Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a hub for global innovation and entrepreneurship. Central to this transformation is the Empowering Accelerators (EA), a product under the National Technology Development Program that subsidizes international and local accelerators to deliver world-class startup support. By covering up to 75% of operational costs, EA incentivizes high-quality accelerators to establish operations in the Kingdom and raise the standards of the local ecosystem.

Why Empowering Accelerators Matters?

The EA program targets venture-capital-backed accelerators with a minimum of two years of operational experience. By combining financial support, strategic partnerships, and increased visibility, EA bridges the gap between Saudi startups and global investment networks.

Key Benefits for Accelerators:

• Financial Support: Up to 75% of operational costs covered.
• Strategic Partnerships: Direct connections with VCs, investors, government agencies, and ecosystem enablers.
• Performance Enhancement: Raising the quality of accelerator programs to global benchmarks.
• Visibility: Highlighting accelerator achievements and success stories within Saudi Arabia’s dynamic innovation scene.

Empowering Accelerators Impact by the Numbers

• Accelerators supported: 10
• Startups supported: 149
• Sectors: Industry-agnostic, DeepTech, Climate Tech, PropTech, FoodTech
• Notable Participants: Flat6Labs, Outlier Ventures, SparkLabs, Gener8tor, Antler, Startup Wise Guys
• Sponsored Accelerators – Initial Startup Investments: $19M+
• Total Enabled Investment (incl. follow-on funding): $75M+
• EA Grants Distributed: $7.5M+

Top Accelerators in Saudi Arabia supported by EA

Below we present the top accelerators in Saudi Arabia supported by the Empowering Accelerators initiative.

Flat6Labs

Origin: Egypt Founding Year: 2011 Sector Focus: Industry-agnostic (FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, SaaS) Description: Flat6Labs is one of the Middle East and Africa’s leading startup accelerators, with operations in over 15 locations. It has supported more than 8,000 entrepreneurs and helped create over 90,000 jobs. In Saudi Arabia, Flat6Labs delivers seed funding, mentorship, and investor access, aligning with Vision 2030 by fostering innovation and inclusivity for local founders.

Outlier Ventures

Origin: United Kingdom Founding Year: 2014 Sector Focus: Blockchain, Web3, Tokenized Economies Description: Outlier Ventures is the world’s leading Web3 accelerator, having supported more than 300 startups and facilitated over $350 million in seed funding. With deep expertise in tokenomics and governance, Outlier Ventures helps Saudi startups design, launch, and scale Web3 solutions, supporting the Kingdom’s ambitions in blockchain and digital assets.

SparkLabs

Origin: South Korea Founding Year: 2013 Sector Focus: AI, Semiconductor, DeepTech, IoT Description: SparkLabs operates one of the largest global networks of accelerators and venture capital funds, with over 550 startups supported across six continents. In Saudi Arabia, SparkLabs brings its global mentor and investor networks to help local founders commercialize advanced technologies and expand internationally.

Gener8tor

Origin: United States Founding Year: 2012 Sector Focus: Industry-agnostic Startup Programs and Workforce Training Description: Gener8tor runs 12-week accelerator programs providing seed capital, mentorship, and investor connections. In Saudi Arabia, it complements the national diversification strategy by nurturing high-growth startups and enhancing workforce skills, helping create a strong entrepreneurial base for the Kingdom’s economy.

Antler

Origin: Singapore Founding Year: 2017 Sector Focus: Industry-agnostic with Early-Stage Company Formation Description: Antler is the world’s most active seed-stage investor with a presence in 27 cities worldwide. It specializes in taking founders from idea to global scale. In Saudi Arabia, Antler identifies exceptional local talent, co-founds startups, and provides early-stage funding to build a robust pipeline of innovative companies.

Startup Wise Guys (SWG)

Origin: Estonia Founding Year: 2012 Sector Focus: Industry-agnostic with PropTech Specialization in Saudi Arabia Description: Startup Wise Guys is a top European accelerator with over 450 startups from 60+ countries. In Saudi Arabia, it runs a PropTech-focused program supporting startups in real estate technology, construction tech, and urban sustainability solutions.

Strategic Significance for Saudi Arabia

Through EA, Saudi Arabia is systematically building an innovation-driven economy by: Importing Global Best Practices: Bringing high-performing accelerators into the Kingdom.

• Attracting Venture Capital: Creating an investor-friendly environment.
• Scaling Strategic Sectors: From AI to FoodTech and PropTech.
• Developing Local Talent: Supporting founders and workforce development.

Future Outlook: Saudi Arabia as a Global Innovation Hub

The Empowering Accelerators product positions Saudi Arabia as a launchpad for startups entering the Middle East and beyond. By hosting globally recognized accelerators, the Kingdom is laying the foundation for a sustainable and competitive startup ecosystem capable of generating thousands of jobs and high-value industries. Accelerators and investors interested in establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia can learn more about the Empowering Accelerators product and discover how to become part of the Kingdom’s thriving innovation ecosystem.