Results of the Entertainment Innovations Competition: 3 promising entrepreneurial projects crowned

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing a creative economic ecosystem, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Entertainment Innovations competition in Riyadh. This national initiative is a pivotal step aimed at stimulating innovation and developing high-quality solutions to serve the growing entertainment sector, as part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to build a sustainable entertainment system aligned with the goals of Vision 2030 .

The context of the entertainment transformation in the Kingdom

This competition comes at a time when the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented leaps forward. Since the launch of Vision 2030, the sector has transformed from limited activities into a massive economic industry aimed at diversifying income sources and improving the quality of life for citizens and residents. Through these initiatives, the Kingdom seeks to increase the entertainment sector's contribution to the GDP and boost household spending on entertainment within the Kingdom, making it imperative for innovative solutions developed by national talents who understand the nature of the local market and the aspirations of the public.

The Journey of Innovation: From Idea to Prototype

The closing ceremony showcased the work of the participating teams, who diligently tackled real-world challenges within the entertainment industry. The competition unfolded in a rigorous phase, beginning with a digital bootcamp that brought together over 300 participants for intensive workshops focused on team formation and idea development. This was followed by the selection of the top 40 teams to advance to the in-person bootcamp, which provided an interactive environment featuring mentorship and training sessions designed to transform creative ideas into viable business models and prepare market entry plans for presentation to a panel of expert judges.

Competition tracks and variety of solutions

The competition focused on several strategic tracks covering all aspects of the entertainment industry, including:

• Modern technologies and data management: to employ artificial intelligence in improving the visitor experience.
• Cities and entertainment destinations: To develop integrated destinations and empower local projects.
• Designing experiences and content: To create content that reflects the authentic Saudi identity.
• Operational efficiency: To ensure the sustainability of projects and the quality of services.

Economic impact and support for entrepreneurship

The Director General of the Sector Support Department at the Authority, Ahmed Al-Suhail, affirmed that the competition is not merely a passing contest, but rather a platform for shaping the future, supported by the wise leadership and the guidance of Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh. He pointed out that this type of initiative strengthens the entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom, opening the door for innovators to offer solutions that address real-world challenges, thus contributing to the creation of new job opportunities and supporting local content, a fundamental pillar for the sector's sustainability.

Crowning the winners and the million-dollar prizes

The final round, which included ten teams, resulted in three promising projects being crowned with financial prizes and huge logistical support:

• First place went to the “ Isma’li ” project, which won a prize of 150,000 riyals, in addition to an in-kind support package worth over one million dollars, including technical, legal, and consulting services. The project allows event attendees to interact with and select music at entertainment venues.
• Second place: Saudi Gardens project , which received 90,000 riyals, and presents a concept that integrates nature with interactive family entertainment.
• Third place: Siraj project , which won 60,000 riyals, focuses on transforming imaginary shows into amazing visual experiences using artificial intelligence and drone technologies.

These results confirm that “Entertainment Innovations” represents the beginning of a journey for these projects towards the market, where the Authority will continue its support to ensure that these ideas move from the crowning platform to tangible projects that contribute to enriching the entertainment landscape in the Kingdom and the region.