KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) with Saudi Awwal Bank · University deep-tech accelerator
$140K$40,000 at start; up to $140,000 total including $100,000 follow-on for 10 startups at the annual showcase
Six-month hybrid accelerator with non-dilutive grant funding for science and tech startups, open to all nationalities with a Saudi expansion plan.
Key terms
- Historically zero-equity grant funding (official page does not restate equity terms)
- At least two founders; non-Saudi founders need no Saudi partner
- International startups must plan to expand to Saudi Arabia within a year of programme start
- IP from a university/company needs written commercialisation permission from its TTO
- Cannot be in another accelerator concurrently (exceptions case-by-case)
Eligibility
- Where
- Worldwide
- Stages
- pre-seed, seed
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- No
- Needs partner referral code
- No
- Must be incorporated
- No
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Not eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
Also required
- Minimum two founders
- Evidence of progress such as customer interviews or letters of interest
- Saudi expansion plan for non-Saudi startups
How to apply
Register interest via the HubSpot form or email [email protected]; show customer validation (interviews, LOIs).
- Benefit
- cash
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- Annual cohort
- Status
- Paused — next round TBA
Verified 2026-10-23 · source