- What
- A 10-week generative-AI accelerator with SAR 150,000 in grants from NTDP.
- Who
- Tech startups building with AI, local and international.
Checked · October 2026 · sdaia.gov.sa/en/Investment/Pages/BusinessAccele… · How we check ↗
In detail
SDAIA GAIA Program is a government AI accelerator in Saudi Arabia. SDAIA’s Generative AI Accelerator — a 10-week programme that gives tech startups AI tools and technologies to develop initial models and solutions, prepare them for market launch and grow. Participants get guidance from SDAIA’s technical and legislative experts and from mentors at global AI and business companies, exclusive access to advanced AI technologies from global tech companies, financial grants totalling SAR 150,000 provided by the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and an opportunity to obtain investment and logistical support. SDAIA counts 49 startups graduated from the accelerator; its page names no current intake.
- Amount
- Financial grants totalling SAR 150,000 (provided by NTDP) · opportunity to obtain investment
- Terms
- Not published
- Eligibility
- Tech startups building with AI; SDAIA’s accelerators build a community of local and international data and AI startups
- Sectors
- Generative AI
- Status
- Dormant-watch — SDAIA’s accelerator page names no current intake or cohort dates (checked September 2026)
What the source says
“The generative AI accelerator is a 10-week program designed to support the journey of entrepreneurs and provide tech startups with AI tools and technologies. The aim is to develop initial models and solutions, prepare these models and solutions for market launch, and support the growth and expansion of startups in the market.”
“The accelerator offers guidance and direction from SDAIA’s experts in technical and legislative fields, as well as experts and mentors from pioneering global companies in the fields of AI and business. It also provides exclusive access to advanced AI technologies from global tech companies.”
“The accelerator offers financial grants totaling 150,000 SAR provided by the National Technology Development Program, along with an opportunity to obtain investment and logistical support for startups”
“Startups graduating from business accelerators T5 Accelerator Companies 12 Generative AI Accelerator 49 AIM-X Accelerator 13”
“It also highlights Saudi Arabia’s active role in this field, and helps build a vibrant community of local and international startups specializing in data and AI.”
“GAIA 10-week accelerator program at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh seeks to enhance the Kingdom's scientific status and pioneering position in AI and targets the entrepreneurship sector and technology startups with coaching sessions and training…”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare accelerators & incubators in Saudi Arabia
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SDAIA GAIA ProgramA 10-week generative-AI accelerator with SAR 150,000 in grants from NTDP. | SAR 150,000 | Not published | Dormant |
| 500 Global SaudiPossible $100,000+ equity investment; $35,000 Phase 1 fee; 12-week Riyadh programme. | $100,000+ | Equity | Closed |
| Antler MENAP$180,000 via SAFE for 11% equity, plus up to $320,000 uncapped follow-on. | up to $320,000 | Equity | Open |
| CODE — Center of Digital EntrepreneurshipCoworking spaces, business services, incubation and acceleration programmes. | not published | Not published | Active |
| Falak Flagship ProgramDirect funding of up to SAR 375,000 plus soft landing and technical enablement. | up to SAR 375,000 | Equity | Dormant |
| FinspireUp to SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash. | up to SAR 100,000 | Equity via SAFE, capped at 5% | Closed |
| Flat6Labs RiyadhSAR 500K in cash seed funding plus SAR 2.4M in follow-on funding. | SAR 2.4M | Equity | Closed |
| inspireU by stcGeneral track (3 months, grants) or Advanced track (6 months, invitation-only, funding). | not published | Not published | Active |
| NEOM Level Up (Gaming Accelerator)Funding for gaming studios. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| Newlab Riyadh — Mining Innovation StudioTargeted investment. | not published | Targeted investments | Active |
| Orbit Ventures (formerly Orbit Startups)$80,000–$100,000 invested in every startup over a 4-month batch. | not published | Equity | Closed |
| Princess Nourah University – University Startup AcceleratorUniversity accelerator with financial and in-kind grants; PNU invests in top startups. | not published | Not published | Active |
| TAQADAMUp to $140K: $40K base grant plus up to $100K follow-on for top teams. | up to $140K | No equity | Closed |
| The GarageIncubator, accelerator and Bridge programmes with free workspace; no funding figure published. | not published | Not published | Active |
| VMSSeed funding and grants plus investor access. | not published | Not published | Active |
| EWAx Sedrah — Environment AcceleratorSupport programme for environment-sector startups. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| GEA Entertainment Accelerator3-month accelerator with workshops, mentors, co-working and investor access; no direct funding. | not published | Free to participate; no direct funding | Closed |
| impactU by stcImpact incubation programme. | not published | No equity | Dormant |
| KAUST ScaleXLab access, faculty consultation and market-entry support in Saudi Arabia; no direct funding. | not published | Free to apply; no direct funding | Closed |
| KSU Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program (Riyadh Valley Company)KSU founder programme: top 3 projects compete for SAR 500,000 initial funding. | SAR 500,000 | Not published | 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 accelerators & incubators in Saudi Arabia → · Across the Gulf →
Questions founders ask
What does SDAIA GAIA Program offer?
A 10-week generative-AI accelerator with SAR 150,000 in grants from NTDP.
Is it open now?
No — it is currently closed. The status on this page follows the programme’s own site.
How do I apply?
No application form is published. Its website is the way in.
Sources
Primary source · sdaia.gov.sa/en/Investment/Pages/BusinessAccelerators.aspx · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/sdaia-ksa · Checked October 2026