The map·Saudi Arabia·Government programmes

KAUST University

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

What
R&D grants plus equity investment.
Who
Go-to-market-ready companies in or relocating to Saudi Arabia with paying customers and early revenue.
Cost
Equity or convertible note
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
Active

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

Apply →Website ↗On the map →

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 + equity investment
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
  • R&D support
Status
Active

What the source says

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

kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate/kaust-innovation-ventures · seen September 2026

“The National Transformation Institute (NTI) is KAUST's catalyst for innovation and economic growth in Saudi Arabia.”

kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate · seen September 2026

“from lab scale to pilot to proven — across energy, food security, health and advanced materials.”

kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate · seen September 2026

“tailored go-to-market strategies to successfully bring KAUST's research from the lab to the marketplace”

kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate · seen September 2026

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 government programmes in Saudi Arabia

CMA FinTech Lab (ExPermit)

Government · Saudi Arabia
Regulatory permission to test products live; no funding provided.
No equity — service or permission
—

MCIT — Ministry of Communications

Government · Saudi Arabia
Access to CODE programmes and national financing.
—

MISA — Ministry of Investment

Government · Saudi Arabia
Investor registration, RHQ programme access and Startup Saudi services.
No equity — service or permission
—

Premium Residency — Entrepreneur Track

Government · Saudi Arabia
Residency for founders with a round of SAR 400K+ (20% share) or SAR 15M+ (10% share).
No equity — one-time fee SAR 4,000
—

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

Sources

Primary source · kaust.edu.sa/en/innovate · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/school/kaust · Checked September 2026

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