The map·Saudi Arabia·VC funds & investors

KAUST Innovation Ventures

The venture fund of KAUST, backing KAUST spinouts, high-growth local ventures and global deep-tech startups expanding into Saudi Arabia, from proof of concept to commercial scale.

What
Equity investment of $100K–$700K, up to $500K at seed and up to $2M at early stage.
Who
Startups in, or willing to relocate to, Saudi Arabia — health, energy, food, water, AI.
Cost
Equity
From abroad
Open to companies from abroad — Must be operating in, incorporated in, or willing to relocate to Saudi Arabia All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Open · taking applications

Checked · September 2026 · kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate/kaust-innovation-ventur · How we check ↗

In detail

KAUST Innovation Ventures is a university venture fund in Saudi Arabia. The venture fund of KAUST, backing KAUST spinouts, high-growth local ventures and global deep-tech startups expanding into Saudi Arabia, from proof of concept to commercial scale. KAUST affiliation is not a condition.

Amount
Pre-seed to early Series A - typical tickets $100K-$700K; up to $500K at seed stage and up to $2M at early stage
Eligibility
Operating in, incorporated in, or willing to relocate to Saudi Arabia
Sectors
Health, Energy, Food, Water, AI
Status
Active - open application form on its own site

What the source says

“Operating in, incorporated in, or willing to relocate to Saudi Arabia.”

“Typical ticket sizes ranging from $100K to $700K”

“up to $500K at seed stage and up to $2M at early stage”

“We invest in KAUST spinouts, high-growth local ventures, and global deep-tech startups expanding into Saudi Arabia.”

“Five strategic pillars: Health, Energy, Food, Water, and AI.”

Closing soon on the map

Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

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29 Sep 2026closes

Finspire

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4 Oct 2026closes

QSTP Incubation

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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 →

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All VC funds & investors in Saudi Arabia →  ·  Across the Gulf →

Sources

Primary source · kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate/kaust-innovation-ventures · Checked September 2026

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