The map·Saudi Arabia·Accelerators & incubators

TAQADAM

Global six-month startup accelerator by KAUST and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), running since 2016 — 290+ startups backed, $459M+ raised, 4,600+ jobs created.

What
Up to $140K: $40K base grant plus up to $100K follow-on for top teams.
Who
Teams of 2+ founders, any industry, Saudi or international, planning KSA expansion within a year.
Cost
No equity — grant
From abroad
Open to companies from abroad — International startups must have a realistic, clear and obtainable plan to expand to Saudi Arabia within one year of the programme starting date. All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Active

Checked · September 2026 · taqadam.kaust.edu.sa · How we check ↗

Apply →Website ↗On the map →

In detail

TAQADAM is a university accelerator in Saudi Arabia. Global six-month startup accelerator by KAUST and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), running since 2016 — 290+ startups backed, $459M+ raised, 4,600+ jobs created.

Amount
Up to $140K ($40K base grant + up to $100K follow-on for top teams)
Terms
Non-dilutive grant funding
Eligibility
2+ founders, any industry; Saudi or international startups with a plan to expand to KSA within 1 year
Sectors
Sector-agnostic — Energy, FinTech, Health, Logistics, Gaming, AgriTech & more
Benefits
  • Up to $140K funding
  • 1:1 mentorship
  • Workshops
  • Investor & ecosystem network
  • KSA incorporation support
Status
Active — applications open once a year, historically in April and closing by May or June (KAUST); until then the site offers Register Interest

What the source says

“Yes, however, we have a condition for international startups to have a realistic, clear and obtainable plan to expand to Saudi Arabia within the span of one year from the program starting date.”

taqadam.kaust.edu.sa · seen September 2026

“'6-month hybrid program' ... 'founded in 2016 by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in partnership with SAB'”

hubspot.kaust.edu.sa/taqadam/what-is-taqadam-accelerator · seen September 2026

“founded in 2016 by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)”

hubspot.kaust.edu.sa/taqadam/what-is-taqadam-accelerator · seen September 2026

“290+ startups supported”

taqadam.kaust.edu.sa · seen September 2026

“$459 million in investments raised collectively”

taqadam.kaust.edu.sa · seen September 2026

“4,600+ jobs created”

taqadam.kaust.edu.sa · seen September 2026

Closing soon on the map

Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

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All accelerators & incubators in Saudi Arabia →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · taqadam.kaust.edu.sa · Checked September 2026

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