As the Kingdom continues to advance its vision of transformation, few stories capture the spirit of Saudi Arabia’s progress as powerfully as this one. This feature celebrates a partnership that brings together royal leadership and remarkable women’s innovation, as Saudi Bridge and Nest Accelerator unite Saudi Arabia and France to shape the future of global innovation.
It brings together HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the driving force behind Saudi Bridge, and Lamia Hanafi, the visionary founder of Nest Accelerator. Together, they are not only building business bridges but shaping the narrative of a Kingdom that looks confidently toward the future.
Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, this partnership embodies the Kingdom’s ambition to be a global hub for entrepreneurship, technology, and investment. Through Saudi Bridge and Nest Accelerator, new pathways are opening for startups, innovators, and investors to exchange ideas, grow across markets, and turn vision into real impact. France, Europe, and Africa are becoming natural extensions of Saudi Arabia’s expanding innovation network. This collaboration supports companies entering the Saudi market, helping them build strong operations and sustainable growth. It also develops joint acceleration programs that encourage international partnerships and create opportunities built on shared values, forward thinking, and real collaboration.
HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud represents a new generation of leadership that blends national heritage with a forward-looking vision. As Chairman of Entrepreneurship Vision, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Saudi Arabia in alignment with Vision 2030, he plays a central role in empowering entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and strengthening global engagement. This is further reflected through his role as the Kingdom’s representative to the Startup20 Engagement Group under the G20 Summit, where he continues to champion startup growth, international collaboration, and the advancement of local talent.
On the other side of this inspiring bridge stands Lamia Hanafi, founder of Nest Accelerator in Paris. She is a leader who connects ideas, people, and opportunities. Her work is reshaping how the world views Saudi women in innovation, proving that collaboration between nations can bring real prosperity and shared progress. In an exclusive conversation with The Saudi Times, Lamia Hanafi, Founder and CEO of Nest Accelerator, spoke about her partnership with Saudi Bridge and the shared vision driving this new collaboration.
“It is an honor to partner with Saudi Bridge alongside His Royal Highness Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser Al Saud, a visionary leader whose dedication embodies the ambition of Vision 2030,” she said.
“Through this strategic partnership, we are not merely building bridges; we are shaping a new global innovation corridor connecting Saudi Arabia, France, Europe, and Africa.”
Speaking to The Saudi Times about the role of Nest Accelerator in this vision, Lamia Hanafi added:
“At Nest Accelerator, this is our purpose: to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for innovation attracting the world’s best startups, empowering Saudi talent, elevating Saudi women, and serving as a gateway for Saudi innovators and entrepreneurs expanding into France, Europe, and Africa. The future of innovation is global, and Saudi Arabia stands at its center.”
Together, HRH Prince Fahad and Lamia Hanafi are redefining what partnership means. Their alliance stands as a symbol of inclusion, creativity, and ambition between Saudi Arabia and France. Through Saudi Bridge and Nest Accelerator, they are building not only programs but relationships that strengthen both nations’ roles in the future of innovation.
By the Prince’s side is Fahad Algahtani, Managing Partner and CEO of Saudi Bridge, representing the new generation of Saudi talent and energy. He told The Saudi Times:
“This partnership is a step forward in building meaningful bridges between Saudi Arabia and global innovation ecosystems. Together with Nest Accelerator, we are creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies to connect, grow, and operate within the Kingdom with the right support and access. At Saudi Bridge, we believe real impact comes from enabling the right connections and turning them into long-term value for both the Kingdom and our global partners.”
A few months ago, HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour traveled to Paris on a private visit, where he toured Station F, guided by Lamia Hanafi. The visit marked a symbolic moment for Saudi Bridge and Nest Accelerator and for the Kingdom’s growing presence in the global innovation landscape. Station F is recognized as the world’s largest startup campus and a premier global innovation hub, located in the heart of Paris. It is housed in the Halle Freyssinet, a 34,000-square-meter former railway depot in the 13th arrondissement. It is where global innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors come together to redefine the future, and where Saudi royal leadership walked a few months ago, symbolizing the Kingdom’s deepening engagement with the global innovation ecosystem.
This partnership is an open invitation to all Saudi entities, from family-owned businesses to major private companies, to support and empower Saudi talent on the world stage. The shared goal is to fund and open the Saudi-French Innovation Corridor and give Saudi entrepreneurs the support and access they need to succeed internationally.
Lamia Hanafi has already begun this journey. She leads by example, showing the world the strength, intelligence, and creativity of Saudi women. Her leadership proves that Saudi Arabia is not only participating in global innovation but shaping and writing it. As this story evolves from Paris to Riyadh, one message becomes clear: the Kingdom stands at the forefront of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. This collaboration unites vision and purpose, amplifying Saudi Arabia’s role as a leader in the global knowledge economy. Stay tuned for live coverage as Saudi Bridge and Nest Accelerator continue to connect minds and build the future together.
About HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
- Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Startup20, the official engagement group of the G20 Summit
- Chairman of Entrepreneurship Vision
- Serial entrepreneur and investor with a record of launching and accelerating successful startups
- Vision: Championing entrepreneurship, innovation, and global partnerships aligned with Saudi Vision 2030
- Website: https://saudibridge.org/
HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud represents a new generation of purposeful leadership in Saudi Arabia, combining royal vision with a passion for innovation, technology, and the empowerment of youth and entrepreneurs.
About Lamia Hanafi
- CEO & Founder, Nest Accelerator
- President, Startup Ecosystem & Innovation, G100 Women Economic Forum
- Recognition: Named among “40 Under 40 European Business Leaders 2025”
- Based in: Paris & Riyadh
- Website: https://www.nestaccelerator.com/
Lamia Hanafi is a global innovation leader dedicated to building cross-border partnerships that empower startups and women entrepreneurs. Through Nest Accelerator, she connects Saudi talent and international ecosystems, turning ideas into scalable ventures and strengthening Saudi-French innovation links.
