Mohammad Khoujah, CEO, Backyard Symphony
Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector is changing now, and fast. We see new ideas reshaping how traditions are respected, how stories are told, and how communities come together to work toward achieving a common goal. In the middle of this shift stands Mohammad Khoujah, CEO of Backyard Symphony, whose work blends design, technology, and creativity to reimagine what cultural experiences can mean for people today.
Mohammad took a fascination with storytelling and experiential moments from the very beginning. “I was drawn to the world of culture and entertainment because of its power to inspire, connect, and empower communities,” he reflects. What started as an intrinsic drive for the art of storytelling and experiences quickly turned into a professional calling, leading Mohammad to work on cultural management, large national programs, and toward projects both honoring heritage and introducing fresh, innovative ideas.
It was this innate drive that led to the creation of Backyard Symphony in 2010 (but it wouldn’t be until 2019 that Mohammad would fully commit himself to the venture). Backyard Symphony is not just an events management company, but also one that builds ecosystems where creativity welcomes strategy and execution at the gate. The firm was born from this vision: to create a platform that bridges culture with advanced technology, design, and management, delivering world-class experiences coupled with local authenticity. “It’s not just about managing projects. It’s about creating everlasting memories and ensuring the quality of experiences for our partners, communities, and the Kingdom’s cultural vision,” he says. This is the story of Mohammad Khoujah.
An Intrapreneurial Mindset
Before establishing Backyard Symphony, Mohammad had already built a reputation as an intrapreneur, a leader who pushes innovation from the inside. In large-scale cultural and event management projects, he constantly sought ways to integrate technology, introduce fresh ideas, and streamline processes. “Every challenge was an opportunity to innovate,” he states. And that very mindset became the DNA of Backyard Symphony itself: an agile ecosystem where experimentation is encouraged, yet discipline and structure take center stage.
Mohammad’s leadership style reflects a similar belief. He empowers his team to think beyond mere job titles and what’s conventionally accepted. He champions team ideas and helps each of them contribute directly to the company’s future. And the result is a workplace that thrives on creativity without compromising excellence, an approach that has made the firm a trendsetter in Saudi Arabia’s spirited cultural industry.
Turning Challenges into Breakthroughs
Like many fellow entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in the world, Mohammad’s path faced its own fair share of challenges in the early days of Backyard Symphony. One of the most trying ones was building trust and meaningful relationships with a relatively young industry, while also proving that Saudi Arabia could deliver projects of both local authenticity and global standard.
Aside from the strict deadlines and fixed budgets, the rising skepticism from the company’s stakeholders proved to be a major hurdle. But Mohammad didn’t see these as roadblocks. Instead, he approached them as opportunities to learn from and grow the business into the future. And so he began fostering a team that excels under pressure, introducing new project management systems, and forging better partnerships with local and international experts. “These moments pushed us to become more agile and resourceful. They also gave us the confidence to deliver complex, high-impact projects, and to show that culture and entertainment in our region can indeed compete on a global stage,” he shares.
Leadership Rooted in Balance
For Mohammad, leading Backyard Symphony means striking the perfect balance between big ideas and precise execution. On one side, he encourages his teams to think outside the box but strongly insists on the discipline and systems needed to deliver results. On the other side, Mohammad views every project connected to a higher purpose, be it through preserving heritage, creating immersive experiences using emergent technologies and mixed realities, or contributing to the Kingdom’s overall cultural transformation.
Furthermore, he recognizes the guidance of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, whose enabling vision has placed both culture and creativity central to the country’s cultural identity and economic growth. “His vision has given us not only the confidence to innovate but also a clear path of sustainability,” he notes.
Yet, running cultural projects and events is rather demanding work, often stretching late into the night. Despite this taxing role, Mohammad doesn’t see work and life as two separate worlds. And so, he views balance as putting his energy into what only he can do as Founder and CEO, while trusting his team to lead responsibly in their own individual areas. This, Mohammad believes, builds leadership across Backyard Symphony and keeps him focused on the more important, creative and strategic decisions.
A Future of Enduring Impact
Moving forward, Mohammad’s goal is to establish Backyard Symphony as a cultural, technology-powered creative collective of specialized melodies. Especially one that influences not just projects but also the very standards of quality in the industry. He envisions a future where the firm plays an important role in driving Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Revolution, encouraging neighboring countries, and contributing to Vision 2030.
Globally, Mohammad also seeks to uncover how creative storylines, design, and technology can improve deep-seated traditions. “Ultimately, our goal is to leave behind a legacy and demonstrate that the Middle East can lead the world in cultural and valuable entertainment,” he underlines.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Legacy isn’t measured just in the number of records made, awards won, or successful projects completed within the deadlines. Rather, it’s also about the impact Mohammad leaves on the people and across multiple industries. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: to begin with purpose, where creativity and innovation must be powerful but grounded in deep understanding. He also stresses the importance of pairing imagination with execution, discipline, and quality.
In other respects, Mohammad reiterates the power of building strong teams and ecosystems of people who help one another, share passions, and carry a common goal forward. And in the context of the Kingdom’s rapid expansion, he pushes emerging entrepreneurs to recognize how a national vision and good leadership can amplify individual creativity into societal impact.
Mohammad’s story focuses on shaping a new cultural era for Saudi Arabia’s sectors. And through technology, creativity, and purpose-driven leadership, Mohammad Khoujah designs experiences that benefit communities today while guiding the next generation into a brighter and better tomorrow.