The map·Saudi Arabia·Accelerators & incubators

inspireU by stc

The first ICT accelerator in Saudi Arabia, launched by stc group in 2015 — 130+ startups accelerated.

What
General track (3 months) or Advanced track (6 months, invitation-only).
Who
High-growth startups in AI, FinTech, IoT, Cybersecurity, Cloud or PropTech.
Cost
No equity — corporate accelerator
From abroad
Open to companies from outside Saudi Arabia All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Active

Checked · September 2026 · stc.com/en/inspire-u/apply-now.html · How we check ↗

In detail

inspireU by stc is a corporate accelerator in Saudi Arabia. The first ICT accelerator in Saudi Arabia, launched by stc group in 2015 — 130+ startups accelerated. Two tracks: a 3-month General track and a 6-month Advanced track (by invitation only). Programme cadence runs through the ncubex portal (login required).

Amount
Terms not published · two tracks: General (3 months) and Advanced (6 months, by invitation)
Terms
No equity
Eligibility
High-growth startups in AI, FinTech, IoT, Cybersecurity, Cloud, PropTech
Sectors
Digital technology, Telecom, AI, IoT, Cybersecurity
Status
Active

What the source says

“Beyond the GCC, startups from around the world have found in our programs a powerful launchpad into Saudi Arabia, where international founders are equipped to make their mark.”

“inspireU has empowered over 130 startups to contribute to Saudi Arabia's economy”

“launched by stc group in 2015, inspireU has empowered over 130 startups”

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 accelerators & incubators in Saudi Arabia

Antler MENAP

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
$180,000 via SAFE for 11% equity, plus up to $320,000 uncapped follow-on.
Equity — about 11% via SAFE

CODE — Center of Digital Entrepreneurship

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
Access to 7 CODE labs and a 20-partner innovation network.
No equity — accelerator programme

Finspire

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

Newlab Riyadh — Mining Innovation Studio

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
Targeted investment.
No equity — targeted investment

All accelerators & incubators in Saudi Arabia →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · stc.com/en/inspire-u/apply-now.html · Checked September 2026

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