Effat University Organizes Go Start-up Boot Camp to Develop Participants’ Entrepreneurial Skills

Effat University, the first non-profit private institution of higher education for women in Saudi Arabia, organized a Go Start-up Boot Camp to develop the participants’ entrepreneurial skills

Held on Effat University campus, the two-day boot camp connected more than 100 participants with Saudi mentors, experts, entrepreneurs and coaches

The Go Start-up Boot Camp contents were Blending Knowledge, Skills Learning and Practice, and the participants’ task was to overcome 17 challenges emanating from three elements of Vision 2030: a Vibrant Society, a Thriving Economy and an Ambitious Nation.”

The challenges were carefully crafted and presented with a short description of the problem and then posed a question that could be responded by developing a commercially viable solution. 

The boot camp began by acquainting the participants with the start-up process. Rigorous sessions with the help of 23 speakers, coaches and mentors took the participants through the startup agenda. 

At each step of the process there was a speaker to help the participants understand the concept and importance of the step. The participants then worked in teams to complete the business model and develop the startup business canvas.

The participants were grouped into 52 teams comprising Effat students and staff, alumnae and members of the general public. Out of the 52, there were eight winning teams, which showed the high level of competition motivated by the challenging and inspirational atmosphere of the event. 

There was one winning team for the first place prize of US$ 5,000, while three teams shared the second prize of US$ 3,000 and four teams shared the third prize of US$ 1,000. The cash prizes were provided by the boot camp program partner, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The winners’ names and projects are being announced separately.

“Effat University is strongly proactive in promoting entrepreneurship by women as a key part of our overarching commitment to provide world class education for women to become agents of change and leaders of tomorrow,” said Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, President of Effat University. “Entrepreneurial ventures are fundamental to the success of Vision 2030 and women can make a significant contribution by implementing innovative projects that diversify the Kingdom’s economic resources.” 

Established in 1999 as the first non-profit educational institute specialized in offering higher education for girls in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Effat University today is renowned  as a center of excellence where researchers from different fields collaborate in building and expanding the knowledge base to add future value to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.