This paper introduces Islamic partnership structures as an alternative to conventional debt contracts. It specifically addresses the situation of entrepreneurs seeking funding from banks. The Islamic principle of profit and risk sharing, emphasised in Islamic partnership structures, is discussed in detail as it replaces the phenomenon of risk transfer present in most conventional financial and banking products. This paper explores two of the commonly used Islamic partnership structures; the Mudarabah and Musharakah structures. The paper explains how these structures benefit the financiers as well as entrepreneurs as both parties share in the risks and profits of the enterprise and hence both their interests are aligned. In addition to the financial and economic impacts of the principle of profit and risk sharing, the paper explores its important role in achieving socio-economic justice

No one knows more about a creative and innovative project than its architect and owner of the idea. The funding helps the startup start the project with minimal stress. Commonly startups are compelled to pay interest, equity/shareholding, be at the mercy of institutions or wealthy investors for financial resources. They also at times face massive difficulties of the bureaucratic and banking restrictions and delays. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of the scholarly community on alternative sources of funding that is, crowdfunding and its dynamics. On the basis of this paper develops a case for the crowdfunding platforms mushrooming in Saudi Arabia.

The purpose of this paper is to apprise the readers of the initiatives of Saudi Aramco in entrepreneurship development and growth in the country. Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Center (SAEC) was launched in 2011 with an objective to develop local enterprises in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to establish or expand Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), to support existing SMEs, and to cultivate a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Aligned with the mission, the centre focuses on the following Support: Start-ups, Financial, Growth and Ecosystem Development. In addition, ‘Aramco Entrepreneurship Ventures (AEV)’ was created to support local venturing. Business Incubation was initiated to complement the financial support programs. Despite its relatively short life span, the centre achieved remarkable achievements ] nearly 50 new start-up businesses by various initiatives, training for over 2000 potential entrepreneurs, and offer of hundreds of educational sessions throughout the KSA, just to name a few.