Visa Starts New She's Next Program in Saudi Arabia with SAB &Monsha'at

• Visa introduced a new version of its international program "She's Next in Entrepreneurship" in Saudi Arabia
• It is a collaboration with Visa, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), and Monsha'at
• This launch reflects Visa's ongoing commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs across the Middle East

Visa global leader in digital payments, today launched a new edition of its global initiative She's Next in Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) and Monsha'at. The latest phase reinforces Visa's continued efforts to empower and support women-owned businesses in the region.

The application deadlines for the program are July 21, 2025, and invite Saudi women entrepreneurs nationwide to apply for an opportunity to receive funding, mentoring, and national exposure. Five August 1 finalist compete in a fight for a final pitch session on September 2, and out of them three receive $60,000 in equity-free awards. Grand Prize recipient will be awarded $30,000, Runner-Up will receive $20,000, and People's Favorite will get $10,000.

The program is available to women across all industries—from seasoned business leaders to future-facing entrepreneurs with growth potential. Top Saudi fitness guru and wellness entrepreneur Haya Sawan becomes a program mentor in this edition. With a reputation as a leader in businesses such as SheFit, Playball Saudi, and board member of the Saudi Surfing Federation, she has an extensive background in empowering women through health, business, and community engagement.

Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager for Oman, Bahrain, and KSA, highlighted the importance of the program: "She's Next tells us that women in Saudi Arabia are not only starting companies—they're building the future economy. Our research also discovered that a lot of women entrepreneurs want to grow their offerings and develop their financial capabilities. That's why programs like She's Next are critical. It's not just about funding—it's about support, mentorship, and visibility."

Lama Ghazzaoui, SAB CFO, added: "Saudi Arabian women-owned businesses are transforming industries and contributing substantively to the economy. This investment in these women entrepreneurs through She's Next is another demonstration of SAB's ongoing commitment to inclusive development and is aligned with the aims of Saudi Vision 2030."

Monsha'at further highlighted the importance of investing in women founders, stating: "When women have the right resources, mentorship, and capital, they fuel innovation, generate employment, and develop strong communities. With She's Next, we proudly invest in the next generation of women leaders who are building the future of Saudi Arabia."

This latest edition is a product of several successful She's Next initiatives in Saudi Arabia that encompassed fashion, gaming, and sports. The program now returns to empower more women entrepreneurs on the leading edge of innovation across all sectors.

Visa and International Trade Centre (ITC) enabled 340 women entrepreneurs across six countries in 2023 under SheTrades and She's Next initiatives, which impacted more than 12,000 women workers. Visa so far, as of 2020, has granted nearly USD 3 million in mentorship and grants to more than 250 women-owned small and medium enterprises from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.