation for pitching and/or to adjust or adapt their business plan.
  • Business Relationship Manager (BRM) – Each company will be assigned a Plug and Play BRM who will meet with company regularly to review milestones and objectives, and facilitate access to Plug and Play resources.
  • EIR Deep Dive Session – Each company will be able to apply to present to a closed panel consisting of domain experts. This session allows a company to receive in-depth feedback, discuss go-to-market strategies and leverage the panel’s network.
  • Company Mentor – Companies will be matched with a domain or industry expert to serve as a mentor during the program. Mentors will provide coaching, support and advice in various areas Plug and Play Membership.

B. Companies will receive a basic Plug and Play Startup Membership which includes:

  • Full Service Office Space – Dedicated semi-open office space for 1-2 employees, including front desk and reception service, conference room use (4hrs/mth), high-speed internet access and shared phone/fax/copy facilities (usage charged).
  • Community Events – Complimentary access to all 100+ Plug and Play community events, including monthly community meetings, CEO talks, Mobile and other Meet-ups, plus discounted access to partner events.
  • Professional Service Partners – Complimentary initial on-site consultations with Plug and Play service partners, including legal, accounting, HR and payroll, IP, banking and other specialists.
  • Additional Services – On-site services including IT support and top-tier data center (usage charged).

C. Plug and Play EXPO

Companies will be invited to participate in our quarterly showcase EXPO event, or other industry or sector-focused event. Each showcase event draws audience of up to 600 and provides different opportunities to participating companies.

Companies will be eligible to participate in the EXPO or other showcase event in the following ways:

  • Pitching Workshops – All companies will be invited to participate in pitch polishing,
    feedback and other workshops to refine their presentations and pitches.
  • High-level networking – All companies will be invited to attend the EXPO event, where they will have opportunities to network with VCs, angel investors, and large corporations.
some-facts-about-pnp

SOME FACTS ABOUT PNP

Our social community is expanding. Some amazing facts about SDL.

200

Corporate Members

2000

Startups Accelerated

4

Investments Made (Billion $)

follow-us

FOLLOW US

For everyone who wants to get connected with us regularly, do not hesitate, we are waiting for you!

ministry-of-communication-and-information-technology-mcit

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT)

The information technology and communication (MCIT) sector has become one of the most important pillars in the advancement of nations.  Stemming from the vision of 2030, and the national transformation program 2020, the ministry aspired to increasing the contribution of the digitization, and innovation in the ICT sector.  This will be achieved via a number of programs to enable the citizens, and their companies or startups to become leading worldwide  The “saudi digital leaders” initiative purpose is to support the national transformation program 2020, which the ministry contributes to via 8 tracks.  Those tracks are listed below:

  1.   (ICT Human Capital)
  2.   (IT Industry)
  3.   (Digital Government)
  4.   (Digitization)
  5.   (ICT Innovation)
chrome-advisory

Chrome Advisory

Chrome advisory is active throughout the venture capital value chain. This includes fund structuring and formation, asset selection, vetting and valuation, angel investing and incubation management services.

We provide investment advisory to strategic venture funds on an outsourced basis for local and regional authorized persons. We also provide a variety of retainer-based services to institutional clients seeking to leverage our expertise and network without committing to a rigid fund structure.

Chrome Advisory is a merger between BASE Consulting and EduNation, both consulting firms founded by the senior partners, who came together to bridge a gap in financial advisory for non securities.

Collectively, the partners offer clients a wealth of experience in various realms, with a track record of 150+ successfully completed projects. Their unique proposition spans across the investing value chain. Together, they deliver holistic advisory services and understand the delicate art of scaling and monetizing businesses.

plug-and-play-pnp

Plug and Play (PNP)

Plug and Play is the world’s largest global technology accelerator. With hundreds of entrepreneurs from across the world, this is the best place for startups to evolve and thrive.

Since inception in 2006, startups in the community have raised in excess of $4 Billion in venture funding. Plug and Play has accelerated over 2,000 startups and houses 400+ startups at any given time in our Sunnyvale headquarters. In 2014 alone, there were six acquisitions and two IPOs in the Plug and Play community. With over 300 corporate, VC, and angel partners, Plug and Play brings together a complete technology ecosystem in one place.

Through its investment arms, Plug and Play has invested in over 600 high-tech startups since 1998. Successful exits include PayPal (acquired by Ebay), Vudu (acquired by Walmart), Danger and Powerset (acquired by Microsoft). The active portfolio includes successes such as Dropbox (more than $17B valuation) and Lending Club ($9B valuation at IPO).