RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Three Saudi esports startups earned national recognition at the close of Monsha’at’s “Zero to Hero” bootcamp. The 12-week training program aimed to support young developers in building their own gaming ventures.
The final event took place in Riyadh. It brought together Monsha’at leaders, investors, and industry experts to review and award the most promising gaming projects.
Winning Teams Show Strong Game Development Skills
The winning Saudi esports startups—Hanakah, Nomad, and AlUla—stood out for their creative work in designing and developing new games. Their ideas gained praise from judges for both originality and execution.
Saud Al-Subaie, Deputy Governor for Entrepreneurship at Monsha’at, attended the event. He praised the talent and effort shown by the finalists.
A Program Designed to Build Skills Step by Step
The bootcamp followed a four-stage process. First, participants learned the basics of the program. Then, they attended daily workshops focused on game design. Next, they built working versions of their games. Finally, they pitched those projects to a judging panel.
Over 148 developers applied to join the bootcamp. In the end, 10 finalist teams made it to the showcase. Each group attended 47 expert-led training sessions.
Part of a Bigger Push to Grow Gaming in Saudi Arabia
This program is part of Monsha’at’s plan to grow the Saudi esports startups scene. It helps local developers turn their passion into real business ideas. By giving them skills and tools, Monsha’at hopes to build a strong gaming sector.
“We want Saudi talent to compete around the world,” said Monsha’at in a closing statement. “That means we need strong startups, strong training, and strong support.”
More Programs Like This Expected
Gaming is now a key part of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy. Programs like “Zero to Hero” help raise the bar. They connect new creators with mentors, investors, and resources. Most of all, they give future entrepreneurs the push they need to succeed.
