Innovation and entrepreneurship program boosts Hajj and Umrah services

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the ongoing efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship through its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, which aims to develop and test innovative products and solutions within the Hajj and Umrah services ecosystem. The program also empowers startups and connects their solutions to the needs of service providers.

The program is designed to test and develop creative products, enable startups to validate their projects, and strengthen collaboration with service providers and related entities inside and outside the Hajj and Umrah sector. This approach helps turn promising ideas into viable products, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program.

Two main tracks to support innovation

The program targets innovators, entrepreneurs, project owners, startups, service providers, and relevant organizations through two main tracks: "Development and Innovation" and "Startups."

• The Development and Innovation track focuses on piloting and testing innovative initiatives and products, and developing solutions that meet the needs of the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem.

• The Startups track explores entrepreneurial solutions, connects startups with service providers, and offers opportunities for collaboration and investment partnerships to support business growth and service development.

Field trials and program achievements

During the 1447 AH Hajj season, several innovative solutions were tested in operational environments, including mobile units, a smart golf cart, a smart cabin, a smart chair, the Amanatak digital platform, and the My Journey Stories innovation. These solutions ranged from field services and smart mobility to self-service and digital solutions, all aimed at enriching the pilgrim experience.

To date, more than 761,000 innovators and entrepreneurs have benefited from the program. Over 145 agreements have been signed across the program's two tracks, and 522 evaluations have been conducted during field and virtual visits. The last Hajj season saw the participation of 84 startups, reflecting the growing scope of collaboration in developing and testing innovative solutions.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, adopting practical solutions, empowering innovators and startups to develop and test their ideas, and enhancing cooperation with service providers to improve services for pilgrims and enrich their experience.