Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
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.
- $100K
- Funding
- Not published
- Equity
- About 10 to 12 weeks
- Program length
- Dates TBA
- Applications
About Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global
The Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global is a seed program for tech startups across the Middle East and North Africa. It is run by 500 Global, the Silicon Valley venture firm formerly known as 500 Startups, together with Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. It launched in February 2021 as the Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator.
At launch, each startup received $100,000 for 10% equity. Current program listings describe an equity investment of $100,000 or more, but the current equity percentage is not published. The program is based in Riyadh, with Demo Day held at Sanabil Hub, though recent batches have been hybrid.
Batch 11 ran from April 5 to July 1, 2026. It picked eight startups from more than 690 applications, and its first two phases were fully remote because of regional uncertainty. Batch 10, announced in December 2025, chose nine startups from more than 735 applications.
Batch 12 runs from September 27 to December 9, 2026. Its applications closed in August 2026. Recent batches lean toward AI and infrastructure, with companies in fintech, payments, health diagnostics, fraud detection, insurance and compliance.
Selection focuses on operating discipline, clear business basics and execution, according to 500 Global MENA managing partner Amal Dokhan.
What Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global looks for
The program targets early-stage tech startups operating in MENA that already have early traction. The official page describes talented founders building tech companies in the region. 500 Global MENA has said recent batches were chosen for operating discipline, clear business fundamentals and a sharp focus on execution. Recent cohorts tilt toward AI-enabled and infrastructure companies, including fintech, payments, health diagnostics, fraud detection, insurance distribution and compliance.
How the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global program works
Each batch runs about 10 to 12 weeks. Batch 12 is scheduled from September 27 to December 9, 2026. Startups receive the investment from 500 Global and then go through mentorship, workshops led by operators, and sessions on growth, fundraising and company building.
The program uses 500 Global's network of mentors and investors, along with Sanabil's ties to the Saudi ecosystem. Recent batches are hybrid. In Batch 11, phases one and two were fully remote, with later parts in person.
Each batch ends with a Demo Day where founders pitch to regional and global investors. Batch 11's Demo Day was on July 1, 2026. There are usually two batches a year, with applications opening a few months before each start date.
How to apply to Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global
- 1Watch the 500 Global MENA application portal for the next batch announcement.
- 2Create an account on mena.aplica.500.co and submit the online application before the published deadline.
- 3Include clear traction data, since the program targets tech startups with early traction.
- 4If shortlisted, take part in interviews with the 500 Global MENA team.
- 5Selected startups agree investment terms and join the batch on its start date.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global | $100K | Not published | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Antler MENAP | Up to $180K | 11% | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Rolling admissions |
| Misk Accelerator | No cash investment | No equity | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | ~7% | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global FAQ
When is the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global application deadline?+
Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global has not announced its next deadline yet (Batch 12 runs September 27 to December 9, 2026; next intake not yet announced). We check the official site every month and update this page when dates are published.
How much does the Sanabil Accelerator invest?+
Program listings describe an equity investment of $100,000 or more from 500 Global per startup. When the program launched in 2021, terms were reported as $100,000 for 10% equity. 500 Global has not published the current equity percentage, so confirm the exact terms with the team before accepting an offer.
How competitive is it?+
Very. Batch 11 picked eight startups from more than 690 applications, and Batch 10 picked nine from more than 735. That is roughly 1% of applicants, based on those reported numbers. Earlier batches reported more than 100 startups accelerated in total.
Do I have to be based in Saudi Arabia?+
No. The program is open to tech startups across the MENA region. It is managed from Riyadh, and Demo Days have been held at Sanabil Hub. Recent batches have been hybrid, and Batch 11 ran its first two phases fully remote.
Sources: mena.aplica.500.co, wamda.com, secure.businesswire.com, en.sharikatmubasher.com, wamda.com, gulfnews.com