The National Technology Development Program (NTDP) has partnered with the FII Institute to accelerate the growth of impact-driven startups across Saudi Arabia, enhancing the reach and scope of the FII Ventures Program. The collaboration combines NTDP’s national innovation mandate with the Institute’s global network and investment expertise, offering startups access to capital, mentorship, and international exposure while connecting them to global markets and industry leaders.
Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem has seen remarkable growth over the past few years. According to MAGNiTT’s 2024 MENA Venture Investment Report, the Kingdom accounted for nearly 45% of total venture capital deals in the region, signaling its rising prominence as an innovation hub. The NTDP & FII Institute partnership aims to capitalize on this momentum by providing structured growth opportunities, particularly in high-impact sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, sustainability, and climate technology. Startups will also gain access to research and development collaborations with universities and industrial partners, supporting innovation that is both commercially viable and socially impactful.
Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of the FII Institute, highlighted the role of the Ventures Program in creating a complete innovation ecosystem. “Our goal is to connect visionary founders with the resources they need to transform ideas into scalable solutions,” he said. “By partnering with NTDP, we are building a full-cycle innovation loop from incubation and de-risking to scaling and global exposure.”
Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO of NTDP, emphasized that the initiative aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global technology hub. “This partnership provides startups not just with capital, but also mentorship, strategic guidance, and international networks,” Neyaz said. “It strengthens the ecosystem and ensures that innovative ideas can be transformed into real-world solutions with global impact.”
The program will support startups through initiatives such as MVPLab and NextEra Bootcamps, offering structured training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Companies like HUMAIN, a PIF-backed AI startup focused on Arabic-first language models and enterprise-scale AI solutions, exemplify the type of high-potential ventures that can benefit from the program. HUMAIN has rapidly expanded its footprint and illustrates the potential for Saudi startups to gain both regional and international recognition.
Global trends also show a growing emphasis on impact-driven startups. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) reports that impact investing has reached over $1.2 trillion worldwide, reflecting increasing investor interest in companies that combine profitability with measurable social impact. By offering capital, mentorship, and global market access, NTDP and the FII Institute are positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of this growing sector.
Through this partnership, the Kingdom demonstrates its commitment to building a vibrant startup ecosystem, promoting sustainable economic growth, and solidifying its role as a leader in technological innovation. By integrating financial support, mentorship, R&D collaboration, and international exposure, NTDP and the FII Institute aim to create an ecosystem where startups can thrive locally, regionally, and globally.
NTDP collaborates with FII institute to scale high-impact startups