At just 25, Bayan Linjawi has already achieved remarkable success. As the founder of Blossom MENA, she plays a key role in nurturing and accelerating startups in Saudi Arabia’s technology sector. Bayan’s impact has been so significant that she was invited to deliver a TED Talk in October of last year. In a brief conversation, Buro 24/7 Middle East contributor Hatem Alakeel catches up with the busy entrepreneur to discuss business and breaking boundaries.
Blossom’s mission is to educate, empower, and enable the technology entrepreneurship community in Saudi Arabia. This mission benefits both men and women by driving job creation and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. Blossom aims to attract a diverse range of applicants from various backgrounds and actively encourages women to engage with the technology sector. The organization provides startups and entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to ensure their success.
In recent years, Saudi women have made tremendous strides. There are now more female graduates than male, and the government is actively promoting women to hold managerial positions in both the public and private sectors. Technology has played a crucial role in this transformation, with thousands of women launching businesses online and earning substantial incomes through platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. The Vision 2030 plan also aims to increase the participation of Saudi women in the workforce across various sectors, including technology, entrepreneurship, athletics, art, and media.
Bayan was deeply honored to be approached to give a TED Talk, a platform dedicated to sharing ideas worth spreading. For her, it was a fitting opportunity to discuss the importance of idea-sharing within the Saudi community.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in the Middle East is to thoroughly study the market and find the right product fit for their target audience. She emphasizes the importance of being well-educated in the sector in which one wishes to start a business, as understanding the industry is as crucial as having the passion to succeed.
For Bayan, style is about how one chooses to present themselves to others. It reflects a mindset that combines wit with boldness of personality.
