Women Shaping Wealth Summit positions Riyadh as a global meeting point for women and Capital. The inaugural Women Shaping Wealth Summit opened in Riyadh on Monday, bringing together more than 3,000 investors, founders, executives and business leaders from across the Gulf, the wider Arab world and international markets for two days of dialogue, investment and connection around one of the most significant shifts in the global economy: the growing influence of women over capital, investment and wealth. Organized by PLAYBOOK, a leading wealth tech platform for women, the Summit is hosted by H.E. Deemah Al Yahya, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board of Women Spark, an angel investment network backing women-led ventures and now part of PLAYBOOK. Discover more Geographic Reference The Summit is being held in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia through Invest Saudi, at The Garage at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), bringing together women shaping businesses, deploying capital, building investment portfolios and influencing the institutions defining the future of regional and global markets. PLAYBOOK's ecosystem is built around four pillars; knowledge, networks, capital and opportunity and today connects more than 11,000 members across 120 countries. The platform has facilitated more than 800 speaking opportunities and 150 workshops across the Middle East and North Africa, while Women Spark has funded more than 20 startups. Arabs & Middle Easterners "Over the next decade, more women will control more capital than any generation before them. The question is whether they will be in the rooms where it gets deployed," said H.E. Deemah Al Yahya. "Riyadh has become a financial capital of the region; a place where Gulf, international and emerging-market capital increasingly converge. Bringing this conversation here puts women at the center of where those decisions are being made." Sara Al Sayed, Senior Executive Advisor to the Minister of Investment, delivered the opening address on behalf of the Ministry of Investment. The Ministry further highlighted the investment potential emerging across Saudi Arabia's growth sectors and regions through a curated panel discussion focused on the evolving investment landscape. For Wafa Al Obaidat, Founder and CEO of PLAYBOOK, who co-founded the company alongside Shreya Rammohan, Nada Darwish and Ismahan AlSaad, the Summit represents the evolution of a platform created to give women greater access to the conversations, networks and opportunities surrounding wealth. "I realized there was another world happening right next door," said Al Obaidat. "So we set out to create that third space for women. Women are earning more, building more, investing more and taking greater ownership of their financial futures. We wanted to create a room that brings the right people together around that moment." She added: "Women Shaping Wealth will become an annual experience. Our ambition is to build it into one of the defining gatherings for women and wealth in the region." A Global Shift in Wealth and Capital Discover more Arabs & Middle Easterners The Summit comes at a pivotal moment for women's economic influence. Women are expected to control an increasingly significant share of global wealth over the coming decade. In the United States alone, McKinsey estimates that women could control much of the approximately US$30 trillion in financial assets expected to change hands by 2030. This transfer represents more than a shift in ownership. It is creating new opportunities for women to play a greater role in how capital is allocated; from investing in startups and funds to building businesses, managing family wealth and leading the institutions shaping global markets. Reflecting the international scale of this conversation, the inaugural Women Shaping Wealth Summit features 240 speakers representing more than 20 countries. Regional and international voices participating in the Summit include Rama Chakaki of Qatar Science & Technology Park, Amal Dokhan of 500 Global, Afnan Ababtain of the Ministry of Investment, and impact and development leader Muna AbuSulayman, alongside investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and executives from across the global financial and business ecosystem. From Understanding Wealth to Deploying It The two-day programme is designed to move the conversation from understanding wealth to actively shaping and deploying it. The Summit opens with The Wealth Shift, exploring the changing relationship between women, money, power and opportunity, before moving into From Capital to Intentional Investing, addressing capital allocation, investment strategy, governance and legacy. Discover more Arabs & Middle Easterners real estate Travel Guides & Travelogues Across the two days, more than 80 sessions and 12 workshops are taking place across three stages, structured around the Summit's three core themes: * Money in Motion explores investment, entrepreneurship, capital and financial opportunity. * Power in Networks examines the relationships, communities and connections that influence access, leadership and growth. * Wealth in Wellbeing considers health, longevity and personal wellbeing as essential components of sustainable wealth and success. * Investment is also being translated into direct opportunity through the Summit's Power Pitch stage, where 39 women-led startups are presenting their businesses to investors and industry leaders. An Ecosystem Built Around Investment and Opportunity The Women Shaping Wealth Summit is supported by Strategic Partners including the Ministry of Investment through Invest Saudi, UBS, Range Rover and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB). Additional strategic partners include Vista Equity Partners, Floward, Tarmeez Capital, Vennre, FinBursa, Alpaca, BALINCA, AlHashimi Pearls, Strategy&, the World Bank Group and Andersen. The Summit is further supported by more than 100 ecosystem, gifting and learning partners, with The Garage at KACST serving as Venue Partner. Women Shaping Wealth Continues on 29 September The Summit continues on Tuesday, 29 September, with further discussions addressing capital allocation, governance, investment strategy and family wealth, culminating in the Power Pitch final. The inaugural edition will conclude that evening with a private, invite-only Gala and Awards ceremony at Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, in the King Abdullah Financial District, recognizing individuals and organizations contributing to the evolving landscape of women, wealth and investment. Middle East News 247 produces the latest news for the Middle East region, with a key focus on the GCC nations: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. Contact News Desk: [email protected] Follow Me:

Women Spark powered by PLAYBOOK to host Women Shaping Wealth Summit 2026 in Riyadh on September 28-29. Updated: 1 day ago Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - September 28-29, 2026: Women Spark, powered by PLAYBOOK, has announced the launch of the Women Shaping Wealth Summit 2026, a two-day international event that will bring together 3,000+ delegates from 30+ countries, with 260 speakers across three stages and 60+ ecosystem, media and gifting partners. Partners supporting the Summit include UBS, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), Alpaca, Jaguar Land Rover, Vista Equity Partners, World Bank, Strategy&, Araya Ventures, Tarmeez Capital, Vennre, Finbursa and many more. The summit aims to redefine the meaning of wealth by placing equal emphasis on financial growth, personal wellbeing, leadership, influence, and meaningful professional networks. Positioned as one of the region's most ambitious gatherings focused on women's leadership and economic empowerment, the summit will create a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, executives, policymakers, wellness experts, and emerging leaders to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and accelerate opportunities for women across industries. Unlike traditional business conferences that focus solely on finance, the Women Shaping Wealth Summit adopts a broader and more holistic vision of prosperity. The event is structured around three core themes designed to help participants develop both personally and professionally. The Money in Motion track will explore topics such as investment, entrepreneurship, business growth, fundraising, and financial literacy. Wealth in Wellbeing will focus on health, longevity, mental resilience, and performance, highlighting the importance of wellbeing as a foundation for long-term success. The third track, Power in Networks, will examine leadership, influence, policy, and relationship-building, offering participants practical strategies for expanding their impact through meaningful connections. Organizers expect the summit to attract a diverse audience representing multiple sectors, including startups, corporate organizations, government institutions, venture capital firms, and wellness communities. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking experiences, attendees will gain insights from global experts while connecting with peers who share similar ambitions and challenges. Technology will also play a central role in enhancing the participant experience. The PLAYBOOK platform will provide attendees with personalized agenda planning, intelligent networking opportunities, digital mentorship pod registrations, and continued access to learning resources after the summit concludes. These digital tools are designed to ensure that the value of participation extends well beyond the two-day event. The experience has also been carefully curated to reflect the summit's vision at every touchpoint. From streamlined registration and branded attendee kits to thoughtfully designed networking environments and premium hospitality, organizers aim to create an engaging experience that encourages lasting relationships and continued collaboration. The Women Shaping Wealth Summit also aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the Kingdom's efforts to increase women's participation in the workforce, strengthen entrepreneurship, attract international investment, and position Riyadh as a leading destination for global business and innovation. By bringing together influential voices from around the world, the event seeks to contribute to Saudi Arabia's broader goals of economic diversification, inclusion, and sustainable development. Commenting on the announcement, Wafā AlObaidat, CEO and Founder of PLAYBOOK, said: "This Summit is a defining moment - where Riyadh becomes the center of a new global conversation about women, wealth, and leadership. It's not just an event; it's a movement and a legacy that will last far beyond two days." As preparations continue, the organizers are inviting sponsors, strategic partners, speakers, and industry leaders to participate in shaping what is expected to become a landmark annual platform for advancing women's leadership and economic opportunities across the Middle East and beyond. The Women Shaping Wealth Summit 2026 will take place in Riyadh on September 28-29, 2026, bringing together global perspectives, practical insights, and collaborative opportunities that aim to inspire the next generation of women leaders while helping shape a more inclusive and prosperous future.