Analysis of design start-up companies' challenges and enablers in Saudi Arabian ecosystem

In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s economy has shifted from oil dependence toward diversification, spotlighting the “creative economy”. Central to this transformation is the design landscape, where many designers are pursuing entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities. As the creative economy expands, understanding the factors that shape design start-ups becomes important for supporting their growth. However, many designers face challenges that hinder their progress and development. This paper, part of larger PhD research, explores the Saudi Arabia design ecosystem and the experiences of running a design start-up. The paper addresses the question: “How does the current Saudi Arabian ecosystem support or hinder design start-ups?” The paper provides a qualitative perspective based on semi-structured interviews with fifteen designer-entrepreneurs across five Saudi Arabia cities (i.e., Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Jazan, and Tabuk/Yanbu). The paper contributes to understanding the design ecosystem in Saudi Arabia by understanding the experiences of running a design start-up in an often-overlooked context.