🚀 I Reviewed Every Saudi Accelerator So You Don’t Have To
From 500 Global to NTDP and Misk — here’s a founder-friendly guide to Saudi’s top startup programs. DM me for the full table with links, forms, and tips.
🧭 Why This Matters
If you’re a founder trying to enter the Saudi market — or already building here — you’ve likely come across names like Sanabil, Misk, NTDP, CODE, Flat6Labs. The truth is: Saudi Arabia has no shortage of accelerator programs, grants, and founder support — but understanding what’s relevant to you, when deadlines hit, and how to get in can feel like a full-time job.
So I did the work for you.
I’ve reviewed every active accelerator in the Kingdom — not just the glossy public info, but what the experience feels like as a founder. This is not a ranking. It’s a real-world field guide.
🧪 What I Reviewed
I looked at over a dozen programs across four tracks:
🧠 Top-tier VC-backed accelerators (like 500 Global and Orbit)
🏛 Government-backed initiatives (NTDP, MCIT CODE)
🎓 Educational bootcamps and founder training (MISK, Sanabil Unlocked)
💸 Local grants and co-investment programs (Bridge, Source Tech, Flat6Labs)
Each one was scored on clarity, benefits, real investor access, mentorship quality, and founder-friendliness.
📘 NTDP, MCIT, and National Platforms
Saudi Arabia’s public sector is serious about technology.
Programs under NTDP (National Technology Development Program) and MCIT (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology) are designed to support high-growth founders across AI, fintech, SaaS, and national infrastructure.
NTDP AIM is especially exciting for AI-first companies. It’s built for serious technical founders and offers access to R&D, industrial partnerships, and public datasets — a unique national advantage.
NTDP Bridge and Source Tech both focus on scaling and product development. They’re ideal if you’ve already got traction and are ready to localize or scale your stack in line with Vision 2030 priorities.
MCIT’s CODE program is evolving into a major ecosystem builder — especially strong if you want national visibility and peer connection.
These programs may vary in application style, but all signal one thing clearly: the government wants your innovation, and they’re willing to support it.
📘 Sanabil, 500 Global, and Orbit Startups
When it comes to international-style acceleration, few names carry more weight in Saudi than Sanabil.
Through their work with 500 Global, they offer two distinct tracks:
Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global — a 12-week program in Riyadh, designed for pre-Series A startups looking to grow, fundraise, and build deep Saudi roots. With over 98 alumni and a 63% local presence rate, it’s one of the Kingdom’s highest-signal accelerators.
Startup Unlocked Bootcamp — a 5-day tactical sprint for MVP-stage or first-time founders. If you’re not yet ready for a full program but want early traction and sharp mentorship, this is a great entry point.
They also support founder education through Venture Education, helping angel investors and aspiring fund managers understand how capital really flows.
Orbit Startups, part of the same Sanabil portfolio, focuses more on scale — especially for growth-stage startups looking to regionalize and plug into international networks.
Together, these initiatives show Sanabil’s vision: Saudi as a regional epicenter for venture-backed innovation.
📘 Flat6Labs, Misk, STC & Beyond
Saudi’s ecosystem also includes a rich set of local players who open doors for founders of all stages.
Flat6Labs Riyadh Seed Program has quickly built a reputation for supporting startups in their earliest phases. With funding, mentorship, and strong follow-up, it’s a great choice for founders who want structured support without giving up control too early. Their next deadline is August 16.
MISK Accelerator and MISK Launchpad have empowered thousands of local and global founders to take their first steps. Whether you’re still refining your idea or looking for your first investor deck, MISK programs help bring clarity and structure.
STC Inspire U connects you with one of the Kingdom’s most powerful telecom and digital platforms. If your product touches mobile, infrastructure, or cloud, it’s worth paying attention to this program’s evolution.
Each of these organizations is different in format and focus, but they all offer value — from mentorship to market access — especially when combined with the right vision and timing from your side.
📅 Deadlines You Can’t Miss
Here are just a few you’ll want to track:
Flat6Labs Riyadh Seed → August 16
500 Global Sanabil Accelerator → August 10
Sanabil Unlocked Bootcamp → August 31
(There are more, tracked in my master table — including links and decision status.)
🔐 Want the Master Table?
I’ve built a private Notion table that includes:
All deadlines, descriptions, and direct URLs
What to expect inside each program
Notes from previous founder cohorts
My personal insights on timing, outcomes, and strategy
👉 DM me or reply to this post — I’ll send you the full table with screenshots and application tips. It’ll save you hours of scouting and give you a real edge before applying.