Incubators & Accelerators

King Saud University enters the startup game with Riyadh Valley

King Saud University's investment arm has partnered with SparkLabs to establish a venture fund and four-month accelerator program launching in April. The move marks a significant shift in how major Gulf research institutions approach commercialization of academic research and represents a direct challenge to private venture firms dominating early-stage funding in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi accelerator Exel by Merak funds 17 startups with $5.1 Million

Exel by Merak has awarded $5.1 million to 17 startups graduating from its second gaming accelerator cohort, as part of the $80 million Merak Gaming Fund supporting Saudi Arabia’s games industry under Vision 2030.

Germany and Qatar Launch Deep Tech Innovation Hub in Doha

ESMT Berlin partners with Qatar Investment Authority and QRDI Council to launch DEEP Qatar innovation hub supporting 150+ deep tech projects over three years.

Qatar doubles down on Startups with $2 Billion fund Injection at Web Summit 2026

Sovereign wealth fund expands venture program as Qatar pursues tech dominance alongside Saudi Arabia, UAE

Entrepreneurship Vision hosts fifth edition of entrepreneurial meetings alongside FII9

HRH Prince Fahad bin Mansour led the fifth Entrepreneurial Meetings at FII9 in Riyadh, joined by NTDP CEO Ibrahim Neyaz, MISA, and 500 Global leaders to advance Saudi entrepreneurship under Vision 2030.

Dubai expands Startup ecosystem with launch of FoundersHQ

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed unveiled Dubai Founders HQ — a hybrid startup hub connecting founders, investors, and accelerators like Hub71 and The Garage under Dubai’s D33 agenda.

Will Riyadh’s Biban 2025 turn ambition into execution?

Biban 2025 opens in Riyadh on November 5 with 10,000 investment opportunities and 100 brands, testing whether Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem can move from ambition to independence.

Abu Dhabi strengthens its innovation economy with Hub71+ life Sciences

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 launches Hub71+ Life Sciences to drive biotech and digital health innovation as MENA’s healthcare market nears USD 412 billion by 2032.

Flat6Labs and UNDP open fourth round of green growth accelerator

UNDP and partners open applications for Cohort 4 of the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator Project in Jordan to support SMEs driving sustainability and green jobs.

UAE corporate giant Crescent Enterprises launches $68M venture-building initiative

Crescent Enterprises, the Sharjah-based diversified conglomerate, has launched a $68 million (AED 250 million) venture-building programme to expand CE-Creates, its internal venture studio focused on developing high-growth and impact-driven businesses.

The Garage and Ministry of Energy open Taqatech applications to global startups driving the energy transition

Applications are now open for Saudi Arabia’s TAQAtech accelerator — launched by the Ministry of Energy and The Garage — to support 60 startups in hydrogen, carbon capture, and AI-driven energy innovation.

Every founder’s guide to startup programs powering the UAE ecosystem

13 startups from Saudi Arabia’s Garage 8th Cohort Demo Day catching investor attention