Leaders from sport, finance, and technology spotlight golf as a catalyst for cross-border investment, innovation, and cultural exchange at FII Elevated Green in Shenzhen
Golf Saudi, in partnership with the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, hosted the FII Elevated Green program at Mission Hills Resort, Shenzhen, during the Aramco China Championship – the final event of the 2025 PIF Global Series.
The exclusive forum brought together senior leaders from sport, finance, and technology to explore how golf is emerging as a strategic platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), economic diversification, and global collaboration.
“Golf is a bridge to one’s own personal potential. It’s a cultural bridge that leads to trust, and ultimately becomes a bridge for business,” said Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi.
“We’re building the infrastructure and foundation for golf in the Kingdom, learning from global best practices like here at Mission Hills, and leapfrogging to create something truly special.”
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is driving rapid transformation across sectors, with golf positioned as a high-growth asset class. Golf Saudi’s mandate includes course development, mass participation programs, and strategic investments across fashion, retail, agronomy, and entertainment.
The event also spotlighted the Middle East-China Innovation Corridor, with speakers from Primavera Capital, InfiX.ai, and ShoreVest Partners highlighting joint ventures in AI, green energy, and sustainable infrastructure.
“We helped Envision, a Chinese wind turbine giant, partner with Saudi PIF to build green hydrogen and energy storage solutions; a textbook example of cross-border innovation,” said Philip Hu, Managing Director of Primavera Capital.
“Data is the new oil. You don’t want to give it away for free – and our model ensures data privacy while enabling powerful AI applications,” added Arthur Chen, Co-founder of InfiX.ai.
The setting at Mission Hills – the world’s largest golf and leisure facility – underscored the power of sport to stimulate investment.
“Mission Hills became the catalyst to attract foreign investors like Foxconn, Huawei, BYD, and Alibaba,” said Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group. “The golf course serves as an extension of the green office — a place where people connect, collaborate, and build relationships.”
From grassroots development to elite competition, Golf Saudi is positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for sport-led investment.
“Golf is a proven economic engine,” said Alireza. “It’s an obsession, a lifestyle, and a platform for global growth.”
Visit the PIF Global Series website for more information, and click here for more information about the FII Institute.