TikTok and Blossom announced the launch of the second edition of the TikTok and Blossom SME Empowerment Program, a program aimed at supporting and expanding the scope of high-potential AI-based startups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . The launch of the second edition comes as a continuation of the success achieved by the first edition, with a greater focus on innovation in the field of artificial intelligence, enabling entrepreneurs to build scalable and investment-ready companies that are in line with the Kingdom’s innovation and digital transformation priorities .

The program combines practical training, specialized mentorship, financial support, and access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem within an integrated growth path designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs . Participants receive up to $ 60,000 in financial support, empowering them to develop their startups and implement innovative solutions in the market . The program aims to help startups move from the early verification stage to scalable implementation, while enhancing their investment readiness and applying their solutions in the market .

A tangible effect of the first edition

The first edition of the program achieved tangible results for the startup ecosystem, supporting 14 startups and providing months of specialized mentorship and training . The program also resulted in an increase in revenue of $ 840,000 for participating companies, in addition to enabling founders to raise more than $ 14 million in funding . Based on these results, the second version comes with a more focused structure that aligns with the rapid developments in the market and the increasing growth of artificial intelligence technologies .

Program structure and its main components

The second edition opens its doors with a hackathon dedicated to artificial intelligence, aiming to discover promising teams and innovative solutions . Although the hackathon and the accelerator program operate as two independent tracks, each with its own advantages, interested founders can join the waiting list now for the three-month accelerator program to confirm their interest before the official application period opens .

Through this model, the program combines TikTok’s global platform expertise and Blossom’s practical approach to implementing acceleration programs, along with integration with the startup ecosystem and investors, to form a comprehensive growth platform for founders working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and market opportunities .

For his part, Dr. Hatem Samman, Executive Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for TikTok in Saudi Arabia, stated : “ TikTok believes in the vital role that startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in driving innovation and economic growth . Through our partnership with Blossom, we aim to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Kingdom to leverage artificial intelligence to build innovative and scalable companies, and contribute to the development of an ecosystem.” Entrepreneurship in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Eman Abdulshakoor, CEO of Blossom Accelerator, added: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase of innovation, where artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of companies. Through the TikTok x Blossom SME Empowerment Program, we are focused on providing founders with the tools, mentorship, and ecosystem access they need to build scalable, AI-powered companies that can compete regionally and globally. Our goal is not only to support startups, but also to foster a comprehensive innovation ecosystem that will underpin the Kingdom’s future digital economy .”

Program Supporting Partners

The program enjoys the support of a number of strategic partners who contribute to enhancing its scope and impact within the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Kingdom, including the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises “ Monshaat ” and the Digital Entrepreneurship Center (CODE) , as the partners support efforts to empower founders and expand their access to the innovation and investment ecosystem, and support the sustainable growth of small and medium enterprises .

Monshaat , the program’s strategic partner, emphasized the importance of supporting and empowering promising small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) that focus on artificial intelligence as a promising and influential model for the future of humanity, in order to enhance their contribution to the national economy, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a prosperous and sustainable economy .

The Digital Entrepreneurship Center (CODE), affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and a supporting partner of the program, affirmed its role in accelerating digital innovation and empowering entrepreneurs in the technical fields through initiatives that enhance artificial intelligence capabilities and develop digital skills, contributing to building a competitive digital economy and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a regional center for technology and innovation .

With this expanding focus on AI-driven innovation, TikTok and Blossom’s SME Empowerment Program continues to solidify its position as a key catalyst for the development of the next generation of startups .

About the Blossom Accelerator   (Blossom Accelerator)

Blossom Accelerator is a leading platform for innovation, investment, and market entry, operating at the intersection of startups, venture capital, large corporations, and government entities. Since 2017, Blossom has supported founders across multiple continents, with a strong focus on deep technologies and scalable, ecosystem-wide impact projects .

For more information, please contact

Huda Al-Zaboun
Project Manager – Blossom Accelerator
huda@blossommena.com

Zeina Al-Akkawi
PAZ Marketing
zeina.akkawi@pazmarketing.com

Christy Templa
PAZ Marketing
kristie@pazmarketing.com

Jackie Hesita
PAZ Marketing
jacky@pazmarketing.com

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