The map·Saudi Arabia·Loans & guarantees

Social Development Bank (SDB)

Saudi government bank. Its Entrepreneurs Financing is a long-term loan for the assets and operating costs of entrepreneurship projects and startups, applied for fully online.

What
Loans of SAR 50,000–500,000, repayment up to 9 years, grace period up to 12 months.
Who
Saudi nationals aged 21–65 owning 100% of a project registered in the last 12 months.
Cost
No equity — 9% administrative fee, 2% annual service fee
From abroad
Nationals or residents of Saudi Arabia — Applicant must be a Saudi national aged 21 to 65 who owns 100% of the project All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Open · taking applications

Checked · September 2026 · sdb.gov.sa/en/facilities-financing/financing-ent · How we check ↗

In detail

Social Development Bank (SDB) is a government development bank in Saudi Arabia. Saudi government bank. Its Entrepreneurs Financing is a long-term loan for the assets and operating costs of entrepreneurship projects and startups, applied for fully online. Projects qualify as new (idea or feasibility stage, or a commercial registration up to 6 months old), under formation, or start-up; disbursement is 70% then 30%. Conditions include Saudi nationality, age 21 to 65, 100% ownership of the project, full-time dedication, a partner training course and an interview. A separate Excellence Financing offers up to SAR 4 million for innovative or technical projects.

Amount
  • SAR 50,000-500,000
  • repayment up to 9 years (108 months)
  • grace period up to 12 months
Terms
No equity - loan with 9% administrative fees and 2% annual service fees
Eligibility
  • Saudi nationals aged 21-65 who own 100% of the project
  • commercial registration no older than 12 months
  • activity on the list the Bank supports
  • not employed elsewhere
  • up to two guarantors
Sectors
Activities on the list supported by the Bank
Benefits
  • Online application without branch visits
  • service level 35 working days
  • grace period up to 12 months
Status
Open - online application available around the clock; sign-in runs through the national single sign-on (checked September 2026)

What the source says

“The applicant must be of Saudi nationality.”

“a long-term financing product aimed at supporting the assets and operational costs of entrepreneurship projects and startups”

“The financing amount starts from 50,000 SAR and reaches up to 500,000 SAR, without the need to visit any bank branches.”

“Repayment period up to 9 years (108 months).”

“Grace period up to 12 months.”

“9% administrative fees and 2% annual service fees.”

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 loans & guarantees in Saudi Arabia

Kafalah — SME Financing Guarantee Program

Loan · Saudi Arabia
Bank loan guarantee of 80% standard, up to 90–95% in target sectors.
No equity — loan guarantee

All loans & guarantees in Saudi Arabia →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · sdb.gov.sa/en/facilities-financing/financing-entrepreneurs · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/scsb · Checked September 2026

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