Kilmitain Announces Its First Riyadh Edition, Bridging the Gap Between Creative Talent and Growth Capital
- HerStory Talk Show
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Kilmitain, the leading creative and cultural forum launched by Khaleejesque, has announced its debut edition in Saudi Arabia's capital city. Co-produced by AlMashtal and supported through a strategic partnership with the Culture Development Fund, the landmark event will take place on June 16-17, 2026, at the Visitors Center in Misk City.
Marking its seventh edition, Kilmitain Riyadh 2026 introduces a new investment-focused format designed to support the rapidly evolving creative economy across Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab Gulf region. Under the theme "Developing Sustainable Ventures," the forum will bring together creative entrepreneurs, investors, institutions, and industry leaders to help transform creative practices into scalable, investment-ready businesses.
As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 objectives, including increasing the creative economy's contribution to GDP to 3 percent and generating more than 234,000 jobs, Kilmitain Riyadh arrives at a pivotal moment. The forum addresses a key challenge facing the sector: many creative ventures possess strong cultural value but lack the commercial frameworks necessary to secure sustainable growth capital and long-term success.
"Riyadh is the epicenter of the Arab Gulf's creative transformation," said HRH Princess Noura bint Saud Al Saud, Founder of AlMashtal. "Our mission is to help local creators break free from the gig economy cycle of low margins and weak contracts. Through practical interventions, strategic dialogue, and actionable business models, we are enabling Gulf creators to build ownership of their intellectual property and shape their narratives on a global stage, particularly as international attention increasingly turns toward the region ahead of major events such as Expo and the FIFA World Cup."
She added that empowering creative founders with sustainable business structures is essential to ensuring the long-term growth and competitiveness of the region's cultural industries.
Echoing this vision, Sheikha Fouz Fahad Al-Sabah, Founder of Kilmitain and Khaleejesque, emphasized the broader economic impact of the initiative.
"Our vision at Kilmitain extends beyond individual success," she said. "We are building a future where the Arab Gulf's creative industries become a powerful engine for economic diversification, job creation, and cultural enrichment. By equipping talent and businesses with the tools needed to develop sustainable operating models, we are cultivating a dynamic ecosystem that positions our region as a global center for creativity and entrepreneurship."
The forum's strategic direction is supported by a strong ecosystem of sponsors and partners committed to advancing the creative economy. Leading the initiative is One Heart Investments as Investment Partner, helping drive the forum's focus on sustainable capital matching and business growth.
Additional support comes from Riyadh Art as Supporting Partner, while Tourism Development Fund, Monshaat, 1932 Hub, and Evento join as Empowerment Partners, connecting creative entrepreneurs with critical institutional resources and development opportunities.
Knowledge Partners Misk Foundation Entrepreneurship Community and Ivy & Company will provide industry expertise and strategic insights, while Community Partner NCCAL (National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters) and Media Partners Sayidaty and Her Story strengthen regional engagement and visibility.
Together, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to building a resilient and sustainable infrastructure for the Gulf's creative industries.
Over two days, Kilmitain Riyadh will feature a curated program of strategic panel discussions, investment-focused conversations, practical masterclasses on business scalability, and a Creative Business Showcase where founders will engage directly with investors, partners, and decision-makers.
The event aims to foster meaningful connections between creative talent and capital, while providing participants with the knowledge, networks, and resources required to build thriving enterprises.
Kilmitain Riyadh 2026 will take place on June 16-17, 2026, at the Visitors Center, Misk City, Riyadh.
Registration is now open at kilmitain.me/kilmitain-riyadh.
About Kilmitain
Launched in 2017, Kilmitain is a leading creative and cultural forum that serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and exchange across the Gulf region. Through curated discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, it empowers artists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to build thriving ventures and strengthen the regional creative ecosystem.
About Khaleejesque
Khaleejesque is an award-winning bilingual media brand and consultancy founded by Sheikha Fouz Fahad Al-Sabah. The organization highlights the Arab Gulf's creative industries through multi-platform content, industry events, and cultural research, supporting initiatives that empower regional professionals and creative communities.
About AlMashtal
Co-founded by HRH Princess Noura bint Saud Al Saud, AlMashtal is a living platform and incubator dedicated to creative entrepreneurship, cultural production, and sector development. Through programs, services, and collaborative environments, AlMashtal supports makers, designers, creative founders, and cultural practitioners in transforming ideas into viable, professional, and market-ready ventures.
About Rukun Creative Exchange
Rukun Creative Exchange is a Saudi company specializing in cultural systems and infrastructure design. Operating at the intersection of research, strategy, development, and program architecture, the organization works with institutions, project teams, and emerging initiatives to create sustainable frameworks that support creative and cultural growth.
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