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Starting a new business can be an exciting but challenging endeavor. While you may have a great idea, it's essential to test your hypothesis before investing significant time, money, and effort into a business that may not succeed. In this article, we will discuss the right hypotheses to consider when testing your start-up idea.

Problem-Solution Fit

The first hypothesis to consider is problem-solution fit. Your hypothesis should identify a real problem that customers are facing and how your product or service solves that problem. It's crucial to validate that the problem you're solving is significant enough that customers are willing to pay for a solution.

Before you can validate your hypothesis, you need to understand your customers. Conducting market research, surveys, and customer interviews can help you identify your customer's pain points, how they currently solve the problem, and what they're looking for in a solution. Once you have this information, you can validate your hypothesis by testing your solution with potential customers.

Testing your solution can be done in different ways, such as creating a prototype or a minimum viable product (MVP). An MVP is a version of your product or service with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future development. By testing your solution, you can validate if your product or service solves the identified problem and if customers are willing to pay for it.

Market Validation

Once you've validated the problem-solution fit, the next hypothesis to consider is market validation. You need to determine if there's a viable market for your product or service. This hypothesis should look at the size of the market, competition, and potential demand.

To validate this hypothesis, you can conduct market analysis, competitor research, and test your idea with an MVP. Market analysis can help you identify the size of the market, trends, and potential growth. Competitor research can help you understand the competition, their strengths, and weaknesses. This information can help you identify opportunities and differentiate your product or service.

Testing your idea with an MVP can help you validate if there's enough demand for your product or service and if you can compete in the market. You can use the feedback from potential customers to improve your product or service and identify opportunities for growth.

Business Model Validation

The final hypothesis to consider is business model validation. You need to determine if your business model is viable and sustainable. This hypothesis should look at the revenue streams, cost structure, and customer acquisition strategy.

To validate this hypothesis, you can create a business plan, test pricing strategies, and conduct customer acquisition experiments. A business plan can help you identify your revenue streams, cost structure, and potential profitability. Testing pricing strategies can help you identify the optimal price point for your product or service. Conducting customer acquisition experiments can help you identify the most effective way to acquire customers and grow your business.

By validating your business model, you can ensure that your business can generate enough revenue to be profitable and that your cost structure is sustainable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, testing your start-up idea is essential to determine if it's viable and sustainable. It's crucial to consider the right hypotheses when testing your idea, including problem-solution fit, market validation, and business model validation. By validating these hypotheses, you can ensure that your start-up idea has a high chance of success. Remember to conduct market research, talk to customers, and test your idea with an MVP to validate your hypotheses effectively. Good luck with your start-up!

We are simply the startup builders!

Venture studios are a relatively new type of startup that specializes in building new companies from scratch. They differ from traditional venture capital firms that invest in pre-existing companies. Venture studios offer a range of resources such as funding, expertise, and shared services to the companies they create in exchange for a percentage of the equity.

In this article, we will discuss why venture studios are a good investment and how they can provide high returns, diversification, access to expertise, and shared services.

High Potential Returns

One of the main reasons why venture studios are a good investment is because of the potential for high returns. Since venture studios are building companies from the ground up, they have the opportunity to create something truly valuable. This can lead to a high return on investment if the company is successful. Additionally, since venture studios typically take a percentage of the equity of the companies they create, they have a stake in the success of each business. This means that if the company is successful, the venture studio will benefit as well.

Moreover, venture studios are focused on creating disruptive technologies or business models that can significantly impact the market. These technologies or models can create a new market or transform an existing one, which can result in high returns for investors.

Diversification

Another reason why venture studios are a good investment is because they offer diversification. Since venture studios are building multiple companies at once, investors are able to spread their risk across a portfolio of companies. This means that if one company fails, the investor still has other investments that may succeed. Additionally, since venture studios are typically focused on a specific industry or sector, investors are able to diversify their investments within that industry.

Diversification is an essential strategy for investors to reduce the risk of their portfolio. By investing in venture studios, they can minimize their risk and increase their chances of achieving higher returns.

Access to Expertise

Venture studios offer investors access to expertise that they may not have otherwise. Since venture studios are building companies from scratch, they have the opportunity to bring together experts from a variety of fields to work on a project. This can lead to a high level of innovation and creativity. Additionally, since venture studios are focused on a specific industry or sector, they are able to bring together experts who have a deep understanding of that industry or sector.

Investors who invest in venture studios can benefit from the expertise of the venture studio team and the experts they assemble. They can acquire knowledge, insights, and market intelligence that can help them make better investment decisions. Additionally, they can leverage this expertise to identify other opportunities in the industry.

Shared Services

Venture studios offer shared services to the companies they create. This can include services such as legal, marketing, and administrative support. By pooling resources, the companies are able to reduce costs and increase efficiency. This can be especially beneficial for early-stage startups that may not have the resources to hire a full team of employees.

Shared services can help the companies created by venture studios to scale quickly and efficiently. They can leverage the resources of the venture studio to build their business, without having to worry about the costs of hiring a full team of employees. Investors can benefit from this shared services model, as it can increase the chances of success of the companies created by the venture studio.

Conclusion

In conclusion, venture studios are a good investment because of their potential for high returns, diversification, access to expertise, and shared services. By investing in venture studios, investors can benefit from the expertise of the venture studio team and the experts they assemble, while minimizing their risk and increasing their chances of achieving higher returns. Venture studios offer a unique approach to building businesses, and can be a valuable addition to any investor's portfolio.

As a company, your employees are your greatest assets. Especially your top talents, who bring immense value to your organization. Therefore, it is essential to develop and retain them. But how can you do this effectively? In this article, we will discuss a better way to develop and retain your top talents.

1. Provide Opportunities for Learning and Development

One of the most effective ways to develop your top talents is by providing them with opportunities for learning and development. This can include training sessions, workshops, mentorship programs, and more. By investing in their professional growth, you are showing your employees that you value their skills and expertise, and that you are committed to helping them achieve their career goals.

Moreover, providing learning and development opportunities can help your employees to improve their skills and knowledge, which can benefit your organization in the long run. They can bring new ideas and insights to the table, and help your company to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

2. Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits

Another way to retain your top talents is by offering them competitive compensation and benefits. While salary is not the only factor that determines job satisfaction, it is undoubtedly a significant one. If your employees feel that they are being paid fairly for their work, they are more likely to remain loyal to your organization.

In addition to salary, you can offer other benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. These benefits can help your employees to feel valued and appreciated, and can improve their overall quality of life.

3. Foster a Positive and Supportive Work Environment

Finally, it is essential to foster a positive and supportive work environment. Your employees spend a significant amount of time at work, and it is crucial to ensure that they feel comfortable and happy in their workplace. This can include things like providing a comfortable workspace, promoting work-life balance, recognizing and rewarding achievements, and more.

Moreover, fostering a positive work environment can help to boost employee morale and productivity, which can benefit your organization in the long run. Happy employees are more likely to stay with your company and contribute positively to its growth and success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, developing and retaining your top talents is essential for the growth and success of your organization. By providing opportunities for learning and development, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and fostering a positive and supportive work environment, you can show your employees that you value them and are committed to their professional growth and success. By investing in your employees, you are investing in the future success of your organization.

Meet Gotrah's leadership team and reach out if you like to be part of the next big thing.

أصبح التسوق عبر الإنترنت في هذا العصر الرقمي هو الطريقة الأكثر راحة وشيوعا لشراء السلع والخدمات ولكن على الرغم من سهولة وملاءمة التسوق عبر الإنترنت، تظهر مخاوف الأمان والسلامة عند استخدام هذه الطريقة في التسوق فغالبًا ما يشعر المستهلكون بالقلق بشأن الأنشطة والعمليات الغير موفقة مما يجعل من الصعب الثقة في التسوق عبر الإنترنت.

للتغلب على هذه المخاوف، اعتمدت العديد من أسواق الإنترنت أنظمة دفع آمنة وتدابير أخرى لضمان سلامة وأمان مستخدميها.

أعلنت حراج، أكبر سوق بين الأفراد في المملكة العربية السعودية، مؤخرا شراكتها مع منصة وفِّي لتوفِّير خدمة دفع وتأمين مالي إلكتروني (Escrow)  في شكل تطبيق محمول يعمل كوسيط بين المشترين والبائعين. عندما يقوم المشتري بشراء سلعة على منصة حراج، يتم حجز مبلغ المعاملة في حساب تأمين مالي خاص على تطبيق وفِّي حتى يؤكد المشتري استلام المنتج ورضائه عن جودته، وبمجرد تأكيد المشتري على الاستلام والجودة، يقوم تطبيق وفِّي  بصرف المبلغ للبائع.

ما هو تطبيق حراج؟

يعد حراج أهم منصات التسوق الموثوقة عبر الانترنت و أكبر سوق للتعاملات التجارية بين البائعين والمشترين الأفراد في المملكة العربية السعودية كما تتميز المنصة بواجهة سهلة الاستخدام ومجموعة واسعة من المنتجات والخدمات بالإضافة إلى خدمة عملاء ممتازة.

تضمن شراكة حراج مع وفِّي حماية المشترين ومعاملتهم بشكل عادل وآمن وفِّي حالة حدوث أي خلاف بين المشتري والبائع، فإن وفِّي تقوم بإجراء تحقيق واتخاذ الإجراءات المناسبة.

وبالتالي، يمكن للمستخدمين الآن الاستفادة من خدمات وفِّي على منصة حراج حيث تساعد هذه الشراكة في تعزيز الثقة في المنصة وتحسين تجربة المشترين والبائعين.

ما هو تطبيق وفِّي؟

يقوم تطبيق وفِّي بتسهيل العملية بشكل كبير للمشترين والذين يمكنهم الآن الشراء بثقة أكبر وعدم القلق بشأن إرسال الأموال قبل استلام المنتج كما أن البائعين يستفيدون من هذه الخدمة حيث يتلقون المبلغ المتفق عليه بعد تأكيد المشتري قبوله المنتج ورضائه عن مستوى جودته.

ويعد تطبيق وفِّي هو  أحدث تطبيق محمول لخدمة الدفع والتأمين المالي الالكتروني في المملكة العربية السعودية كما يستخدم التطبيق أحدث التقنيات الأمنية ويضمن أن الأموال المحفوظة في حساب التأمين المالي  آمنة ومحمية بشكل تام. وبذلك يوفر التطبيق الأمان والثقة في المعاملات بين المشتري والبائع، مما يجعل عملية الشراء عبر الإنترنت أكثر سهولة وأمانًا.

كيف يمكن لخدمة وفّي أن تحمي عملاء حراج؟

باختصار، تقدم الشراكة بين حراج ووفِّي خدمات آمنة وموثوقة لمستخدميها. بفضل هذه الشراكة، يمكن للمستخدمين الآن التعامل والتسوق بثقة أكبر على منصة حراج مع تعزيز الأمان والثقة وتحسين تجربة التسوق عبر الانترنت من خلال الدفع عن طريق تطبيق وفِّي.

تجعل هذه الشراكة عملية الشراء والبيع أكثر سهولة وسلاسة بفضل الدفع الآمن وضمان الجودة ويمكن للمستخدمين الآن الاستفادة من خدمات وفِّي  بسهولة ويسر على منصة حراج. كما يمكن للمستخدمين تنزيل تطبيق وفِّي  من خلال متجر التطبيقات الخاص بنظام التشغيل iOS  أو Android  والاستفادة من خدمات وفِّي الموثوقة.

إن هذه الشراكة  بين حراج ووفِّي تعد خطوة جيدة نحو تعزيز الثقة والأمان في المعاملات التجارية الإلكترونية في المملكة العربية السعودية ويشجع هذا النوع من الشراكات الجديدة المزيد من المبيعات وتحسين تجربة التسوق عبر الإنترنت مع تأمين وضمان المدفوعات وضمان الجودة من خلال منصة شاملة للتسوق الإلكتروني أكثر جاذبية للمشترين والبائعين على حد سواء.

مع حراج ووفِّي تستطيع اتمام مشترياتك ومبيعاتك عبر الانترنت بسهولة ويسر وأمان. لقد جعلنا التسوق عبر الانترنت أكثر أمانا وثقة.

اذا كنت ترغب في تجربة تطبيق وفِّي اضغط على الرابط واشتري كل ما تحتاج في أمان.

In recent years, the startup ecosystem in Saudi Arabia has seen significant growth, with more and more entrepreneurs launching innovative businesses across different sectors. As the number of startups continues to rise, the need for effective support models becomes increasingly important. While traditional models such as incubators and accelerators have been around for years, a new model known as venture studios has emerged as a more successful way of supporting startups in Saudi Arabia.

What is a Venture Studio?

A venture studio is a model that combines several elements of traditional support models, such as incubators and accelerators, with additional resources and expertise to create a more comprehensive support system. 

Venture studios are designed to help entrepreneurs build companies from scratch, rather than just providing them with funding or mentorship. They provide a range of services, including idea generation, market research, product development, and go-to-market strategy, all of which are critical for startup success.

Why are Venture Studios more successful than Incubators and Accelerators?

While incubators and accelerators have been successful in supporting startups in the past, they have some limitations. Incubators typically provide office space, mentorship, and networking opportunities, while accelerators focus on helping startups rapidly grow and scale their businesses through intensive programs. However, both models can be limited in their ability to provide the full range of services and expertise that startups need to succeed.

In contrast, venture studios take a more comprehensive approach to startup support, providing entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise they need to build their businesses from scratch. By focusing on idea generation, market research, product development, and go-to-market strategy, venture studios can provide a more effective support system for startups, helping them to overcome the challenges they face and achieve success.

Success Rate of Saudi Startups

The success rate of startups in Saudi Arabia has been on the rise in recent years, with more and more businesses achieving significant growth and success. According to a recent report by Magnitt, Saudi Arabia saw a record number of startup deals in 2021, with a total of 160 deals worth a combined $1.4 billion.

Low-Risk Tech Investments

Saudi Arabia has several startups focused on developing innovative solutions in areas such as fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. Nana, for example, is a grocery delivery startup that has raised over $30 million in funding to date, while Sary is a B2B marketplace for FMCG products that has raised over $30 million in funding. These low-risk tech investments have provided a solid foundation for startups in Saudi Arabia to build upon.

High-Growth Startups

In addition to low-risk tech investments, Saudi Arabia has seen the emergence of several unicorns in recent years. Souqalmal, a fintech company, was acquired by the American insurer Aqeed, while noon.com, an e-commerce platform, was launched by the Dubai-based retailer Majid Al Futtaim. These high-growth startups have demonstrated the potential for startups in Saudi Arabia to achieve significant success and growth.

Smart Go-to-Market Examples

Several Saudi startups have adopted innovative strategies to scale their businesses rapidly. Mrsool, a last-mile delivery platform, has built a loyal customer base by offering a unique cash-on-delivery service. Sary, on the other hand, has leveraged social media influencers to promote its platform and reach new customers. These smart go-to-market examples demonstrate the importance of innovation and creativity in achieving startup success.

In conclusion, venture studios are more successful than incubators and accelerators in supporting startups in Saudi Arabia. By providing a more comprehensive support system that includes idea generation, market research, product development, and go-to-market strategy, venture studios can help startups overcome the challenges they face and achieve success. 

With the rising number of startups in Saudi Arabia and the potential for significant growth and success, it is clear that venture studios will continue to play an important role in supporting the Saudi Arabian startup ecosystem. As more entrepreneurs turn to this model for support, we can expect to see even more successful startups emerging in the years to come, further driving the growth and innovation of the Saudi Arabian economy.

يوفر لك الموقع تجربة تسوق مشابهة لتجربة الشراء من الأسواق الشعبية 

يمكنك الآن أن تعيش تجربة شراء غير مسبوقة من الأسواق الشعبية بالسعودية وأنت في بيتك وذلك من خلال تطبيق بازار والذي يأخذك في جولة حية بالأسواق التراثية وأزقتها وناسها وحكاياتها فقط باستخدام جوالك كما يمكنك التواصل مع البائعين والمفاصلة معهم لشراء قطع مميزة باسعار جيدة ثم متابعة حالة طلبك حتى يصل إلى باب بيتك.

أيضا، يمكن لتجار الأسواق الشعبية بالسعودية الاشتراك بالتطبيق لتوسيع تجارتهم ومشاركة بضائعهم مع الآلاف لزيادة حركة البيع وجمهور المشترين حيث سيتيح لهم بازار عرض بضائعهم ونقل روح السوق إلى المشترين.

ما هو تطبيق بازار؟

نشأت فكرة بازار لتوفر تجربة تسوق مشابهة لتجربة الشراء من الأسواق الشعبية وذلك لجميع المقيمين بالسعودية والزائرين بإختلاف مناطق إقامتهم عبر الإنترنت كما تتيح لك إمكانية التسوق في أي وقت مناسب لك على مدار اليوم وتوفير الوقت الذي قد تضيعه في المواصلات وفي زحمة الطرق وفي الوقوف في الصفوف على أجهزة الكاشير للدفع وفي البحث عن أماكن انتظار السيارات والتي تكون دائما مزدحمة بالسيارات.

من خلال بازار، يمكنك التعرف على جميع المعلومات المتعلقة بمواصفات المنتج وتاريخه وقصته، كما يمكنك أيضا الشعور أكثر بالمنتجات وتخيلها عند عرضها في صور وفيديوهات عالية الدقة بزاوية 360 درجة.

حجم الاستثمار بالأسواق الشعبية في المملكة السعودية

على الرغم من تنوع "المولات" ومراكز التسوق الحديثة والفاخرة، مازالت الأسواق الشعبية تفرض حضورها على الخارطة الشرائية لتوافر السلع بها بأسعار مناسبة ورخيصة مقارنة بغيرها من الأسواق كما تتوفر بها المنتجات التقليدية الشعبية والتي تعبر عن تراث المملكة وحضارتها لهذا تجد أن أغلب السياح في المملكة العربية السعودية يتجهون للتبضع من أسواق جدة والرياض تحديداً لشراء الهدايا التذكارية وغيرها بأسعار مناسبة.

وقد ذهب مختصون في الاقتصاد إلى تقدير حجم الاستثمارات في الأسواق الشعبية، التي تزيد على 30 سوقا منتشرة في الكثير من المدن السعودية،  بأكثر من 3 مليارات ريال (800 مليون دولار)، والتي تدار في أغلبها بعمالة وافدة، إلا أن هناك من يرى أن قيمة السلع المعروضة تفوق هذه الأرقام، بالإضافة إلى قيمة استئجار المواقع، وأجور العاملين.

ولكنه مازال لا  توجد إحصاءات رسمية تصنف وتقدر حجم الاستثمار في هذا القطاع ضمن قائمة الاقتصاد السعودي حيث يستوجب ذلك إجراء مسح اقتصادي شامل لجميع الأسواق الشعبية.

نمو التجارة الإلكترونية بالسعودية

ويمكن تصنيف بازار كتطبيق من ضمن تطبيقات التجارة الإلكترونية بالسعودية والتي سجلت ارتفاعا ملحوظا بالمملكة في الأونه الأخيرة، حيث يتوقع أن تتجاوز التجارة الإلكترونية في السعودية 15 مليار دولار بحلول عام 2025 وزيادة المبيعات عبر الإنترنت بنسبة 60% في المتوسط سنوياً عبر جميع الفئات.

توقع تقرير تم إجراءه حديثًا نمو سوق التجارة الإلكترونية في السعودية من حيث الحجم والحصص السوقية، خلال الـ4 سنوات المقبلة التي تنتهي في 2027 إلى 20.01 مليار دولار.

وأكد التقرير الذي بثته شبكة «ياهو فاينناس» الأمريكية، عن نمو سوق التجارة الإلكترونية في المملكة حتى عام 2027، أن المملكة ستشهد زيادة كبيرة في الطلب على هذا القطاع، وانتعاش الحركة البيعية عبر الإنترنت، بما يساهم في جذب مزيد من اللاعبين الرئيسيين

وأشار التقرير إلى أن المملكة استقبلت 575 مشروعًا استثماريًا أجنبيًّا جديدًا في عام 2021، مرجعة الزيادة في هذه المشروعات الدولية إلى ازدهار التجارة الإلكترونية وأسواق التجزئة في المملكة.

لتحميل تطبيق بازار للتسوق من خلال الفيديو وتجربة الشراء اضغط على الرابط وعيش تجربة التسوق الجديدة

Saudi Arabia is one of the Middle East's most active nations in promoting financial technology, working to boost the number of investments and startups participating in this sector. Precisely, the fintech sector is growing rapidly in the country, especially, when compared to previous years.

The kingdom has launched a fintech strategy as a new pillar within Saudi Vision 2030 Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), aiming to support the country to be the leading fintech hub in the region.

Fintech in Saudi Vision 2030

By 2030, the strategy aspires to grow the number of fintech companies in the Kingdom to 525, hire 18,000 more people in this sector, raise Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $3.5 billion, and bring in $3.2 billion in venture capital investments.

Progress of the Fintech Sector in 2022

In 2022, the Fintech Saudi annual report has stated that the country witnessed a 79 percent increase in fintech firms compared to last year, with currently 147 active companies,  just three short of the 150 active companies specified by the development plan.

On this achievement, the director of Fintech Saudi, Nezar Alhaidar, said that “This year has been a significant year for the development of the Fintech industry in the Kingdom with the launch of the Fintech Strategy, which will drive Saudi Arabia to become a global fintech hub,” according to Arab News Website.

Additionally, the fintech sector has progressively expanded to become Saudi Arabia's most well-funded sector in 2022, both in terms of the number of deals and the total amount of VC money raised, accounting for 24% of the country's overall VC financing and raising $239 million. This implies a 167% increase from 2021, based on Magnitt’s 2022 Saudi Venture Capital Report

This growth is driven by the launch of many governmental initiatives that boost the fintech sector, such as the " Fintech Saudi” initiative, and Saudi Venture Capital (SVC).

Fintech Saudi Initiative  

Founded in 2018, Fintech Saudi was launched by the Saudi Central Bank in partnership with the Capital Market Authority in order to serve as a catalyst for the growth of the financial services technology (fintech) industry in Saudi Arabia

According to its website, Fintech Saudi aims to make Saudi Arabia a center for cutting-edge fintech with a vibrant and ethical fintech ecosystem.

“We seek to achieve this by supporting the development of the infrastructure required for the growth of the fintech industry, building capabilities and talent required by fintech companies, and supporting fintech entrepreneurs at every stage of their development,” the website said.

Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) Fund of Fintech

Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC) announced at the second edition of the Financial Sector Conference 2023 in Riyadh, held in March, the launch of the "Investment in Fintech VC Funds" product, in collaboration with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP).

It declared an allocation of $80 million from its investment for this key product

(SVC) is a government investment company established in 2018 as a subsidiary of SME Bank, one of the development banks affiliated with the National Development Fund.

Since then, it has invested in 35 funds that have provided 525 companies with financing through 904 deals.