The show invites Saudi Arabia-based entrepreneurs to apply for third season by July 23.
Saudi Arabia-based GFH Capital S.A. has partnered with Bahrain-based Hope Ventures, the investment arm of Hope Fund and producer of Beban, to expand the entrepreneurship-themed reality show Beban into Saudi Arabia.
The expansion comes in line with GFH Capital’s efforts to support Saudi-based businesses in their entrepreneurial journeys and provide them with the tools, resources, and networks needed to grow and scale across the region. Having aired for two seasons, Beban featured a total of 62 businesses of various sizes and resulted in successful co-investments by the private and public sectors exceeding $6m in GCC-based startups.
Through the partnership, GFH Capital will sponsor Saudi businesses’ participation in the Beban TV show, which is centred around entrepreneurs and business owners as they pitch their businesses before a panel of regional investors for equity investment and business opportunities.
Furthermore, Beban entrepreneurs will also benefit from the intensive training bootcamp which they will undergo as part of the Beban journey to develop their businesses in various aspects like expansion planning, financial modelling, and pitching in front of a panel of regional investors on a televised show.
Saudi-based businesses can apply for the third season online by July 23, 2023.
Commenting on the partnership, Razi AlMerbati, CEO of GFH Capital, said: “Saudi Arabia features one of the most exciting and vibrant startup ecosystems, not just in the region, but globally. We are thrilled to partner with Beban in a move that underlines our commitment to the growth of entrepreneurialism and business development in line with Saudi’s Vision 2030. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their innovative ideas into successful ventures. We are proud to support the cultivation of an ecosystem that fosters innovation, drives economic growth, and nurtures the next generation of business leaders.”
Fajer Al Pachachi, General Manager at Hope Ventures, added: “We created Beban to act as an investment platform that facilitates a borderless and seamless flow of regional co-investment opportunities alongside the private sector in promising businesses. We are truly excited to be partnering with GFH Capital to expand Beban to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it aligns with our objective of Beban and because we believe in the calibre and the potential of Saudi businesses. We look forward to welcoming their applications and participation in season three of Beban.”
Entrepreneurs will be selected through an evaluation process comprising five stages, starting with screening businesses for viability based on certain criteria, followed by an evaluation stage led by experts and specialists in the business sector. Candidates will then be nominated to participate in an intensive training bootcamp stage. The final stage will announce the eligible finalists, who will then go on to film the production’s episodes.
