Sohar International has partnered with Terminal 11 to establish the Sohar | Innovation Hub, a dedicated platform aimed at supporting fintech startups and technology entrepreneurs in Oman. The bank will serve as Terminal 11’s exclusive banking partner, providing financial infrastructure, institutional support, and access to expertise designed to help emerging ventures develop and commercialize new financial solutions. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Oman’s innovation ecosystem and advance the country’s ambitions in digital finance and entrepreneurship.
Partnership Brings Banking Support to Startups
The agreement was signed at Sohar International’s headquarters by CEO Abdulwahid Al Murshidi and Terminal 11 CEO Abdullah Al Badi, alongside executives from both organizations. Terminal 11 is an innovation hub connecting startups, corporates, investors, and government stakeholders to develop, test, and scale solutions for regional and international markets, and was initiated by the private sector in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority. Through the partnership, Sohar International will provide participating fintech ventures with banking expertise, strategic connections, and institutional support intended to accelerate their development.
Dedicated Hub Targets Fintech Development
Sohar | Innovation Hub has been designed as a co-creation environment where fintech founders and technology ventures can access banking expertise, regulatory guidance, financial infrastructure, and opportunities to collaborate with institutional stakeholders. By engaging with startups from the early stages of product development, Sohar International aims to simplify market entry, improve commercial readiness, and help ventures develop solutions capable of scaling. The hub will support companies from early-stage startups through growth-stage fintechs, with access to tailored banking solutions, investors, regulators, strategic partners, and specialist guidance.
Supporting Oman’s Digital Economy
Sohar International said the initiative reflects its broader role as an enabler of innovation beyond traditional banking services and aligns with Oman’s Vision 2040 ambitions. Al Murshidi emphasized that building a competitive innovation economy requires collaboration between financial institutions, government entities, regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs, particularly as Oman seeks to strengthen its position in digital finance. The bank expects greater support for fintech ventures to contribute to a more diversified and resilient financial sector while helping technology-led businesses develop solutions with regional and global potential.
Terminal 11 Strengthens the Innovation Ecosystem
Terminal 11 is positioned as a collaborative environment where startups can interact with corporate partners, investors, government bodies, and other organizations involved in Oman’s technology economy. Its model is intended to help companies test ideas, build partnerships, and develop market-ready solutions, while the addition of Sohar International gives fintech participants direct access to financial-sector capabilities and institutional infrastructure. Applications to join Sohar | Innovation Hub are now open to fintech founders, startup entrepreneurs, and technology innovators seeking support to develop and scale financial solutions.
The launch of Sohar | Innovation Hub strengthens the connection between Oman’s banking sector and its growing fintech ecosystem. By combining Sohar International’s financial capabilities with Terminal 11’s network of startups, corporates, investors, and government stakeholders, the partnership is designed to create a clearer pathway from product development to commercialization. The initiative also supports Oman’s broader goal of building a more technology-driven economy and establishing a stronger regional position in financial innovation.