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T2
An MIT competition. A $10M outcome. A startup that moved to Saudi Arabia.
How ZTO turned a single event into a global investment story for stc’s accelerator.
The Situation
stc needs to highlight the role its accelerator (inspireU) plays in bringing foreign investment to Saudi Arabia — which is underrecognized, limiting its influence, visibility, and potential partnerships.
Tens of high-quality events happen in Saudi Arabia every year. Most of them disappear the day after they end. The investment produces no lasting impact because nobody told the story to the ecosystem that needed to hear it.
What ZTO Did
Two phases. Three months.
Phase 01
Event & Campaign Consultation
ZTO led the full strategy for a high-stakes event built to attract foreign AI investments into Saudi Arabia via an AI competition, bringing in VIP guests and key decision-makers to boost visibility and influence.
Phase 02
Advising on Media Coverage
ZTO consulted on a media strategy that spotlights stc’s role in bringing global investments, specifically in AI, and drives long-term visibility for stc & inspireU beyond the event.
Impact
Measurable outcomes.
$10M
Raised by PublicAI — led by STC
2,500+
Applicants for next cohort
Gov Recognition
From top government entities
Impact Indicators
Investment Attraction
73
Applicant Growth
78
Government Recognition
100
Key Milestones
Investment Closed
Next Cohort Applicants
Perception Trajectory
Market recognition over time
The Outcome
PublicAI won the competition. They came to Saudi Arabia. They raised $10 million — in a round led by STC itself.
ZTO’s coverage is the thread connecting those events. PublicAI arrived in Saudi Arabia already known, already validated, already part of a story the ecosystem had been following.
“Tens of these events happen every year and no one hears about them. ZTO understood what we were trying to accomplish at an ecosystem level.”
— [Name, Title — inspireU / STC]
The gap between what your company has built and what the market believes is a commercial problem. ZTO closes that gap.