Saudi Arabia has become one of the fastest growing startup markets in the Middle East, with government funds, university programs and global accelerators all running cohorts in Riyadh.
Many Saudi programs come with company setup support and access to large local customers, and some require a Saudi entity or a plan to open one. Check those conditions before you apply.
| Program | Funding | Equity | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antler MENAP | $180,000 for 11% (SAFE), up to $320,000 follow-on | 11% | Rolling admissions |
| Flat6Labs | $65,000 to $120,000 (varies by country program) | Minority stake, set per program | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global | $100,000+ | Not published for current batches (10% in the 2021 launch terms) | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Newlab | None for membership; Founder Fellowship up to $75,000 | None published for membership | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Misk Accelerator | No cash grant; optional equity investment from a venture partner | 0% for the program | Next deadline not announced yet |
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Antler's 10-week MENAP residency, in Dubai each spring and Riyadh each fall. Invests $180,000 for 11% via SAFE, with up to $320,000 follow-on.
Alumni include TruBuild, Gainz, Ruya AI, Pemo.
Antler MENAP: terms, deadline and how to apply
Cairo, Egypt
Seed-stage accelerator founded in Cairo in 2011. Invests $65,000 to $120,000 for minority equity, depending on the country program, across MENA and Africa.
Alumni include Instabug, MoneyFellows, Elmenus.
Flat6Labs: terms, deadline and how to apply
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh-based accelerator run by 500 Global and Sanabil Investments (PIF) since 2021. Invests $100,000 or more in early MENA tech startups. Batch 12 runs Sep to Dec 2026.
New York (Brooklyn)
Brooklyn Navy Yard hub for critical-technology startups with labs, shops and pilot projects. A paid membership community, not an accelerator. Also runs hubs in Detroit and Riyadh.
Alumni include Amogy, Launcher, 10XBeta.
Newlab: terms, deadline and how to apply
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Zero-equity 12-week hybrid accelerator in Riyadh run by Misk Foundation for post-MVP tech startups building in Saudi Arabia, 20 to 22 startups per cohort.
Get your pitch deck scored with our free AI Pitch Review, and track every deadline in one place from your SaaSOffers dashboard. Once you are accepted, claim the free startup credits most programs qualify you for.
The programs founders apply to most in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia are Antler MENAP, Flat6Labs, Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global, Newlab, Misk Accelerator. Each one differs in funding, equity and format, so compare them in the table above before applying.
Misk Accelerator takes no equity, based on each program's published terms.
None of these programs has an open fixed deadline right now. Several accept applications on a rolling basis, and the others usually announce their next dates a few months before each cohort.
Antler MENAP offers the largest investment on this list: $180,000 for 11% (SAFE), up to $320,000 follow-on, for 11%.