“Being recognized among the top 250 global startups out of 15,000 applicants fuels our mission to empower retailers with data-driven growth. This achievement not only highlights the global potential of Saudi startups but also inspires us to seize new opportunities as we strive for a place in the top 100 at the Global Finals this November.” Said Abdulwahab Alzaidi, Co-Founder & CEO of Ballurh.

Co-hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha’at, with support from more than 100 partners world-wide, the Entrepreneurship World Cup is one of the largest and most diverse pitch competitions and support programs of its kind.

Every year, tens of thousands of entrepreneurs from 200 countries compete for US$1 million in cash prizes and millions more worth of investment, support and publicity through national pitch competitions, bootcamps and a global finals event attended by leading investors. 

The remaining competitors, known collectively as the “EWC 250,” were selected to advance after succeeding in national and regional qualifier competitions or via a global pool of startups from around the world. As a top performing company, Ballurh will participate in a three-day bootcamp, after which the top 100 will be selected to compete at the Global Finals held November 5-9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during Biban 24.

“These companies are headed by brilliant teams at the top of their fields,” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. “We are here to help them reach their growth potential as they advance through the competition and become part of the GEN family regardless of whether or not they top the podium.” 

Through GEN and its partners, the competition connects applicants at all levels – from idea stage to scale-up – with world-class connections, resources and mentorship opportunities to enhance their skills and take their ventures to the next level.

In addition to competing for cash prizes for idea-stage, early-stage and growth-stage companies, founders will also vie in specialized categories including health and wellness, economies of the future, energy and industrial leadership, and sustainable environment and supply of essential needs.

Since launching in 2019, the Entrepreneurship World Cup has attracted more than 430,000 registrations from 200 countries and connected founders with over US$4M in cash prizes and another US$266M worth of free support and services.