The International Technology Incubation Forum and the Incubator Manager Training Workshop are sponsored by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the Kingdom’s National Research Institute in Riyadh, and supported by infoDev and the MENAinc regional incubator network, as well BADIR-ICT, Saudi Arabia's first ICT technology incubator and a member of infoDev's Global Network of Business Incubator.

The theme of the First Saudi Arabian International Technology Incubation Forum is Business Incubation Bridging the Link between Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship. The Forum's key objectives are:  

• To raise awareness and understanding of business incubation.
• To provide an international forum to share experiences of business incubation.
• To provide a forum for government, financial institutions, universities, research institutions, corporate business and chambers of commerce within the Kingdom to discuss with international business incubation experts the issues and successes to technology business growth.

The Forum will be opened by H.E. Dr. Al-Suwaiyel, President of KACST, and HH Dr. Turki Al Saud, Vice-President (Research Institutes) KACST. Inspiring speakers at the forefront of the industry will share their experiences and expertise. These include Mohsen Kahlil, Director of the World Bank’s Global ICT Department, Valerie D’Costa, infoDev Program Manager, Dinah Adkins, President of the USA National Business Incubator Association, David Martin, Managing Director of M-CAM USA, and over 30 additional international, regional and local speakers.

Proposed topics for keynote and panel session speakers include:

• Technology Incubation for the 21st Century
• Technology incubation as a tool for commercialization.
• Developing Technology Incubation Models for the Arabic World
• Technology Incubation - Lessons from Policy Makers and Stakeholders
• Technology Commercialization and the Role of Intellectual Property
• Financing Technology Commercialization

The Forum's main target audience is nationals of Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, but other international participants are welcome to participate pending visa and entry regulations into the Kingdom. Participants will represent existing and potential incubator managers, business support service managers and business development policy makers; university and research institution managers; senior executives from government, financial institutions, corporate business and chambers of commerce; inventors, researchers, technology entrepreneurs and business people.

For further information about the program and participation, please contact Dr. Al-Hargan at the BADIR-ICT Technology Incubator, by e-mail at aalhargan@badir.com.sa and visit the Forum website at www.incubationforum.com.