The map·Saudi Arabia·Support programmes

Fintech Saudi - Makken

Fintech Saudi was launched by the Saudi Central Bank in partnership with the Capital Market Authority in April 2018 to develop the fintech industry in Saudi Arabia.

What
Subsidised cloud and cybersecurity services for early-stage fintechs.
Who
Saudi-registered, majority Saudi-owned fintechs with SAMA or CMA approval, max SAR 10M raised.
Cost
No equity — subsidised services
From abroad
Nationals or residents of Saudi Arabia — Registered in Saudi Arabia with majority Saudi ownership; Approval, permission or licence to operate from SAMA or CMA All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Open · taking applications

Checked · September 2026 · fintechsaudi.sa · How we check ↗

In detail

Fintech Saudi - Makken is a fintech enablement programme (central-bank initiative) in Saudi Arabia. Fintech Saudi was launched by the Saudi Central Bank in partnership with the Capital Market Authority in April 2018 to develop the fintech industry in Saudi Arabia. Its Makken programme is a one-stop shop for technology enablement: cloud infrastructure set up within 72 hours for new fintechs, managed cloud and cybersecurity services, brand protection and security training, with a subsidy for early-stage fintechs. Fintech Saudi also runs office hours, meetups with the regulators and a regulatory assessment tool; its own accelerator page reads "Coming soon".

Amount
Subsidised technology services (in-kind) - subsidy value not published
Terms
No equity - subsidised services
Eligibility
  • Registered in Saudi Arabia
  • no more than SAR 10 million raised
  • majority Saudi ownership
  • principle approval, permission or licence to operate from SAMA or CMA
Sectors
Fintech
Benefits
  • Cloud setup within 72 hours
  • managed cloud services
  • 24/7 SOC monitoring and managed cybersecurity
  • brand protection
  • mobile device management
  • cybersecurity training
Status
Open - Makken application form live (checked September 2026)

What the source says

“Have a majority Saudi ownership”

form.jotform.com/232704560410041 · seen September 2026

“Fintech Saudi was launched by the Saudi Central Bank in partnership with the Capital Market Authority in April 2018 to act as a catalyst for the development of the financial services technology (fintech) industry in Saudi Arabia.”

“A program designed to provide a one-stop-shop for technology enablement, supporting fintech companies and the broader fintech ecosystem to accelerate their growth journey”

“Accelerated Cloud Setup: Cloud infrastructure deployment (Inc. Cyber Components) for new FinTechs within 72 hours.”

“Cloud Infrastructure Managed Services: Managing Cloud Computing Products and Services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) across global leading Cloud Service Providers in the Kingdom.”

“Cybersecurity Managed Services: Advanced Cybersecurity managed services (EDR, VA, DFIR) and 24/7 SOC monitoring offered by leading service providers.”

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 support programmes in Saudi Arabia

iMENA Holding

Support · Saudi Arabia
Raised $135M pre-IPO from Sanabil and FJ Labs; not a funder of other startups.
Not applicable — not a startup funder

All support programmes in Saudi Arabia →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · fintechsaudi.sa · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/fintech-saudi · Checked September 2026

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