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The Financial Academy (FA) and the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (VCPEA) signed an agreement to launch cooperation in the fields of training and research.  Accordingly, a qualitative investment-training program will be delivered by a selection of international coaches, while the two sides will collaborate to research the venture capital investment and private equity in the Kingdom.

Commenting on the deal, Mr. Mana bin Mohamad Alkhamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy, said the partnership emanated from the FA's key strategy of developing and refining the capabilities of human cadres of the financial sector, especially that the “Venture Capital Investment" represented an output of the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP).

“Such collaborations directly contribute to the development and flourishing of the sector. So, it's important to level up the capabilities of the sector employees in areas of priority by providing innovative and effective solutions and technologies to bridge the gap in skills and capacities," he explained.

On his part, Mr. Qusai bin Abdullah AlSaif, CEO of the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, indicated that the Kingdom ranked second among the G20 nations in venture capital investment index, not to mention that the value of venture capital investment in Saudi Arabia in H1 exceeded $446 million, which showed the importance of the financial sector achievements acceleration.

“We are pleased to announce the launching of this scientific partnership between the FA and VCPEA in the venture capital investment and private equity in cooperation with a selected number of international coaches to elevate the sector professionalism, upskill its employees and continue to realize more successes," said AlSaif.

This cooperation is an extension of previous initiatives by the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association and the Financial Academy, serving as an extensive scientific experience that introduces investment sector stakeholders to a series of specialized programs and reports on various topics of interest to all sector staff. The step is intended to promote professionality in the venture capital investment and private equity sector, increase the number of professionals and attract talents. In its pursuit to enhance professionalism, the VCPEA offers advanced programs to all participants, as it managed to attract international coaches from global educational institutions, like INSEAD and Harvard, to present the programs. Each program is comprised of 24 training hours, reviews of over 11 case studies and examples of local and global startups. The programs aim to help the trainees gain comprehensive knowledge of the funds and valuable experience of the field, build a network of relationships with investors and manage to analyze the market studies as well as local and international projects.

The Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (VCPEA) is a driver of development and professionalism that seeks to boost the venture capital and private equity sector's attractiveness and role and raise awareness of investment opportunities it provides in the Kingdom. To realize these ends, the VCPEA offers effective programs, holds seminars and panel discussions, conduct researches, publishes articles, organizes regular meeting, thereby contributing to improving the sector's supporting systems and policies. The Association strives to engage and empower the venture capital sector and link it to the private equity. It includes more than 50 companies running SAR37 billion worth of Assets Under Management (AUM). For more information, please check here​.

The Financial Academy (FA) has become an independent legal and administrative entity by virtue of the Council of Ministers Decision No. 538, dated April 14, 2020, which approved the establishment of a financial academy concerned with developing the capabilities of human cadres working in the financial sector. However, the Academy had begun operating in 1965. It boasts a long history and an extensive experience in providing training and career development as well as professional certification. The Academy's services cover the financial industry subsectors including banking, finance, insurance and stock market. The FA also serves stakeholders and fresh graduates seeking to join the financial sector.