The map·Kuwait·Government programmes

CBK Wolooj Innovation Hub

Central Bank of Kuwait's innovation hub for FinTech R&D — five themes: cybersecurity & data privacy, regulatory compliance, sustainable finance, open banking, AI in finance.

What
R&D programme support for fintech innovation projects.
Who
FinTech innovators — banks, startups and research teams.
Cost
No equity — programme support
From abroad
Not stated on the programme’s site (checked September 2026) All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Active

Checked · September 2026 · cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovat · How we check ↗

Apply →Website ↗On the map →

In detail

CBK Wolooj Innovation Hub is a central-bank innovation hub in Kuwait. Central Bank of Kuwait's innovation hub for FinTech R&D — five themes: cybersecurity & data privacy, regulatory compliance, sustainable finance, open banking, AI in finance. Rolling submissions.

Amount
R&D programme support
Terms
No equity
Eligibility
FinTech innovators — banks, startups, research teams
Sectors
Open Banking, AI in finance, sustainable FinTech
Benefits
CBK collaboration · Bank pilot pathways
Status
Active

What the source says

“drive innovation in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization, Information Security, Financial Technology (FinTech), and Supervisory and Regulatory Technology (SupTech/RegTech).”

cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovation-hub/over · seen September 2026

“forward-looking research, fostering innovation to explore emerging trends and technologies in the financial and central banking sectors.”

cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovation-hub/over · seen September 2026

Closing soon on the map

Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

Grant · Saudi Arabia
Up to SAR 500,000 non-repayable per project, capped at 20 projects total.
No equity — grant
29 Sep 2026closes

Finspire

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash.
Equity via SAFE, capped at 5%
4 Oct 2026closes

QSTP Incubation

Accelerator · Qatar
In-kind support: Doha workspace and housing for a four-week Sprint, talent and investor access.
Equity — 1.5% deferred SAFE-style stake
1 Nov 2026closes

All published deadlines →

More government programmes in Kuwait

CBK Wolooj Regulatory Sandbox

Government · Kuwait
Regulatory permission to test fintech products live; no funding provided.
No equity — service or permission
—

CBK Digital Banking Guidelines

Government · Kuwait
A licensing pathway toward operating a digital bank.
No equity — service or permission
—

CMA FinTech Unit (Module 19)

Government · Kuwait
Regulatory permission to operate as a securities crowdfunding platform or fintech.
No equity — service or permission
—

KDIPA

Government · Kuwait
Up to 100% foreign ownership and up to a 10-year tax holiday for investors.
No equity — service or permission
—

All government programmes in Kuwait →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · cbk.gov.kw/en/legislation-and-regulation/innovation-hub/overview · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/cbkkw · Checked September 2026

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