The TWENTY30

Episode 30! 🤩 Hosts Hanaa and Lucien kick off the show catching up on a busy week with tons of travel ahead. In this episode, Hanaa does a DEEPDIVE into Saudi Arabia as a luxury market and destination for fashion and luxury goods. A recently-released report titled 'New Codes of Luxury in Saudi Arabia' by the TOGETHER group and the Future Laboratory group explores the evolving luxury market in Saudi Arabia, focusing on affluent consumers, the impact of women entrepreneurs, and the increasing significance of youth in shaping trends.

The report is loaded with interesting statistics: 88% of affluent KSA nationals also believe it is important that luxury brands contribute to the empowerment of women in the region; 91% of affluent Saudis mention that convenience is important to them when considering a luxury purchase, and so much more. The hosts discuss some of the key themes such as authenticity, innovation, technological integration, and the balance between global trends and local culture are discussed. It is a fascinating look at the spending habits of Saudi high-net-worth individuals, emphasizing the importance of personalized offerings and bespoke experiences.

It also delves into the rise of women's economic influence due to Vision 2030, highlighting their growing role in the workforce and entrepreneurial landscape. For the youth, the report underscores their digital savviness and preference for luxury experiences, indicating a dynamic shift in consumer culture. Concluding the episode, Dr. Hannah and Lucien emphasize the transformative power of the luxury sector in shaping Saudi Arabia’s future, echoing the report’s call to embrace authenticity and innovation while respecting heritage.

The hosts round out episode 30 with a discussion of some of the latest news on Saudi Arabia, including:

•Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Satellite Plans (and a hope that its work will lead to better in-flight internet…)

•Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program Developments

•WeWork Founder Expands to Saudi Arabia

•Topgolf and Callaway's Expansion in Saudi Arabia and a changing golf landscape in the Kingdom.

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You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC. 

A special episode to celebrate Saudi National Day on Monday, September 23! The TWENTY30's special guest contributor, Ghada Almuhanna, a visual anthropologist who is widely followed through her Instagram account documenting interesting Saudi photos and art, joins to talk all things Saudi National Day on the 94th anniversary. 

Saudi National Day celebrates the formal unification of the Kingdom in 1932. Ghada joins hosts Lucien and Hanaa for a lively and fun discussion of the evolution of National Day celebrations, how patriotism is expressed uniquely across Saudi regions, and the recent tradition of officially taking the day off since a royal decree in the 2010s. The conversation also delves into the joyous public displays, visual competitions among companies, and the heartwarming cultural practices that come to the forefront during this national holiday.

The conversation also includes a lively debate over the best dates in the Kingdom...

The hosts conclude the episode as always with SHOUTOUTS.

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YouTube:

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You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC. 

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved. 

From Tabuk, a mid-size city in Saudi Arabia's northern region, to a PHD from Duke University and now founder of one of Saudi Arabia's most successful startup companies, Dr. Hassan Albalawi's incredible journey represents a successful investment by Saudi Arabia into the promise of its citizens. In Episode 28, Dr. Hassan sits down with The TWENTY30's Lucien Zeigler and Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed for an exclusive interview and conversation to discuss the genesis and growth of WakeCap, an innovative and fast-growing construction technologies company that allows employers to monitor the safety and productivity of workers on the job site. WakeCap is scaling and expanding quickly, with 100 employees and operating partnerships with some of the largest construction companies in the world, including Aramco, Bechtel, and many others. WakeCap's solutions are now the go-to for companies seeking to protect and incentivize their employees and boost productivity to get projects completed safely. The company recently acquired a Silicon Valley-based startup in July 2024, and is using that investment to create a new R&D center for the company in the center of America's innovation capital. Now, it's expanding beyond the Middle East region, working in New York and elsewhere in one of the most significant exports of Saudi-made technologies in the Kingdom's history.

Hassan is the eldest in a family of 14 children. His first time on an airplane was as a teenager to travel to the United States for college and graduate school with limited English. When he left the U.S., he did so with a PHD in Engineering from one of top 10 universities in the country, and was ready to begin his journey as an entrepreneur. Hanaa and Lucien ask him about his experiences in the U.S. before diving into his journey as a Saudi startup founder years before the Kingdom began making huge investments into technologies and developing its ecosystem. The hosts also ask Hassan about the opportunities and challenges in the construction sector in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region, the development of entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia today, and the future of WakeCap as a potential unicorn in the coming years.

After the conversation, Dr. Hanaa and Lucien conclude with SHOUTOUTS. Dr. Hanaa's Shoutout is to the recently-passed Safeya Binzagr, famed Saudi artist who inspired many with her books and museums long before the Vision's reforms. 

Lucien's Shoutout is to Younis Altewejri and Francesco Luigi Carusi, founders of The Rustic Bakery in Riyadh, which was recently shortlisted for the Riyadh 2024 Time Out awards. 

***

The TWENTY30 is now the leading bi-weekly podcast on Saudi Arabia in English! Our founders thank everyone for subscribing and following as we de-code Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation in English and share stories of the changemakers playing crucial roles in the Kingdom's changes. Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuKNWr... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... YouTube:    / @thetwenty30   Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free: https://thetwenty30.com You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.   The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC.    ©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved.

Riyadh Season, a globally unique and dynamic annual series of events in Saudi Arabia, is back for 2024-2025. It's *so* back -- and this year is likely to be the best yet.

Lucien leads the episode's DEEPDIVE segment on the season, now well-established and evolving with new offerings each year, includes a diverse range of activities such as theme parks, concerts, pop-up restaurants, sports events, and fashion shows across multiple venues in Riyadh. Some key highlights for this year include the introduction of notable sports events like tennis and boxing matches, UFC, elite soccer games, and fashion showcases by designers like Elie Saab. Dr. Hannah and Lucien highlight some of these events. Lucien emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Riyadh Season, describing it as a 'tradition' that is constantly changing and improving, reflective of Saudi Arabia's dynamic evolution.

We encourage listeners to check out the full 294-page booklet on Riyadh Season events and explore the variety of free and paid activities available. The DEEPDIVE segment couldn't possibly conclude without Hanaa making sure that everoyne knows that other upcoming seasons are happening too, including in her beloved home of in the Eastern Province. 

The hosts conclude with top news items from the week, including:

•A discussion of solar and renewables in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi energy company ACWA Power has secured SAR9.7bn (US$2.6bn) in financing for the construction of three large-scale solar PV power plants in Saudi Arabia

•A new investment law in Saudi Arabia. On August 11, 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia unveiled a new Investment Law to enhance attraction of international investments and equality between domestic and foreign investors. 

•Wild thunderstorms and rain in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia was struck by thunderstorms and flash flooding on most of its Red Sea on Friday with footages on social media showing roads inundated and cars stranded in floodwater.

•The growing Saudi fintech ecosystem. Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the number of fintech companies in Saudi Arabia reached 224 by the end of Q2 2024, surpassing the Financial Sector Development Program's (FSDP) target of 168 companies for the same period.

SHOUTOUTS:

In the episode's SHOUTOUTS segment, highlighting exceptional Saudis or others driving change in the Kingdom, the hosts draw attention to:

•Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, for what he's doing growing the game in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as LIV GOLF announced its first tournament in Riyadh. 

•Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi, who won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

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Apple Podcasts:

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YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://thetwenty30.com

You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC. 

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved. 

In Episode 26, the hosts begin by commenting off the cuff on an element of The TWENTY30's introduction track, and how an effect of Dr. Hanaa's voice made them think about a Rihanna song, which caused Hanaa to share some interesting things she learned in a recent singing instruction. Despite Lucien's pleas, Hanaa declined (!) to sing the Rihanna song she practiced in that class.

Hanaa then leads the show's DEEPDIVE segment with a discussion on generational identities in Saudi Arabia. A new report highlights Saudi Arabia's generations, and Hanaa notes how fascinating they are as they define the people of the Kingdom.

The hosts then get to the latest news on Saudi Arabia and conclude with the SHOUTOUT segment, highlight exceptional changemakers in Saudi Arabia. 

Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

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Apple Podcasts:

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YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://thetwenty30.com

You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC. 

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved. 

As The TWENTY30 reaches an exciting milestone of 10,000 subscribers (!) and 25 episodes, the hosts begin by reflecting briefly on the journey so far, and why they feel grateful and appreciative of all the listeners and viewers who have supported the show with subscriptions, follows, shares, and feedback (it’s not too late to do so, by the way! Click on the subscribe link wherever you’re listening or viewing today’s episode).

Last episode (#24) with special guest and former SIDF CEO Ibrahim Almojel, generated a large volume of positive feedback on the conversation. Hanaa and Lucien begin the show with a few minutes sharing a small portion of that feedback from that show with listeners and viewers. 

Then, the hosts do a DEEPDIVE on the announcement that the Riyadh Metro will launch this year. Lucien highlighted the Riyadh Metro project and its near-launch to address a common point of negative criticism he often hears about it — and that is how long it took to complete. Lucien makes the point that major transportation infrastructure projects around the world are more often delayed (and overbudget) than not, and in the United States especially, is par for the course. Hanaa notes that it is part of a wider theme in Saudi Arabia — the incredible transformation of human mobility in just the past few years.

The hosts conclude with news, including the discussion of a new VC fund, a wonderful-smelling IPO, an interesting cloud computing move at KACST, and a silly (but funny) college football scandal that included a little bit on Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Ibrahim Almojel joins The TWENTY30 hosts Hanaa and Lucien for an exclusive conversation in Episode 24. Almojel, who sits on the board of nearly a dozen of the most active government and private investment funds in Saudi Arabia, also lead Saudi Arabia’s most powerful industrial investment body for 5 pivotal years after Vision 2030 launched. During that time, Almojel not only transformed the fund into an investment powerhouse and ecosystem developer, he was also tasked with implementing the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), one of the most consequential transformation programs in the Vision.

The TWENTY30 hosts ask Almojel about all of the above. In the conversation, Almojel shares real stories of changes in governance, how the SIDF moved quickly to implement the NIDLP, and how talent in Saudi Arabia is transforming the Kingdom from the inside-out.

The hosts also discuss his investment career, including his investments as founding partner of his currently active and diversified fund, Khwarizmi Holding, backs specialized investment companies in venture capital (Khwarizmi Ventures), private equity (Khwarizmi Partners), and real estate (Urbium Capital). They also discuss the VC, PE, and mining sectors and gain his insight on how those sectors are beginning to mature.

After the exclusive interview with Ibrahim Almojel, the hosts discuss some of the latest news stories on Saudi Arabia.

Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuKNWrgbQPMBIx3XY6YGU

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty30/id1742574206

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://thetwenty30.com

You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC. 

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved. 

About The TWENTY30 Podcast

New futuristic cities built from scratch. Giga-projects. Major sports investments. Trillions in spending. An economy and society changing so quickly even locals sometimes can’t believe their eyes. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to change itself from a conservative society with an oil-dominated economy to a modern and open society with a diversified economy - and to become a global tourism destination. Such a transformation has never before been attempted, and the stakes for the Middle East - and the world - are high. The TWENTY30 is a new media network and podcast that explores the seemingly endless dimensions of the social and economic transformations in Saudi Arabia, which few living outside the Kingdom can truly grasp. From the creator and co-host of The 966 Podcast comes a new platform that tackles the news, issues, challenges, and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as it continues forward in a full-throttle effort to remake itself while the world watches. Featuring exclusive interviews, frank conversations, and in-depth topic exploration, The TWENTY30 is the first bi-weekly English program of its kind dedicated to uncovering and highlighting the road ahead for Saudi Arabia and the region and why it matters.

In Episode 23, hosts Hanaa and Lucien discuss a recent interview with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sport Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud and how the Kingdom is going all-in on football with its recent finalized bid for the World Cup 2034 and major investments into stadiums and the development of local talent -- not just on the pitch but in the administration of its up and coming Saudi Pro League. The hosts conclude as always with the latest news out of Saudi Arabia, a new Arabic word for the episode, and shoutouts to Saudi changemakers playing a key role in the Kingdom's transformation. 

The tourism sector in Saudi Arabia is set to be the fastest growing in the Middle East over the next decade, with an average annual growth of 11%. Joining hosts Hanaa and Lucien this week on the MAINSTAGE segment of The TWENTY30 Podcast is HH Princess Fahda Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi tourism entrepreneur who transformed a popular instagram hobby into a thriving tourism services and consultancy business called ‘The Traveling Panther’ that is now a leader in the space and works closely with the Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism.

In this exclusive conversation with The TWENTY30 Podcast, Princess Fahda discusses the status of the development of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry, which recently soared past a goal of 100 million tourists by 2030 *6 years ahead of schedule.* That achievement caused authorities, who are preparing for major global events in the coming decade, to revise upward its goals for 2030 and beyond. The rapid development of the sector is a key piece of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 social and economic transformation plans, and it is full speed ahead for the public and private sector to develop a thriving industry in Saudi Arabia.

Princess Fahda also emphasized the diverse beauty of the Kingdom across its 13 different regions, shared some of her personal experiences traveling across the Kingdom (and often off the beaten path), and why she believes visiting Saudi Arabia is a must to really understand the deep roots and historical significance of Saudi Arabia’s place in the world today and in the past.

After the discussion with HH Princess Fahda, the hosts get to some of the latest news on Saudi Arabia, including:

🎸A Saudi heavy metal rock band making history in Germany…

🤳Hands-free driving in Saudi Arabia…

📈SABIC’s eye-watering profits in the latest quarter…

👶 And, the birth of a new baby announced for the Crown Prince of Jordan and Princess Rajwa of Jordan are parents and his Saudi wife (Mabrook!). Welcome baby Iman!

Lucien and Hanaa conclude episode 22 with the ‘SHOUTOUTS’ segment, acknowledging the good people doing the real work to advance the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. This week, Lucien gave a shoutout to one of his dearest and oldest friends, Dr. Abdulaziz Alanazi from King Saud University, winner of a prestigious international prize on water, and Dr. Hanaa gave her shoutout to Alaa Alsheikh, who recently gave a great interview on an Arabic podcast.

***

A note from the Hosts:

The TWENTY30 Podcast is on a slightly modified schedule between July 21-September 1.

****

Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0uuKNWrgbQPMBIx3XY6YGU

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty30/id1742574206

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@thetwenty30

Get episodes and exclusive content delivered to your email inbox free:

https://thetwenty30.com

You can also email the show’s hosts with their first names (Lucien @TheTWENTY30.com) or (Hanaa @thetwenty30.com) or email Hosts @ TheTwenty30.com.

***

About The TWENTY30 Podcast

New futuristic cities built from scratch. Giga-projects. Major sports investments. Trillions in spending. An economy and society changing so quickly even locals sometimes can’t believe their eyes. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to change itself from a conservative society with an oil-dominated economy to a modern and open society with a diversified economy - and to become a global tourism destination. Such a transformation has never before been attempted, and the stakes for the Middle East - and the world - are high. The TWENTY30 is a new media network and podcast that explores the seemingly endless dimensions of the social and economic transformations in Saudi Arabia, which few living outside the Kingdom can truly grasp. From the creator and co-host of The 966 Podcast comes a new platform that tackles the news, issues, challenges, and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as it continues forward in a full-throttle effort to remake itself while the world watches. Featuring exclusive interviews, frank conversations, and in-depth topic exploration, The TWENTY30 is the first bi-weekly English program of its kind dedicated to uncovering and highlighting the road ahead for Saudi Arabia and the region and why it matters.

***

The TWENTY30 Podcast is a production of The TWENTY30 Media Group, LLC. 

©The TWENTY30. All rights reserved. 

Hosts Lucien and Hanaa, both located in the U.S. for the first time (though on opposite coasts), catch up on their recent travel and share some feedback from a listener. Before the DEEPDIVE segment, the hosts also share a new segment they're introducing this episode, a "SHOUTOUTS" portion to conclude the program, which shares stories of people who are doing interesting, good, or productive work - especially as it relates to the advancement of Vision 2030 and the transformation underway -- the very subject of this podcast.

In the DEEPDIVE, Lucien gives an overview of a new massive real estate development outside Riyadh. Dubbed "Banan City," this project spans 10 square kilometers and will feature over 20,000 smart homes. The community aims to blend modernity and tradition by offering essential services, educational institutions, and smart city technology, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals. That leads to a discussion of housing market in Saudi Arabia, the Construction market in Saudi Arabia, and a lot more. 

In the news, the hosts once again talk football (soccer?), and IMG's new partnership with the Saudi Pro League, an update on the Saudi economy and oil, and more.

To conclude the show and others going forward, the hosts introduce the SHOUTOUTS segment - recognizing impactful individuals and their recent impressive accomplishments like Abdul-Rahman Al-Gabban of Bechtel Saudi Arabia and Samar Sultan of META. Al-Ghabban recently launched the first Saudi Arabia chapter for buildingSMART International, the worldwide industry body driving the digital transformation of the built asset industry.