World Health 2025 has announced the return of the Next Generation Vision Competition to this year's edition of the leading global event, which is being held in Saudi Arabia under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, supported by the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the Vision 2030 programs, and organized by Tahaluf, a joint venture between the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, Event Investment Fund, and Informa International, from October 27 to 30, 2025, at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center in Malham.
The competition will be launched on the Investors Forum stage, as a unique platform for the world's leading start-ups and growth companies in the field of health technology. The competition will be launched on the stage of the Investors Forum as a unique platform for the world's most promising startups and emerging companies in the field of health technology, as it aims to connect innovators with capital, expertise and market access opportunities to enable startups to rise to the top of the sector globally.
The competition will be open to startups and emerging companies. The competition accepts projects specialized in digital health, medical technology, biotechnology, life sciences, public health, and clinical innovation, and is interested in companies that promote healthcare access, equity, and preventive care, and welcomes the participation of startups from the Kingdom and all over the world, as last year's group of participants included companies from the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
The competition also welcomes the participation of startups from the Kingdom and all over the world. <The competition will be judged by a prestigious jury of leading industry experts and leaders, as well as representatives from important international organizations and companies. The jury members have decades of experience in investment and innovative healthcare solutions. Participants in the competition have the unique opportunity to connect directly with investors and receive expert guidance from global industry leaders, in addition to the opportunity to pitch to more than 300 investors, including venture capital firms, sovereign wealth funds and family businesses. The list of prominent institutional investors who have confirmed their participation includes: Deerfield, World Bank Group, Public Investment Fund, and Atem Capital. <The grand prize for the winning startup is up to SAR 100,000, along with a strategic platform to boost their product's visibility across the region. The shortlist includes 20 companies in two categories: Startups (self-funded and raised less than US$2 million), and Growing Companies (raised Series A funding and above).
<Previously launched to highlight health tech startups, the competition has evolved into a trusted platform to enable early-stage companies to strengthen their presence, build their networks, and accelerate their growth. This year's competition aims to attract high-potential startups looking to connect with investors, partners and the broader healthcare innovation ecosystem. <The second edition of the Next Generation Vision Competition plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the Global Health Forum's mission to position Saudi Arabia as a leading global destination for innovation and investment in the healthcare sector. In addition, the competition is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's Health Sector Transformation Program, as well as accelerating the adoption of digital health solutions to improve access, equity and health outcomes across the Kingdom and beyond.
The second and fourth days of the Global Health Forum, which gives start-ups and growing companies direct access to Saudi Arabia's vibrant healthcare investment landscape, will foster high-impact partnerships and connect investors with emerging opportunities. The fourth day of the event will focus on procurement, showcasing innovative procurement models, supply chain solutions and sustainable strategies in line with the Kingdom's green initiatives.
The Global Health Forum is also taking place during the second and fourth days of the event. The eighth edition of the Global Health Forum takes place against the backdrop of the Kingdom's rapid economic growth as a leading center for attracting investments in startups in the region, with US$860 million in venture capital committed in the first half of 2025 alone, an increase of 116% compared to the same period in 2024, surpassing the total venture funding allocated over the past year.
Global Health Forum's eighth edition takes place against the backdrop of the Kingdom's rapid economic growth as a leading center for attracting investments in startups in the region. The rise cemented the Kingdom's position among the top venture capital destinations in the MENA region, accounting for 56% of the total capital allocated and 37% of the total deals in the region.
These figures emphasize the Kingdom's growing role in shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in health.
