- What
- Prize money of SAR 30,000, 20,000 and 10,000 for the top three startups.
- Who
- A viable business idea or an early-stage startup.
Checked · November 2026 · icsdi.org/studentscompetitions · How we check ↗
In detail
Venture-Z Startup Competition (ICSDI, Prince Sultan University) is a university startup competition in Saudi Arabia. Startup competition at the International Conference on Sustainable Development and Innovation (ICSDI) in Riyadh. Prince Sultan University provides financial support for the awards to the top three startups: SAR 30,000, SAR 20,000 and SAR 10,000. Open to a viable business idea or an early-stage startup. The submission deadline of the current edition has passed; the next edition is not announced.
- Amount
- SAR 30,000 / 20,000 / 10,000 for the top three startups, with financial support from Prince Sultan University
- Terms
- No — prize
- Eligibility
- A viable business idea or an early-stage startup
- Status
- Closed — the submission deadline has passed; next edition not announced (checked November 2026)
What the source says
“the awards for the top three startups in the competition ... along with financial support from Prince Sultan University, as follow:”
“1st place 30, 000 SAR · 2nd 20, 000 SAR · 3rd 10, 000 SAR”
“Must have a viable business idea or an early-stage startup.”
“RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA”
“The submission deadline has passed!”
“Prince Sultan University, P.O.Box No. 66833 Rafha Street, Riyadh 11586 Saudi Arabia · +966 - 11 - 494-8000 · icsdi@psu.edu.sa”
Closing soon on the map
Azal Innovation Program (Doha Design District / Msheireb Properties)
Compare grants & prizes in Saudi Arabia
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Venture-Z Startup Competition (ICSDI, Prince Sultan University)Prize money of SAR 30,000, 20,000 and 10,000 for the top three startups. | SAR 30,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Cultural Development Fund (CDF)Financial incentives of up to SAR 500,000 per project for AI in culture. | up to SAR 500,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) — Monsha'at × GENShare of USD 1M in equity-free cash prizes; finals in Riyadh, November 2027. | USD 1M | No equity | Open |
| KFUPM × DTV Postdoctoral Startup Fellowship ProgramKFUPM × DTV fellowship: USD 48,000 salary plus USD 32,000 milestone funding for a startup. | USD 48,000 | Milestone-based startup equity funding | Active |
| Misk FoundationChallenge for Change: SAR 1M grant to one winner per track (three tracks); latest round closed 4 April 2026. | SAR 1M | No equity | Closed |
| NTDP — National Technology Development ProgramMVPLab grants up to SAR 150,000; Tamkeen incentives for tech staff. | up to SAR 150,000 | No equity | Open |
| RDIA — Saudi Innovation GrantsInnovation grants of up to SAR 4 million per project (Saudi Innovation Grants Program). | up to SAR 4 million | No equity | Closed |
| ASICS Innovation Pitch (Saudi Sports for All Federation)Pitch competition with cash prizes of SAR 20,000, 10,000 and 5,000 (2025 edition). | SAR 20,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Jameel Deeptech Initiative (StartSmart Saudi)Deep-tech venture builder with SAR 2.25M in cash prizes for its top three teams. | SAR 2.25M | Grant prize money | Closed |
| Qassim University Innovation Incubator (Innovation and Intellectual Property Center)University grants for start-ups and prizes worth SAR 50,000. | SAR 50,000 | 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).
More programmes that take no equity →
Questions founders ask
What does Venture-Z Startup Competition (ICSDI, Prince Sultan University) offer?
Prize money of SAR 30,000, 20,000 and 10,000 for the top three startups.
Does Venture-Z Startup Competition (ICSDI, Prince Sultan University) take equity?
No equity — prize.
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 · icsdi.org/studentscompetitions · Checked November 2026