Osaka – June 02, 2025
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially launched the global initiative “Exponeur” from its national pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. Exponeur is a Saudi-born initiative aimed at connecting entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors through the Expo platform, leveraging this global
gathering to empower entrepreneurship ecosystems from around the world.
The initiative spans five years, from Expo Osaka 2025 to Expo Riyadh 2030, working to bridge global challenges with innovative solutions through a series of training programs, showcases of pioneering ventures, and the creation of tangible impact to be displayed at each Expo edition, starting with Riyadh in 2030.
Exponeur aspires to become the first-ever dedicated pavilion in the history of Expo focused entirely on entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment—positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for borderless entrepreneurship and reinforcing its commitment to international collaboration and next-generation empowerment.
⸻
Key Programs and Activities Under Exponeur:
1. Exponeur Academy:
A global six-month training program targeting 150 entrepreneurs annually from over 20 countries. It offers mentorship, investor readiness, pitch opportunities to venture capital funds, and financial awards for top-performing startups.
2. Exponeur Competitions & Challenges:
A series of short- and long-term competitions aligned with each Expo’s themes, running across five years. Regional and global rounds will culminate in the final showcase at the Exponeur Pavilion during Expo 2030 Riyadh.
3. Annual Exponeur Event:
A yearly global gathering of the Exponeur community, held in Riyadh—the host city of the upcoming Expo. It will include panel discussions, startup pitches, and networking sessions to foster collaboration.
4. Entrepreneurship Development Fund:
A funding mechanism aimed at supporting startups and closing the financing gap in developing nations.
⸻
This initiative is led by the Vision Leadership Association (ﺟﻣﻌﯾﺔ رؤﯾﺔ اﻟرﯾﺎدة) in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), and SBI Holdings Japan, which is the founding sponsor of the initial activities and training programs launched at Expo 2025 Osaka.
⸻
Role of the Vision Leadership Association:
The Association leads the initiative, shaping its strategic vision, designing its programs, and building partnerships across public and private sectors. It also ensures the sustainability and measurable impact of Exponeur in alignment with Vision 2030’s goals to build a knowledge-based innovation economy.
⸻
About SBI Holdings:
SBI Holdings is one of Japan’s leading financial institutions in innovation and venture capital.
Its portfolio spans asset management, fintech, and biotech. Through its joint venture BIM Capital, SBI launched the Saudi-Japan Tech Investment Fund with $100 million in capital to invest in tech startups.
SBI Middle East spearheads the group’s regional expansion, supporting joint funds and building strategic partnerships across the Kingdom.
⸻
About Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN):
The Global Entrepreneurship Network was founded on the belief that no single place or culture holds a monopoly on entrepreneurial talent. Our mission has always been to empower anyone, anywhere, to start and scale a business, because every person excluded from entrepreneurship is a loss to the entire global community. Today, as we see trust between nations tested and opportunities for collaboration narrowing, we are reminded that entrepreneurship remains one of the most powerful forces for bringing people together and solving our shared challenges.
⸻
Statement by HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser Al Saud:
Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Vision and Head of the Saudi Startups Group at the G20
(Startup20), His Royal Highness stated the following:
“From the Saudi Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, we launched Exponeur—from Riyadh to the world.
This global Saudi initiative reflects the Kingdom’s role in supporting both national and global economic development. It builds bridges across nations to promote a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment in facing global challenges—empowering the next generation to craft real solutions, exchange knowledge, close funding gaps, and unlock opportunities for all stakeholders.”
⸻
Statement by Yoshitaka Kitao, Chairman of SBI Holdings:
“At SBI, we believe innovation and entrepreneurship are key drivers of sustainable growth. Our partnership with the Kingdom through Exponeur presents a unique opportunity to connect young minds with global markets and strengthen investment in breakthrough technologies emerging from developing economies.”
⸻
Statement by Mansour Al-Sa’nouni, Founder of Exponeur:
“Exponeur began as an idea during our participation at Expo 2020 Dubai. It was born from a belief that entrepreneurs have the power to solve global challenges and transform ideas into real, tangible solutions.
Today, this vision has evolved into a global movement that empowers entrepreneurs—starting at Expo Osaka 2025 and continuing through to Expo Riyadh 2030.”
⸻
Statement by Jonathan Ortmans, President of GEN:
“At a time when global cooperation is facing unprecedented challenges and divisions between nations are deepening, the launch of the Exponeur Academy could not be more timely or more vital.
The world is in urgent need of new bridges—bridges built by young entrepreneurs whose ideas and energy transcend borders, cultures, and politics.
That is why GEN is so excited to support the Exponeur Academy—a program that returns us to our roots by focusing on young entrepreneurs, the original heartbeat of our movement.
By equipping the next generation with the tools, networks, and global platform they need, we are not only investing in their futures but in the future of global progress and understanding.”