Social Development Bank Highlights Strategic Partnerships and Global Initiatives at DeveGo 2025
24.12.2025 18:27:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
The Social Development Bank (SDB) hosted the second edition of the Entrepreneurship and Modern Business Practices Forum, “DeveGo 2025”, from 21 to 23 December in Riyadh. Held under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Chairman of SDB’s Board of Directors, the forum brings together government leaders, global experts, investors, and entrepreneurs to shape the future of entrepreneurship and modern business practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251224036724/en/
From right to left: Ahmed Al Rajhi, Saudi's Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, H.E. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, and Sultan Al Hamidi, CEO of Social Development (Photo: AETOSWire)
Opening the forum, Minister Al Rajhi delivered a keynote speech on the growing vibrancy of Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial movement. He highlighted the Kingdom's transformation in entrepreneurship and freelance ecosystems. The Minister added that Social Development Bank injects more than SAR 8 billion annually to support enterprises and entrepreneurs, contributing to an increase in employment at bank-funded businesses from 12,000 in 2021 to more than 140,000 in 2025.
A central focus of DeveGo 2025 is building entrepreneurial capacity through the Empretec program, led by SDB and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). During the forum, SDB announced the launch of the Saudi Empretec Fellowship, attended by H.E. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s collaboration with international institutions to support high-potential entrepreneurs through intensive training, mentorship, and access to global networks. The fellowship aims to help Saudi entrepreneurs scale their ventures and compete internationally.
Setting the tone for the forum in his opening speech, Eng. Sultan bin Abdulaziz AlHamidi, CEO of the Social Development Bank, said: “DeveGo has become a national platform that brings together ideas, expertise, and opportunity. Through strategic partnerships, innovative financing solutions, and global programs such as Empretec in partnership with UNCTAD, we are empowering entrepreneurs to grow, scale, and compete locally and internationally. Our focus is on supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey while contributing to a diversified and knowledge-based Saudi economy.”
The forum also witnessed the signing of over 50 agreements that reinforce SDB’s role in building an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem. The agreements include innovative financing portfolios, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and local and international partnerships that expand access to financial and non-financial solutions.
*Source: AETOSWire
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251224036724/en/
Contacts
Nizar Hariz
nhariz@webershandwick.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
www.businesswire.com
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
EcoOnline Recognised as a Leader in Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2026 for Third Time21.9.2026 19:43:00 EEST | Press release
EcoOnline, the global provider of software that transforms how organisations protect people and the planet, has been recognised for the third consecutive time as a Leader in the independent Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2026 report, with market-leading strength in Safety Management. The assessment evaluated leading vendors of environmental, health and safety software vendors across a range of capabilities and customer buying signals. Verdantix recognised EcoOnline’s strength in the areas organisations rely on to protect workers every day: Safety Management, Chemicals Management, AI-enabled Training and Contractor Safety. It reflects the changing needs of EHS buyers, who are increasingly looking for integrated platforms that connect everyday safety with broader operational risk and crisis preparedness. EcoOnline achieved the highest score for Safety Management, reflecting the breadth of the platform’s capabilities across the processes organisations use to identify, mitigate, ma
rhode Announces the Return of Limited Edition Favorites and New Exclusives at Sephora Across Europe and the U.K.21.9.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
rhode, the beauty brand founded by Hailey Rhode Bieber and part of e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF), has announced that two community-favorite Peptide Lip Tints and a new Sephora-exclusive bag will launch at Sephora across Europe and the U.K. to celebrate the brand’s launch into Sephora in Europe on September 30, 2026. These items will join the brand’s assortment of high-performance skincare and hybrid makeup. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260921199856/en/ rhode announces the return of limited edition favorites and new exclusives at Sephora across Europe and the U.K. To mark the occasion with Sephora across Europe and the U.K., rhode is offering early access to purchase fan-favorite, previously limited edition Peptide Lip Tint in Pretzel at Sephora in Europe and the U.K. on the brand’s launch date September 30, before the product joins rhode’s permanent assortment globally on rhodeskin.com on October 1 and at all r
Pierre Le Manh to Step Down as PMI President and CEO21.9.2026 15:45:00 EEST | Press release
Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading authority in project management, today announced that Pierre Le Manh has decided to step down as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2026. Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer, has been appointed Interim President & Chief Executive Officer of PMI, also effective September 30, 2026. Pierre Le Manh joined PMI in September 2022. During his four-year tenure, he led the development and execution of PMI’s current strategy, strengthened its leadership team, expanded its capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships, and positioned PMI for a profession being rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence and a greater focus on project success. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Pierre Le Manh for his leadership and his commitment to PMI,” said Ike Nwankwo, Chair of the PMI Board of Directors. “PMI has a clear strategy, a strong leadership team and significant momentum. Pierre leaves the organization well p
Lenovo and Schneider Electric Partner to Bring Decarbonization Tools and Expertise to IT Channel Partners21.9.2026 15:10:00 EEST | Press release
Lenovo today announced that Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will join Lenovo 360 Circle as a strategic ally to bring decarbonization expertise and management tools directly to IT channel partners. Lenovo 360 Circle is Lenovo’s global sustainability community, bringing together channel partners worldwide to collaborate on shared challenges, accelerate sustainability transformation, and turn sustainability ambitions into business opportunities. Through its Allyship program, Lenovo 360 Circle connects partners with leading technology and industry organizations to enable collaboration and provide access to specialized expertise that helps partners accelerate their sustainability goals. As its newest strategic ally, Schneider Electric will bring its Decarbonization Champion initiative to the community, giving eligible members access to carbon management tools and hands-on support from Schneider Electric Advisory Services specialists to measure their emissions, identif
Serbian Biotech Startup Takes Its Journey from Belgrade to Cambridge with Documentary on Longevity Science21.9.2026 14:02:00 EEST | Press release
BioEridan, a Serbian biotechnology startup backed by Telekom Srbija Group’s TS Ventures Fund, has premiered a new documentary showcasing its development of underwater Aquafarms and its ambition to contribute to the next generation of longevity science. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260921345879/en/ BioEridan Documentary Premiere BioEridan: Science Beneath the Surface premiered in Belgrade on September 15 before being screened the following day at a UK-Serbia Health, Digital Transformation & Innovation roundtable held at Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, as part of Cambridge Tech Week 2026. The roundtable brought together prominent representatives from the UK and Serbia across science, healthcare, technology, academia and business to discuss opportunities for collaboration, innovation and the commercialisation of scientific research. The documentary follows BioEridan’s development from an early scien
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom