How to fund your startup in Saudi Arabia
The right funding depends on two things: your stage, and whether you'd give up equity or take on debt. A practical guide with the names and terms.
The right funding for a startup in Saudi Arabia depends on two things: your stage, and whether you'd give up equity or take on debt. At the idea stage, start with your own money and programs. After a prototype, apply to accelerators and angel investors. Once growth is clear, go to venture capital funds.
Which funding fits your stage?
| Stage | What you have | Best sources |
|---|---|---|
| Idea | A clear problem and no product | Your own money, and idea-stage programs like Misk Launchpad |
| Pre-seed | A prototype and first users | Accelerators, incubators and angel investors |
| Seed | A product that sells and paying customers | Angel networks and early-stage funds |
| Series A and beyond | Clear growth and recurring numbers | Venture capital funds and corporate venture arms |
1. Customers and your own money
The cheapest funding is the first riyal a customer pays. You give up no equity, owe no debt, and prove the problem is real. Every riyal from a customer also strengthens your position with investors.
2. Accelerators and incubators
An incubator supports you for longer, usually early on. An accelerator is a short cohort program meant to speed up growth and prepare you for investment. Not all of them give money, and some provide services instead of cash.
| Program | What it offers | For equity? |
|---|---|---|
| TAQADAM Startup Accelerator | Funding of up to $140,000 | No, non-dilutive funding |
| Deep-Tech Ventures Program | Support of up to SAR 200,000, delivered as services | Yes, 5% at most |
| Wadi Jeddah Incubator | SAR 100,000 and six months of incubation | Equity terms undisclosed |
| Misk Accelerator | A 12-week program with no fees | No |
| Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global | At its 2021 launch: $100,000 | Yes, 10% at launch |
Cohorts open and close, and terms change. Check the program's site before building your plan around it, and see the rest in the incubators and accelerators directory.
3. Angel investors
Individuals who invest their own money at early stages in exchange for equity. In Saudi Arabia, the easiest route to them is through networks:
- Oqal: the first angel network in Saudi Arabia. It runs a co-investment program with the Saudi Venture Capital Company for Saudi-based companies, for rounds of SAR 100,000 to SAR 7.5 million.
- Riyadh Angel Investors: invests at seed stage, after a prototype is built.
- Numu: an angel investing community in Riyadh offering screening and co-investment.
- Al Madinah Angels: a network launched in Madinah in 2025 for early stages.
Find the rest in the investor directory.
4. Venture capital funds
A fund invests larger amounts for equity and looks for a company that can grow fast. Choose a fund that invests in your stage and sector, or you'll waste your time.
- Raed Ventures: pre-seed to Series A.
- STV: seed to growth stages.
- Wa'ed Ventures: seed to Series C.
The Saudi Venture Capital Company is mainly a fund of funds, so its money usually reaches you through the funds it backs.
5. Government funding and loans
A loan doesn't take equity, but it must be repaid even if the company fails.
- Social Development Bank: provides direct financing to entrepreneurs and small and startup businesses, and announced funding about 8,000 businesses with SAR 3.1 billion in 2025.
- Kafalah program: guarantees part of your financing with a bank or finance company if you lack enough collateral. Check the percentage and terms with the lender.
6. Crowdfunding
You raise money from many investors through a platform. Before you start, make sure the platform is licensed by the Capital Market Authority if the funding is for equity.
Before you apply anywhere
- Decide how much you need and where it will go over the next 12 to 18 months
- Prepare a short deck: problem, solution, market, team and numbers
- Sort out your commercial registration and partner shares early
- Know your real numbers: revenue, growth and customer acquisition cost
- Review the contract with a legal adviser before you sign
Questions founders ask
Do I need a registered company before raising money?
It varies. Idea-stage programs often don't require one, but investors and lenders need a legal entity before closing.
How much equity should I give up?
There is no fixed number. In the programs listed here, it starts at zero and reached 10% at the Sanabil accelerator's launch. Investor rounds are set by negotiation and valuation.
Where can I find the full list?
In the investor directory and the incubators and accelerators directory. Each profile lists its sources and last verified date.
Numbers here come from directory profiles at publication, and terms change. Confirm with the organization before you apply.
