Saudi Arabia is home to many rising stars, young women from all walks of life and industries who are leading the way in fields like information technology and the arts. Bayan Linjawi, an entrepreneur, social media influencer, and the founder of Blossom MENA, an accelerator that aims to connect and foster the Kingdom’s technology entrepreneurship ecosystem, is one of this expanding pool of exceptional and ground-breaking figures.
Despite the fact that Linjawi is only 25 years old, she has already established a name for herself in Saudi Arabia and the region. Just a few short years ago, she gained thousands of fans and followers thanks to her open, honest, and conversational approach to being a social activist. She quickly became a well-known name on social media.
Linjawi is on the path to educating, empowering, and supporting the Saudi Arabian community of technology entrepreneurs with her most recent venture, Blossom MENA. Linjawi explained to Buro247 that the accelerator aims “for a diverse pool of applicants from a variety of different backgrounds” and emphasizes providing women with the appropriate support so they feel encouraged to enter the technology industry.
“We also equip all of our start-ups and entrepreneurs with adequate resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to ensure they flourish,” she said.
Linjawi also talked about the successful and unwavering journey that Saudi women have taken in recent years, citing the fact that there are currently more female graduates than male graduates in the Kingdom.
“The government is pushing for more women to hold managerial positions in both the public and private sectors. Technology has played a huge role in the transformation as thousands of women have opened businesses online and are making thousands of dollars from business accounts on Instagram and Snapchat. Additionally, the 2030 vision aims for an increase of Saudi women in the workforce across all sectors including technology, entrepreneurship, athletics, art and the media,” she explained.
Linjawi was invited to give a TED Talk about idea sharing in Saudi Arabia in October of last year. She then traveled to London to serve as the host for the Jumeirah Carlton’s 2017 Arab Women of the Year Awards. Bayan was also featured in a film that empower women and show Saudi women’s potential for excellence, opulence, and sophistication when Saudi Arabia announced it is allowed for women to drive.
Hatem Al-Akeel, the Toby label’s founder and creative director, was in charge of producing the movie, which was titled “sa’aqood,” which means “I will drive” in Arabic. It emphasizes the physical and metaphorical drive and leadership skills of women. “It’s not about driving a car, it’s about having the choice as a woman to participate in social, economic and political activities. It’s steering one’s life,” said Linjawi.
