Saudi Tourism Hackathon Winners 2025 Announced by TDF

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has awarded five winning projects from its Grow Tourism Hackathons and Bootcamps program, concluding a competition that attracted nearly 300 participants across three Saudi regions. The final ceremony took place in Riyadh on December 18, 2025, with Al Ahsa Development Authority serving as strategic sponsor.

The program drew entrepreneurs from Aseer, Al Ahsa, and Al Madinah who developed 64 tourism-focused projects spanning accommodation, tourism activities, and supporting services. After mentorship stages, 38 projects advanced to bootcamps, with 10 finalists presenting to judges. The five Saudi tourism hackathon winners in 2025 received financial prizes and access to TDF’s Tourism Empowerment Programs for financing support.

Key Takeaways

300 participants from three Saudi regions competed in TDF’s Grow Tourism program
64 tourism projects were developed, with 38 advancing to bootcamp phase
Five winning startups gain access to TDF financing programs and partnerships
TDF Grow has supported over 10,000 entrepreneurs and helped attract SAR 70 million in investments to date

Program Connects Tourism Hackathon Winners to Financing

The winning projects will connect with partners under TDF’s Tourism Empowerment Programs, according to the fund. This provides startups with pathways to financing and scaling support. The program aims to transform concepts into market-ready tourism businesses that address operational challenges in Saudi destinations.

Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of the Tourism Development Fund, said the initiative reflects TDF’s role in supporting tourism innovation. He stated that investing in Saudi entrepreneurs enables local challenges to be converted into tourism ventures with economic value.

TDF Grow Track Record in Saudi Tourism Sector

TDF Grow, the fund’s non-financial support arm, operates hackathons, bootcamps, accelerators, and incubators for tourism entrepreneurs. The programs include mentorship, advisory services, and partnerships with public and private sector entities.

To date, TDF Grow programs have supported more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and contributed to graduating over 240 startups currently operating in the market. The center has helped attract nearly SAR 70 million in investments, according to TDF data.

Alignment With National Tourism Strategy

The program supports goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and Vision 2030. The competition’s regional focus—spanning Aseer, Al Ahsa, and Al Madinah—aligns with efforts to develop tourism infrastructure and services across the kingdom beyond major cities.

Al Ahsa Development Authority’s sponsorship reflects coordination between TDF and regional development entities. The authority oversees tourism development in Al Ahsa, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Eastern Province.

What’s Next

TDF continues to operate its suite of entrepreneur support programs through 2025. The fund provides both financial solutions and non-financial support to tourism businesses, targeting enhancement of visitor experiences and sector competitiveness across Saudi destinations.