- What
- Share of USD 1M in equity-free cash prizes; finals in Riyadh, November 2027.
- Who
- Startups under 10 years old at idea, early or growth stage; apply by 31 May 2027.
- From abroad
- Open to companies from outside Saudi Arabia — Startups less than 10 years old as of the Global Finals; Team members at least 18 years old All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Checked · November 2026 · entrepreneurshipworldcup.com · How we check ↗
In detail
Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GEN is a startup competition (equity-free cash prizes) in Saudi Arabia. Global startup competition co-hosted by Monsha'at, Saudi Arabia's SME Authority, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). EWC 2026 awards USD 1,000,000 in equity-free cash prizes across the Idea, Early and Growth stage tracks, plus an AI track with four sub-track prizes; the top 100 finalists also receive mentorship and direct investor networking and compete at the Global Finals in Riyadh, part of the Biban Global Forum in November 2027. No application fee; startups must be less than 10 years old as of the Global Finals.
- Amount
- USD 1,000,000 in equity-free cash prizes
- Early Stage grand prize $200,000
- Growth Stage grand prize $160,000
- Idea Stage grand prize $30,000
- AI sub-tracks $50,000 each
- Terms
- No — 100% equity-free cash prizes; no application fee
- Eligibility
- Startups at idea, early and growth stage, less than 10 years old as of the Global Finals · team members at least 18 years old
- Sectors
- All industries
- AI sub-tracks: AI infrastructure & platforms
- smart manufacturing & mobility
- energy, water & sustainable systems
- gaming & immersive tech
- Benefits
- All-expenses-paid trip to the Global Finals in Riyadh for finalists · mentorship and investor networking for the top 100
- Status
- Open — applications for EWC 2026 close 31 May 2027 (published deadline); Global Finals in Riyadh in November 2027 (checked November 2026)
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GEN publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Applications Open Startups apply globally across tracks: Idea, Early, Growth, and Artificial Intelligence Closes 31 May 2027”
“At EWC 2026, we are fueling global momentum by awarding $1,000,000 across three core tracks: Idea, Early, and Growth stage, ensuring every entrepreneur finds their fit regardless of where they are in their journey.”
“Early Stage Grand Prize $200,000 Runner Up $150,000 3rd Place $90,000 4th Place $50,000 · Growth Stage Grand Prize $160,000 Runner Up $100,000 · Idea Stage Grand Prize $30,000 Runner Up $20,000 · AI Sub-Tracks $50,000 each”
“Equity-free cash awards across 12 winners”
“Co-hosted by Monsha’at (Saudi Arabia’s SME Authority) and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), EWC is committed to democratizing access to global innovation ecosystems.”
“The EWC Global Finals will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Biban Global Forum in November 2027.”
Closing soon on the map
Azal Innovation Program (Doha Design District / Msheireb Properties)
Compare grants & prizes in Saudi Arabia
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GENShare of USD 1M in equity-free cash prizes; finals in Riyadh, November 2027. | USD 1M | No equity | Open |
| Cultural Development Fund (CDF)Financial incentives of up to SAR 500,000 per project for AI in culture. | up to SAR 500,000 | No equity | Closed |
| KFUPM × DTV Postdoctoral Startup Fellowship ProgramKFUPM × DTV fellowship: USD 48,000 salary plus USD 32,000 milestone funding for a startup. | USD 48,000 | Milestone-based startup equity funding | Active |
| Misk FoundationChallenge for Change: SAR 1M grant to one winner per track (three tracks); latest round closed 4 April 2026. | SAR 1M | No equity | Closed |
| NTDP — National Technology Development ProgramMVPLab grants up to SAR 150,000; Tamkeen incentives for tech staff. | up to SAR 150,000 | No equity | Open |
| RDIA — Saudi Innovation GrantsInnovation grants of up to SAR 4 million per project (Saudi Innovation Grants Program). | up to SAR 4 million | No equity | Closed |
| ASICS Innovation Pitch (Saudi Sports for All Federation)Pitch competition with cash prizes of SAR 20,000, 10,000 and 5,000 (2025 edition). | SAR 20,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Jameel Deeptech Initiative (StartSmart Saudi)Deep-tech venture builder with SAR 2.25M in cash prizes for its top three teams. | SAR 2.25M | Grant prize money | Closed |
| Qassim University Innovation Incubator (Innovation and Intellectual Property Center)University grants for start-ups and prizes worth SAR 50,000. | SAR 50,000 | Not published | Active |
| Venture-Z Startup Competition (ICSDI, Prince Sultan University)Prize money of SAR 30,000, 20,000 and 10,000 for the top three startups. | SAR 30,000 | No equity | Closed |
No programmes match these filters.
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
More programmes that take no equity →
Questions founders ask
What does Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GEN offer?
Share of USD 1M in equity-free cash prizes; finals in Riyadh, November 2027.
Does Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GEN take equity?
No equity — cash prizes; no application fee.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Open to companies from outside Saudi Arabia — Startups less than 10 years old as of the Global Finals; Team members at least 18 years old.
Is there a deadline?
Yes — applications close 31 May 2027.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · entrepreneurshipworldcup.com · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurship-world-cup · Checked November 2026