Phone Number
Email Address
Working Hours
July 16, 2025
Introduction: Why Women in Business Are a National Priority
Vision 2030’s Focus on Female Economic Empowerment
Breaking Down Barriers for Long-Term Inclusion
Key Ministries Leading the Charge
Ministry of Commerce (MoC)
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD)
Monsha’at – The Small and Medium Enterprises Authority
Licensing and Business Registration Made Easier
Online Portals Like Marouf and Qiwa
Fast-Track CR for Female Entrepreneurs
Access to Funding and Financial Support
Loans from the Social Development Bank (SDB)
HRDF Training + Salary Support for Women
Women-Focused Grant Programs and Competitions
Incubators, Accelerators, and Innovation Programs
Monsha’at’s Entrepreneurship Programs
Badir Technology Incubator and Flat6Labs
Women-Only Cohorts and Innovation Challenges
Education, Training, and Skill Development
Digital Skills Bootcamps and Coding Academies
Leadership and Entrepreneurship Courses
Public-Private University Partnerships
Legal and Policy Reforms Favoring Women Entrepreneurs
Equal Rights in Company Ownership and Contracts
Gender Equality in the Workplace and Boardrooms
Labor Law Adjustments Supporting Women
Saudization, Employment, and Flexible Work Incentives
Saudization Benefits for Women Hiring Women
Remote Work Regulation and Incentive Packages
Childcare and Family Support Programs
Digital Platforms Empowering Women in Business
Monsha’at, Etimad, Qiwa, and Marouf Tools
Access to E-Commerce via Zid and Salla
GOSI, Mudad, and Payroll Integration
Impact and Future of Government Initiatives
KPIs and Measurable Progress
The Road to 2030 – What’s Next?
How SetupinSA Supports Women Taking Advantage of These Initiatives
Licensing, Registration, and Incentive Application
Advisory for Grants, Hiring, and Compliance
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Saudi women are no longer on the sidelines of entrepreneurship—they’re leading the charge. Backed by reforms, funding, and access, they are launching startups, building brands, and driving innovation in nearly every sector.
The Saudi government is playing a key role in this transformation. Under Vision 2030, female participation is not only encouraged—it’s treated as an economic pillar.
Women-led businesses are adding billions to GDP, reducing unemployment, and introducing new industries across the Kingdom. With more than 800,000 commercial registrations issued to Saudi women as of 2023, this is a movement backed by policy and purpose.
Vision 2030 targets:
Raise women’s workforce participation to 30% and beyond
Support equal access to capital, education, and leadership roles
Promote female leadership in technology, entrepreneurship, and government
Encourage business ownership as a viable and respected career path for women
This isn’t just empowerment—it’s strategy. The government is building an ecosystem where women are equipped, encouraged, and incentivized to lead.
To ensure true inclusion, government initiatives focus on three major challenges women face:
Legal – Removing restrictions on registration, travel, and signatures
Financial – Creating funds and grants dedicated to female founders
Social – Providing flexible work options, transport support, and childcare solutions
Each of these is being tackled by integrated reforms that work at both the macro (policy) and micro (startup support) levels.
The Ministry of Commerce has made it easier than ever for women to start and scale businesses. Women can now register, operate, and fully own companies—independently.
What the MoC offers:
Fast-track licensing for female-led ventures
Simplified commercial registration (CR) via online platforms
Legal structures tailored for SMEs and solo founders
As of 2022, over 350,000 new CRs were issued to Saudi women, reflecting a dramatic increase in inclusion.
The MHRSD is focused on helping women enter, stay, and succeed in the workforce.
Key programs include:
Wusool – Transport allowance for working women
Qurrah – Government-subsidized childcare for working mothers
Tamheer – Paid internship training for female graduates
These programs directly reduce the friction many women face when balancing home responsibilities with business goals.
Monsha’at is the engine behind SME growth in Saudi Arabia—and a leading advocate for female entrepreneurs.
What they provide:
Women-only bootcamps and startup competitions
Arabic-first business development e-learning
Access to tools like the Startup Diagnostic Platform
Thousands of women have turned business ideas into scalable startups with Monsha’at’s tailored support.
Business setup used to be complex. Today, it’s accessible—thanks to government-built platforms like:
Marouf – For e-commerce and home-based businesses
Qiwa – For employment contracts and HR services
CR.sa – For registering your company from anywhere
Monsha’at – For educational tools and mentorship
These portals remove red tape, speed up approvals, and support both traditional and digital-first entrepreneurs.
Women can now:
Register businesses without male guardian approval
Apply for fast-track CRs and e-commerce licenses
Choose low-capital business structures like Sole Proprietorships or LLCs
Receive bilingual customer support for setup
SetupinSA assists with CR applications, Qiwa onboarding, and Marouf listing, all with a female-focused advisory approach.
The SDB provides women with accessible, low-interest business loans to help them launch and grow.
Loan features:
Up to SAR 300,000
No collateral
Grace periods and flexible repayment
Tailored to home businesses, startups, and e-commerce sellers
This is ideal for women launching online stores, salons, home kitchens, or digital services.
The Human Resources Development Fund supports women with:
Up to 70% salary support for new hires
Paid training programs in entrepreneurship and business skills
Internships for graduates through Tamheer
This helps female business owners hire faster, grow teams, and tap into local talent pools.
Numerous competitions and government grants now exist exclusively for women founders:
Entrepreneurship World Cup – Women Track
SheMeansBusiness (Meta x Monsha’at)
Badir’s Women in Tech Accelerator
SetupinSA offers application support to help women navigate the grant process, pitch deck creation, and eligibility compliance.
Monsha’at leads several initiatives that cater directly to women founders.
These include:
Female-led startup bootcamps
Market access workshops
Networking events for women in business
One-on-one advisory for legal, financial, and marketing challenges
These programs are designed to move entrepreneurs from idea to execution while connecting them with the broader startup ecosystem.
Two of Saudi Arabia’s most well-known innovation hubs have embraced women founders with dedicated spaces and cohorts.
Badir provides:
Access to labs and technical support
Mentorship and pitch preparation
Investor matchmaking for high-tech startups
Flat6Labs offers:
Pre-seed and seed funding
Product development resources
Acceleration programs with international visibility
These incubators are especially helpful for women building ventures in technology, health, education, and media.
Special programs and competitions are designed exclusively for female participation to eliminate intimidation, increase confidence, and focus on inclusion.
Examples:
Monsha’at’s Women in Business Track
LEAP Innovation Challenge – Female Founder Edition
SheWorks Pitch Nights and Demo Days
These create safe, high-impact environments where women can pitch, get feedback, and access growth funding.
Upskilling is a key focus area in Vision 2030, and women are at the center of it.
Government and private bootcamps now provide:
Front-end and back-end web development
UX/UI design and product management
Digital marketing, SEO, and analytics
AI, data science, and cybersecurity
These programs often partner with global tech companies like Amazon Web Services, Cisco, and Microsoft Arabia.
Leadership training for women is now a top priority.
Programs cover:
Business strategy and operations
Public speaking and communication
Financial literacy and budgeting
Negotiation and team management
Universities and ministries alike offer executive education tracks tailored for aspiring and current female CEOs.
Partnerships between Saudi universities and global business schools are providing top-tier education without leaving the country.
Examples:
KAUST’s Women in Entrepreneurship
Prince Sultan University’s Startup Hub
Princess Nourah University’s Innovation Center
These spaces offer both academic depth and business acceleration under one roof.
Recent reforms have eliminated gender-based restrictions in:
Company registration
Property and asset ownership
Signing legal contracts and managing bank accounts
Women can now own 100% of a business, hire staff, and take out loans without guardian consent.
Government regulation encourages:
Fair pay policies
Gender-integrated offices
Women on company boards (especially in listed companies)
While not yet a legal requirement in all sectors, many large companies are adopting voluntary gender parity goals.
Labor laws now include:
Maternity leave and workplace protections
Equal consideration for promotions and bonuses
Protections against harassment and discrimination
Employers are encouraged to provide flexibility, childcare support, and health programs to retain female talent.
Female-led businesses can meet their Saudization quotas faster when they hire other Saudi women.
Benefits include:
Easier Nitaqat classification upgrades
Lower GOSI contribution costs
Access to wage subsidies and training grants
This creates a multiplier effect—one empowered woman builds a business that empowers five more.
The government has formally approved remote and hybrid work models, especially to support women with family responsibilities.
Incentives include:
HRDF support for remote employee salaries
Work-from-home training programs
Licensing for digital-only operations
Women can run businesses from home, manage distributed teams, or launch fully virtual startups with government compliance.
Women entrepreneurs balancing family life can benefit from:
Qurrah – Government childcare program reimbursement
Wusool – Transport subsidy for working mothers
Flexible licensing for home-based businesses
These initiatives reduce stress and increase sustainability, helping women build without burnout.
These official portals offer comprehensive support:
Monsha’at – Resources, mentors, and diagnostics
Etimad – Government tender portal (now open to women-led firms)
Qiwa – Employment contracts and labor law tools
Marouf – Easy licensing for e-commerce sellers
These tools reduce paperwork, increase transparency, and speed up success.
Female entrepreneurs can use platforms like:
Zid – for Arabic-first online store setup
Salla – for e-commerce automation and payment integration
Tap Payments – for mobile and social commerce
These platforms eliminate the need for tech teams and reduce time-to-market.
GOSI and Mudad platforms simplify HR and payroll:
Register employees and pay GOSI on time
Issue compliant salary slips
Align with Wage Protection System (WPS)
SetupinSA helps female founders manage these tools while staying fully compliant.
Government initiatives aren’t just promises—they’re producing tangible outcomes.
Some key performance indicators (KPIs):
Female workforce participation rose from 17% in 2016 to over 37% in 2023
Over 800,000 business licenses have been issued to women across all sectors
Female ownership in SMEs now accounts for more than 35% of all registered enterprises
Government-funded programs have trained tens of thousands of women in tech, business, and finance
This is progress backed by policy, data, and real-world transformation.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia plans to:
Expand gender-inclusive VC funds and innovation hubs
Introduce more family-friendly labor regulations
Promote Saudi women as global business leaders through trade missions
Create women-led special economic zones (SEZs) to boost exports and tech innovation
Continue integrating female entrepreneurs into national tender systems via Etimad and Monsha’at
The future isn’t just promising—it’s in motion.
SetupinSA provides full-service support for women ready to launch or grow their businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Key services include:
Business structure selection (LLC, sole proprietorship, e-commerce)
Commercial registration (CR) and VAT licensing
Assistance with Marouf, Qiwa, and Monsha’at onboarding
Guidance on applying for HRDF, SDB loans, Qurrah, and Wusool benefits
Everything is handled with privacy, speed, and complete legal compliance.
SetupinSA also provides:
Customized grant application support for female-led startups
Saudization and Nitaqat planning for all-women teams
HR policy creation aligned with Saudi labor law
Access to partner networks for mentors, designers, marketers, and coders
Whether you’re launching from home or scaling internationally, SetupinSA ensures you build with clarity and confidence.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to empowering women in business is more than a trend—it’s a long-term national strategy.
With legal reforms, government funding, digital infrastructure, and educational initiatives working together, the country is unlocking a wave of female-led innovation across every sector.
Women aren’t just being welcomed into the economy—they’re shaping its future.
And with the right support system—like SetupinSA—every aspiring Saudi woman entrepreneur can turn an idea into a thriving, future-ready business.
1. Can Saudi women register a business without a male guardian?
Yes, since 2018, women can fully own and register businesses independently.
2. What is the easiest way for women to start a home-based business?
Register through Marouf for e-commerce or home-based licenses. SetupinSA can assist with all steps.
3. Are there government loans for female entrepreneurs?
Yes, the Social Development Bank offers loans up to SAR 300,000 with favorable terms.
4. Do women have access to government tenders?
Yes, female-owned businesses can register on Etimad and bid for public contracts.
5. Can I apply for HRDF salary support as a business owner?
Yes. If you hire Saudi nationals (including women), HRDF can subsidize their salaries.
6. What is the Qurrah program?
Qurrah offers subsidized childcare for working women or business owners.
7. How does Wusool help entrepreneurs?
Wusool provides transportation support for employed women and business owners with staff.
8. Is it legal for women to hire male employees in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, female business owners can legally hire and manage male staff.
9. What digital platforms help women entrepreneurs the most?
Qiwa, Marouf, Monsha’at, CR.sa, Zid, and Salla are commonly used.
10. Are there any women-only incubators or accelerators?
Yes. Programs like SheWorks, Flat6Labs, and Monsha’at run women-exclusive tracks.
11. Can I operate an e-commerce business without a physical office?
Yes, home-based or virtual businesses are fully supported by Marouf.
12. How do I apply for grants from the government?
Through Monsha’at, Badir, or SetupinSA’s advisory team, depending on your business type.
13. Are there tax breaks for women-owned companies?
While there are no gender-specific tax breaks, women enjoy equal access to all SME incentives.
14. Can SetupinSA help with social media licensing?
Yes, including business name registration, Marouf setup, and linking to payment gateways.
15. What if I don’t have a tech background but want to launch online?
SetupinSA can connect you with trusted developers, designers, and e-commerce partners.
16. Can students or part-time workers register a business?
Yes. There are no legal restrictions based on education or full-time employment.
17. What’s the most common business type for Saudi women?
Fashion, beauty, education, food, consulting, and e-commerce are leading sectors.
18. Do I need office space to get a license?
Not always. Many licenses are virtual-friendly. SetupinSA helps identify what fits best.
19. Can a non-Saudi woman co-own a business with a Saudi partner?
Yes, with proper documentation and investor visas, foreign ownership is allowed in many sectors.
20. Does SetupinSA offer mentorship or ongoing advisory?
Yes, including one-on-one advisory, pitch prep, compliance support, and business growth planning.
From securing an audited company profile, handling all document attestations, and obtaining approvals from MISAto issuing your Commercial Registration, we handle the entire business setup — quickly, efficiently, and without hassle.
1. We Understand the Process, So You Don’t Have To
Navigating the regulations in Saudi Arabia can be complex. That’s why our experts handle all the paperwork, approvals, and formalities on your behalf.
2. Tailored Solutions for Every Business
Whether you’re a startup or an international corporation, our services are customized to fit your unique needs.
3. Your Success Is Our Priority
From the moment you contact us, your goals become our mission. We pride ourselves on fast results and exceptional service.
