Grow Tourism Handicrafts and Souvenirs Accelerator



Program Brief

The "Pre-Accelerator for Handicrafts and Souvenirs" program is a creative initiative launched by the Tourism Growth Center of the Saudi Tourism Development Fund, in partnership with AlMashtal Creative Incubator. The program consists of a series of stages, beginning with the "Saudi Souvenirs" challenge, followed by an evaluation and nomination phase, culminating in the selection of winning ideas. These ideas are then integrated into the training and model development program.

The program offers a range of creative activities that help local creatives present their ideas and visions in a systematic way, allowing for their continuous development and improvement, with the aim of providing high-quality products that find their way to the global market.

The program seeks to support and empower startups in the tourism sector, specifically in the field of designing and manufacturing unique Saudi souvenirs that allow visitors to the Kingdom to acquire distinctive souvenirs.


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Program Goals Title Pattern

Elevate Saudi handicrafts and souvenirs

Enhance the production of artisanal and creative projects related to souvenirs and the tourism sector and raise the quality of their products.

Empower Local Creatives

Provide support, guidance, and resources to help design and handicraft businesses thrive.

Blend Tradition With Modernity

Encourage the integration of Saudi heritage with modern designs to create unique souvenirs.

Expand your business

Empower business owners to expand their businesses locally and globally through their products.

Enrich the souvenir industry

Promote innovation and cultural preservation within the gifting sector.



Beneficiary Journey

Application Stage

  • Launching the public call for registration.
  • Receiving submissions and filtering them.
  • Selecting a number of participants to move on to the second stage.

Challenge Phase

  • A "hands-on" Saudi souvenir challenge program at the Creative Incubator headquarters for one week.
  • Presentation of projects to the committee and the public.
  • Evaluation of entries and nomination for Phase 3.

Bootcamp

  • Intensive Development: Five shortlisted projects undergo a six-week development phase.
  • Building initial prototypes for the selected entries and continuously developing them.

Accelerator

  • Business Clinic: Five winning projects and five outstanding projects from Phase 1 join a one-week in-person business clinic at AlMashtal.
  • 10-12 Week Virtual Acceleration: Projects embark on a virtual acceleration journey:
  • Develop the brand identity for the entries.
  • Define and implement intellectual property rights.
  • Prepare a marketing plan and target the market.
  • Prepare the product for market launch.

Program Conclusion: The final showcase of the winning products.

Application Stage

Challenge Phase

Bootcamp

Accelerator



Frequently Asked Questions

What is the registration mechanism?
Filling out the information on the registration page.

Are there any fees for registering and participating in the program?
There are no fees for participation.

What is the deadline for applying to the program?
The final deadline will be announced through the official channels of the Tourism Development Fund.

What is the total duration of the program?
Six (6) months.
What are the working days of the program?
All days of the week except Friday, and the scheduling of days varies weekly according to the stage of the program.

Are all sections and stages of the program in-person?
No, the stages of the program are divided into in-person sessions and activities and virtual ones, and the status of each stage will be determined at the time.

Does the program cover any travel, accommodation, and transportation expenses for participants?
The program is offered free of charge to beneficiaries and does not bear any expenses or costs related to travel, accommodation, and transportation.

What is meant by live presentation day?
It is the day of presenting the projects and ideas to the judging panel in-person, after creating their prototypes, and it takes place in the final period of the program.

Does the program offer financial prizes or any other support?
The program does not offer financial prizes; it primarily aims to provide non-financial solutions and does not take any share from the company/establishment. Investors from inside and outside the Kingdom will be invited for investment opportunities.

Does the program provide a certificate of participation and attendance?
Yes, there is a completion certificate for the winners provided by the Fund.



Please Read Terms and Condition

Tourism Development Fund

Grow tourism accelerator for Handicrafts and Souvenirs Terms, Conditions, and Declaration

Notice:


The Tourism Development Fund ("the Fund") retains the right to alter and/or amend any terms, conditions, or declaration at any time, at its sole discretion, without the need for prior consent from the participant. In the event of such changes, they will be promptly communicated via the Fund's official website, social media channels, or through the email address provided by the participant during their enrollment process.


Introduction:  

The Tourism Development Fund has launched the Grow tourism accelerator Program in Handicrafts and Souvenirs to empower local artisans in the fields of handicrafts, design, and the production of souvenir gifts inspired by local heritage.

About the Program:
 

The "Grow Tourism Handicrafts and Souvenirs Accelerator" program is a creative initiative launched by the Tourism Development Fund. The program consists of a series of stages, beginning with the "Saudi Souvenirs" challenge, followed by an evaluation and nomination phase, culminating in the selection of winning ideas. These ideas are then integrated into the training and model development program.

This program offers a range of creative activities that help local creatives present their ideas and visions in a systematic way, allowing for their continuous development and improvement, with the aim of providing high-quality products that find their way to the global market. The duration of this program is within 6 months.


Commitment:

This document delineates the terms and conditions between the Fund and the program participants, referred to collectively as "Participants" and individually as a "Participant." These terms and conditions, along with the declaration, are applicable to all program participants. Each participant is expected to thoroughly read and comprehend them prior to submitting their application for the program.

Upon acceptance and signature by the participant, this document becomes a legally binding agreement, necessitating compliance with its stipulated terms and conditions.

Firstly: Terms and Conditions


1.  Participants must be at least 18 years old.

2.  The applicant must be a Saudi national or a resident in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

3.  All applications will experience a thorough review and evaluation process to ensure they meet the program's standards.

4.  Acceptance is not guaranteed; applications will be critically assessed by the Fund, and decisions are final. There are no grounds for objection if an application is declined.

5.  Participants are expected to uphold public decency and professional conduct, avoiding any behavior that contradicts Islamic values or could be considered offensive, violent, discriminatory, or harassing.

6.  Participants must refrain from sharing unsuitable content related to the program, its participants, the Fund, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or Islam on social media platforms.

7.  All program materials are proprietary to the Fund and/or the program executors and are intended for personal and educational use only. No commercial use or reproduction is permitted. Participants do not hold any intellectual property rights over materials provided by the Fund, the program executors, or other participants, including but not limited to patents or trademarks.

8.  The Fund disclaims any responsibility for any violation of intellectual property rights related to the program by the participant. The participant is not entitled to claim any compensation from the Fund for any infringement of such rights.

9.  The Fund has the authority to use, replicate, publish, or utilize any photographs, videos, and audio recordings of the participant in its marketing campaigns and for other business or non-business-related purposes, contingent upon securing prior approval from the participant.

10. Information and materials provided during the program are not to be considered as professional advice or recommendations. Participants should seek independent professional advice before making any business or investment decisions. The Fund does not assume any responsibility towards this matter and any losses or damages associated with it. The participant agrees that the Fund and the program executors are not liable for any losses, damages, or expenses that might occur due to the use of or reliance on the program content.

11. Acceptance into the program does not constitute a promise or approval from the Fund for funding or investing in the participant's project(s), nor does it guarantee any job opportunities.

12. The business ideas and concepts of other participants are confidential. They cannot be disclosed, used, or reproduced without explicit written consent from the respective owners.

13. The Fund may, at its discretion, request additional information or documentation at any time to verify the authenticity of the participant's application and the accuracy of their data.

14. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that fails to meet the program's terms, conditions, and overall ethos.

15. The Fund may disqualify any participant at any stage if they provide false information, taking any necessary legal actions.

16. Participants must disclose any existing health conditions — physical or mental— to ensure prompt and appropriate medical responses if needed during the program. Pre-existing health conditions do not automatically lead to exclusion from the program, but relevant information and documentation must be provided.

17. Participants are expected to fully engage with all program requirements, including tasks, training sessions, assignments, and activities.

18. Full attendance is mandatory. Participants should be present at least ten minutes before each session starts. Excessive absences (two days for virtual sessions or two days for in-person sessions) may lead to termination from the program. (This division includes all types of training activities, pitching days, and evaluations)

19. Participants must have a computer with Internet access and be in a quiet, undisturbed area for virtual sessions.

20. Cameras must be on during all virtual meetings and activities.

21. Participants must submit and sign all required legal documents for the program For example a Consent Form for Photography.

22. The participant acknowledges in advance that they have no right to object to the announcement of the winners, and that the results are subject entirely to the evaluation and selection criteria adopted by the Fund. The participant acknowledges their acceptance of all decisions issued in this regard as final, and they are not entitled to challenge their validity by any means.

23. The Fund does not recognize any current risks, and the participant fully assumes responsibility for their participation in this program and any associated risks, be they legal, physical, or mental. The participant also exempts the Fund from any claims, losses, or damages and absolves the Fund from any lawsuits and liabilities of any nature.

24. The participant agrees to safeguard, indemnify, and absolve the Fund (including its officials, employees, and agents) from all claims, damages, losses, obligations, liabilities, costs, and expenses that may arise due to the participant's breach or violation of any of the commitments mentioned above.

25. These terms and conditions are subject to and interpreted based on the laws and regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.