About TAQADAM
WELCOME
Our Mission
Backing founders to create startups that matter
TAQADAM Startup Accelerator
At TAQADAM, we believe in the power of people with big ideas, bold thinking and creativity to change the world. We back Saudi Arabia’s most remarkable founders who are creating the next generation of startups.
TAQADAM is a startup accelerator powered by the extraordinary networks of KAUST and SABB. Since 2016, we’ve been helping innovators push the boundaries of what’s possible and transform their dreams into a reality. We work with startups at all stages of growth and from any industry.
Over 6-months, we guide entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to market through mentorship, zero-equity funding and training. Teams receive 150,000 SR in grant-funding and access to co-working spaces across Saudi Arabia. Our method focuses on product design, market fit, business model planning, team development and fundraising. Startups graduate with a toolkit to accelerate their business, gain access to potential customers and develop an exceptional network of mentors and investors.
Our Partners
Founding Partners
KAUST is a leading Saudi Arabian university with a commitment to fostering and growing an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Kingdom and the Middle East. KAUST is a hub of innovation for local and international startups.
- KAUST has graduated more than 200 startups who have raised over $60M of investment funding.
- KAUST has significant expertise in designing and implementing startup accelerator programs, and entrepreneurship training programs in Saudi Arabia with over 8,000 innovators graduated.
- KAUST’s successful startup accelerator track record includes Hikma, VentureLab, 9/10ths Accelerator and TAQADAM. Success stories of startups that graduated from KAUST accelerators and have secured funding: Sadeem, UnitX, Faheem, Dhad, Saee, & Ajeer.
Saudi British Bank (SABB) is a Saudi Joint Stock Company with a strong track record and a heritage that stretches back more than 40 years. The partnership between SABB and KAUST aims to fund projects and support innovative ideas in Saudi Arabia. The TAQADAM program supports initiatives in various fields such as financial technology, digital solutions, industrial solutions and food, water sustainability and many more. The program is one of SABB’s key social initiatives as part of its responsibility toward the community, and to complement its pioneering role in supporting young people’s aspirations and contributing to developing a generation capable of leading the country in the fields of trade, industry, knowledge and technology.
The Team
Meet the team behind the Taqadam initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
TAQADAM is a Saudi Arabian startup accelerator for entrepreneurs in all industries looking to rapidly grow their business. Over the course of 6-months, TAQADAM supports aspiring entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to market through mentorship and training in topics such as ideation, product design, marketing and fundraising. Accepted teams receive grant-funding and access to co-working space across the Kingdom. At the completion of the program, selected graduates are eligible for grant-based, follow-on funding.
The Accelerator was founded in 2016 by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in partnership with SABB.
TAQADAM is a highly competitive university accelerator program. On average, over 600 applications are received, from which just over 100 teams are selected to advance to interviews. From these, 60 startup teams are selected to complete a one-month pre-accelerator bootcamp. At the end of the bootcamp, the teams are further refined, with 45 teams selected to participate in the program and receive 150,000 SR funding.
The teams then spend the next five months participating in an intensive startup accelerator environment. The mentor-led program encompasses training to help launch and scale their new ventures, bootcamps and access to office and lab space at the KAUST Entrepreneurship Center. Teams also receive one-on-one sessions with mentors in their field. The most promising of these startups are eligible for additional zero-equity pre-seed funding from SABB and KAUST.
To be eligible to join TAQADAM, at least one team member must be able to attend all required accelerator activities. The accelerator requires a six months’ time commitment, which could involve startup team members to engage in the day, evening and weekend events and bootcamps. Founders may be required to travel to KAUST to participate in these events regularly. All applicants that are utilizing intellectual property need to have the correct written permission to commercialize the technologies in their startup idea from their university and/or company technology transfer office.
TAQADAM accelerator is open to all entrepreneurs and startups from different industries. Our previous cohorts graduated startups from the following industries: Energy, Food, Water, Fintech, Retail, Digital, Cybersecurity, Tourism, Logistics, Mobility, Health, Gaming, Agriculture – and more.
If applications are open, click here to apply.
If applications are closed, click here to register your interest for the next cohort.
March 14th, 2020 – Applications close
June 28th, 2020 – TAQADAM Bootcamp
TBC – TAQADAM Showcase
TBC – TAQADAM Cohort 5 applications open