A deep tech projects program from Dhahran Techno Valley at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. It selects 10 projects a year and offers support of up to SAR 200,000 for a stake of no more than 5%.
About the program
An annual program that starts with a five-day in-person bootcamp, then a 12-week project development program in Dhahran, followed by six months of free incubation after a deal day. It targets technologies with initial proof (technology readiness level 3-4) in energy, water, sustainability, digitalization, semiconductors, advanced materials, mining and advanced manufacturing. The support is up to SAR 200,000 in the form of services paid directly, not cash, in return for a minority stake capped at 5%. The program is open to university members, Saudi innovators and international companies.
Equity capped at 5%; first cohort settled at about 1%. 2025 cohort (KFUPM news) described a four-month venture-building phase; Cohort 2 page (2026) says 12 weeks. Cohort 2 application deadline 31 Aug 2026, bootcamp Nov 2026. Alumni = top-10 ventures selected in the 2025 bootcamp (KFUPM news).
What it offers
- Stages
- Pre-seed
- Sectors
- Deep tech, Energy, Sustainability, Semiconductors, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Funding
- Up to SAR 200,000 (about $53,000) in support as services, for a minority stake of no more than 5% ($53K) Source
- Equity
- Takes equity
- Format
- Cohorts