FHS Saudi Arabia Invites Hospitality Entrepreneurs to Startup Den 2025

The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia’s Startup Den is back for 2025, offering unique opportunities for hospitality entrepreneurs to secure exposure, mentorship, potential funding and prizes such as incubation support.

Now one of the most anticipated annual events on the FHS Saudi Arabia and FHS World agendas, the Startup Den is a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs in the region’s hospitality industry to present their business model to an esteemed panel of judges and investors.

Applications can be submitted at Future Hospitality Summit - Saudi Arabia | Startup Den. Ten finalists – who will receive complimentary access to the event – will be selected to make their business case to the panel: Fahad Al Obailan, Group CEO, BAAN Holding; Khalid Alsatti, Senior Specialists, UN Tourism; Sundip Patel, CEO Ezdaher Financing Company and Ahmad Arab, Founding Partner, Horwath HTL Saudi.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS organiser The Bench, said: “FHS Saudi Arabia is all about innovation, forward-thinking and sustainability, focussing on the opportunities and challenges today to help shape the hospitality industry of tomorrow. With KSA’s unprecedented tourism transformation as part of Vision 30 well under way and major events like Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034 drawing near, entrepreneurship is fundamental to the continued success and evolution of the country’s hospitality and tourism sector. We are delighted to offer this very special, unique opportunity to startups whose products and services will not only enhance, but potentially transform, the industry.”

Each finalist will have five minutes to present their concept, business model, and supporting data, with two minutes for judges’ questions. The winner will be announced during FHS.

FHS Saudi Arabia is also offering startups enhanced visibility with a dedicated stand, at a specially discounted rate.

The Startup Den is open to young businesses in the hospitality sector with a viable product or service. Companies must be less than three years old, have an annual revenue of under US$ 1 million, employ between 2 and 30 people, and have raised between US$ 450,000 to US$ 500,000 through seed or early stage funding. While the focus is on KSA businesses, companies from elsewhere are also welcome.

The FHS Saudi Arabia 2024 Startup Den winner was Sam Payrovi, Founder of ARKHAUS, the first floating social club of its kind.

Find out more, submit an application and view previous Startup Den winners at Future Hospitality Summit - Saudi Arabia | Startup Den.

FHS Saudi Arabia is at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, 11-13 May 2025, with the overarching theme of “Where Vision Shapes Opportunity”. More than 1,400 delegates are expected to attend.  For full details and to register, visit https://www.futurehospitality.com/sa

About The Bench

The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change.

 Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to FHS Africa (formerly AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight.

The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it’s about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow.

Discover more at thebench.com.

About FHS Saudi Arabia

Dates:                          11-13 May 2025

Location:                      Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sponsors:        Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh and Al Khozama Investment as Host Sponsors; Ministry of Tourism as Strategic Enabler; Taiba Investments as Founding Partner; Al Rajhi Bank, Amsa Hospitality, Elaf Group, NEOM, Red Sea Global, Rua Al Madinah, Saudi Icon, The Ascott, and Tourism Development Fund (TDF) as Strategic Partners; Accor, BWH Hotels, ClubMed, Marriott International, Radisson Hotel Group, Rotana, and Sommet Education as Headline Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality, ARC-IDC, Ark People Solutions, AtkinsRealis, CBRE, Compass Project Consulting, Domus Managed Housing, ELE|NA, H World International, Horwath HTL, IHCL, JLL, JT+P, Knight Frank, Louvre Hotels Group, Minor Hotels, Quo, Story Hospitality, STR, The First Group, United Hospitality Management, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Sponsors; Dusit International, Hospitality Chain Co, Hospitality Management Holding, Melia Hotels International, Neo Leap, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels, Sophos Hotels, Time Hotels, TV5Monde, Valor Hospitality Partners, and WhiteWater as Exhibitors.