On February 5, 2026 StrategEast organized the Riyadh Ecosystem Exposure Day under the EBRD Arabian Gulf Market Entry Program, providing high-potential Eurasian startups with practical, market-oriented immersion into Saudi Arabia’s innovation and venture ecosystem. The event complemented participants’ involvement in Web Summit Qatar 2026 by offering direct, on-the-ground exposure to Riyadh’s startup and investment landscape.
The event was delivered in collaboration with Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s SME Authority, and Parachute16, a Saudi-based innovation and venture advisory platform, with additional support from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). The program brought together local venture funds, ecosystem players, and startup founders, offering delegates structured access to investors, insights into regulatory frameworks, and relationship-building opportunities across the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
Four startups from the Arabian Gulf Market Entry Program cohort participated in the Riyadh day, including VanOnGo, UvU, Investbanq, and SpaceLab. StrategEast, acting as the growth strategy partner in the initiative alongside the EBRD, guided the startups through curated sessions, investor meetings, and Monsha’at hub visits, enabling participants to gain actionable insights and establish connections key for market entry.
The Riyadh Ecosystem Exposure Day represents a key step in StrategEast and EBRD’s mission to support Eurasian startups in expanding into Gulf markets, combining international exposure with localized engagement to foster long-term partnerships and scalable business opportunities.
This initiative underscores StrategEast’s commitment to cross-regional digital and innovation integration, helping startups navigate new ecosystems, attract investors, and accelerate growth across the GCC region.
