The Financial Academy (FA) has launched the “Fintech Bootcamp 2024” in collaboration with FintechSaudi and the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (monsha’at). A total of 30 Saudi innovators, including young men and women, are participating in the unique financial technology experience. The camp is intended to contribute to building national specialized cadres in the field, leading eventually to making the Kingdom a fintech hub, in alignment with Vision 2030’s Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP).

The bootcamp provides a motivating environment where the next generation of the Kingdom’s fintech pioneers can be qualified. It offers the Saudi youth an opportunity to immerse themselves in a six-week training to explore the realms of data analysis and emerging technologies in fintech and artificial intelligence (AI). The boocamp will enable the participants to develop projects and prototypes as well.

“The bootcamp is one of the key initiatives spearheaded by the Financial Academy to support the financial and technology sectors and contribute to the advancement of the national economy. So, the FA, through such activities, develops national talents in the field of financial technology by providing an ecosystem that is favorable for building innovations under supervision of a selection of professional trainers, mentors and experts,” remarked Mr. Mana bin Mohammad AlKhamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy.

He explained that the camp covers a wide range of topics such as design thinking, data analysis, emerging financial technology, artificial intelligence (AI), agile management, data analytics and insight-driven decision making, data visualization, storytelling using financial technology and emerging technologies, the AI, the AI-supported growth, automation optimization, leading the digital transformation as well as pitching and presentation skills.

“The bootcamp will progress through various stages, including selection, onboarding, team formation, the training bootcamp, the hackathon, until it culminates on the Demo Day,” AlKhamsan added.

The Financial Academy is an independent legal and administrative entity that is organizationally located under the Chairman of the Board of the Capital Market Authority. The Academy seeks to qualify the financial sector’s human resources by advancing the knowledge, capabilities, skills and culture of its staff, including senior managers and board members. The FA also develops and promotes best professional financial practices, targeting all segments of the financial sector such as banking, finance, insurance and capital market.