KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Non-dilutive accelerator by KAUST and SAB: $40,000 to selected teams, up to $140,000 total, six-month hybrid program open to all nationalities with a Saudi plan.
- Up to $140K
- Funding
- No equity
- Equity
- 1-month virtual bootcamp plus 6-month hybrid program
- Program length
- Dates TBA
- Applications
About KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator
TAQADAM is the startup accelerator of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), run in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB, formerly SABB) since 2016. It began as a university accelerator for Saudi campuses and is now open to startups of any nationality and sector. Its main difference from most accelerators in the region is the money: all funding is non-dilutive.
Teams selected after the bootcamp receive $40,000, and startups can reach up to $140,000 in total through follow-on awards. At the cohort 9 showcase in April 2026, ten startups shared $1 million in follow-on funding, $100,000 each. KAUST says it receives more than 800 applications a year and takes up to 60 startups into the pre-accelerator bootcamp.
The program reports 290 startups supported, 179 still active, more than 4,600 jobs created and $459 million raised by its community. Applications open once a year. The cohort 10 call was extended to July 5, 2026, so the next window is expected around April 2027.
International startups are welcome, but they need a realistic plan to enter Saudi Arabia within one year of the program start. TAQADAM fits technical founders who want grant-style capital, access to KAUST labs and faculty, and a bank partner in SAB without giving up shares.
What KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator looks for
TAQADAM wants startups from pre-seed to Series A with a completed MVP and validated technology. Teams need at least two founders aged 18 or over, and at least two members able to attend all required sessions. Applicants must show traction, such as customer interviews or signed interest from clients. They cannot be in another accelerator during the program without approval. International teams must show a realistic plan to enter the Saudi market within a year.
How the KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator program works
TAQADAM starts with a one-month virtual bootcamp of one to two hours a day for up to 60 startups. Teams selected after the bootcamp receive $40,000 in non-dilutive funding and enter a six-month hybrid program. It includes one in-person week at the KAUST campus in Thuwal, monthly sessions averaging eight hours, and optional 30-minute mentorship meetings scheduled flexibly.
Startups work with KAUST faculty, mentors and SAB on customer discovery, product and fundraising. The cohort ends at the annual Investor Showcase, where the strongest teams compete for follow-on non-dilutive awards, recently $100,000 each for ten startups. Some startups may also receive additional pre-seed funding from TAQADAM.
How to apply to KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator
- 1Register interest on taqadam.kaust.edu.sa to be notified when the yearly call opens, usually in April.
- 2Form a team of at least two founders, with one full-time co-founder at program start.
- 3Submit the online application with evidence of progress such as customer interviews or letters of intent.
- 4If you use university or company IP, attach written permission to commercialize it.
- 5International teams: include a plan to expand to Saudi Arabia within one year.
- 6Complete the one-month virtual bootcamp; the funded cohort is selected at its end.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator | Up to $140K | No equity | Thuwal, Saudi Arabia | Next deadline not announced yet |
| AWS Generative AI Accelerator | Up to $1M | No equity | Seattle, WA | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Conception X | Up to $390K | No equity | London | December 6, 2026 (40 days left) |
| WILCO | Up to $173K | No equity | Paris | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Microsoft for Startups (formerly Founders Hub) | Up to $150K | No equity | Online | Rolling admissions |
| Start-Up Chile | Up to $80K | No equity | Santiago, Chile | Next deadline not announced yet |
KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator FAQ
When is the KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator application deadline?+
KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator has not announced its next deadline yet (Applications open once a year, typically April to June; cohort 10 closed July 5, 2026). We check the official site every month and update this page when dates are published.
Does TAQADAM take equity?+
No. KAUST describes all TAQADAM funding as non-dilutive. Teams selected after the bootcamp receive $40,000, and the best performers can win follow-on awards at the annual Investor Showcase. KAUST says startups can receive up to $140,000 in total. In April 2026, ten startups each received $100,000 in follow-on funding.
Can startups outside Saudi Arabia apply to TAQADAM?+
Yes. The program is open to all nationalities and industries. International startups must show a realistic plan to expand into Saudi Arabia within one year of the program start. Two team members must be able to attend all required activities, including one in-person week at KAUST in Thuwal, near Jeddah.
How competitive is TAQADAM?+
KAUST reports more than 800 applications a year. Up to 60 startups enter the pre-accelerator bootcamp, and a smaller group is selected for funding at the end of it. KAUST has not published a formal acceptance rate. Strong applications show a working MVP, validated technology and real customer evidence.
Sources: taqadam.kaust.edu.sa, hubspot.kaust.edu.sa, thelens.kaust.edu.sa, thelens.kaust.edu.sa, taqadam.pory.app