- What
- R&D grants (NextEra), TAQADAM non-dilutive funding up to $140K, KIV equity $100K–$700K.
- Who
- Go-to-market-ready companies in or relocating to Saudi Arabia with paying customers and early revenue.
- 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 →
- Timeline
- KAUST Innovation Ventures accepts applications year-round (rolling) ↗As published by the programme itself
Checked · October 2026 · kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate · How we check ↗
In detail
KAUST University is a university / research hub in Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. KAUST Innovation Ventures invests in deep-tech research spinouts.
- Amount
- R&D grants (NextEra)
- TAQADAM up to $140K non-dilutive
- KIV convertible notes and equity, typical tickets $100K–$700K
- Eligibility
- KIV: operating in, incorporated in, or willing to relocate to Saudi Arabia
- go-to-market-ready with paying customers and early revenue
- convertible notes and equity
- applications open year-round
- Services
- KAUST Innovation Ventures
- ScaleX soft-landing
- Lab access
- Status
- Open — KAUST Innovation Ventures accepts applications year-round (checked October 2026)
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what KAUST University publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Operating in, incorporated in, or willing to relocate to Saudi Arabia.”
“We invest in KAUST spinouts, high-growth local ventures, and global deep-tech startups expanding into Saudi Arabia.”
“NextEra aims to incentivize and accelerate the development and innovation activities of tech entrepreneurs and SMEs by providing them with grants.”
“Our investments are structured through convertible notes and equity, with a long-term, partnership-driven approach to growth.”
“From venture creation in our studio to acceleration in our programs, and scaling through product development and soft-landing support, we empower founders at every stage.”
“KAUST state-of-the-art labs, faculty consultation, talent matchmaking, innovation ecosystem, programs to support with incorporation, subsidies and relocation.”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare government programmes in Saudi Arabia
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KAUST UniversityR&D grants (NextEra), TAQADAM non-dilutive funding up to $140K, KIV equity $100K–$700K. | $100K–$700K | Equity or convertible note | Open |
| CMA FinTech Lab (ExPermit)Regulatory permission to test products live; no funding provided. | not published | No equity | Open |
| MCIT — Ministry of CommunicationsAccess to CODE programmes: Tech Founders, incubation and CODE Nine 66. | not published | Not published | Active |
| MISA — Ministry of InvestmentInvestor registration, entrepreneur registration and RHQ programme access. | not published | No equity | Active |
| Premium Residency — Entrepreneur TrackResidency for founders with a round of SAR 400K+ (20% share) or SAR 15M+ (10% share). | not published | No equity | Active |
| SAMA FinTech SandboxRegulatory permission to test fintech and insurtech products. | not published | No equity | Active |
| SHIFT Innovation Center RiyadhInnovation hub with the Digi X-Lab data and AI facility. | not published | No equity | Active |
| Cloud Computing SEZCST-supervised zone: onboarding support and incentives for data centres nationwide. | not published | No equity | Active |
| Cybersecurity Accelerator (National Cybersecurity Authority)Government accelerator for cybersecurity startups; financial support is a goal. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| MEWAMentorship, access to funding and technical assistance. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| Monsha'atLoan guarantees and programme support for SMEs. | not published | Not published | Active |
| PIF Startup EcosystemNot a direct-application fund — invests in funds rather than startups. | not published | Indirect | Active |
| SDAIASaudi AI authority; runs the GAIA generative AI accelerator. | not published | Not published | Active |
| Tourism Development Fund (TDF)Tourism fund: MSME loans via partner banks and lenders, plus a non-financial accelerator. | not published | Loans | Active |
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).
All government programmes in Saudi Arabia → · Across the Gulf →
Questions founders ask
What does KAUST University offer?
R&D grants (NextEra), TAQADAM non-dilutive funding up to $140K, KIV equity $100K–$700K.
Does KAUST University take equity?
Equity or convertible note.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Open to companies from abroad — Must be operating in, incorporated in, or willing to relocate to Saudi Arabia.
Is there a deadline?
No closing date is published; applications are open.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/school/kaust · Checked October 2026