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 MENA’s most remarkable founders who are creating the next generation of startups.
TAQADAM is a startup accelerator powered by KAUST and SABB. Since 2016, we’ve helped innovators push the boundaries of what’s possible, giving them the funds, tools, and hands-on resources to define and refine their big ideas — and bring their game-changing businesses to market.
Over six months, we guide and develop entrepreneurs through mentorship, zero-equity funding and training. Startups receive 150,000 SAR in grant-funding and gain access to co-working spaces across MENA. 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 300 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 11,000 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 startup accelerator program. We receive hundreds of applications, from which just over 150 teams are selected to advance to interviews. From these, startups are evaluated and we select up to 60 startup teams to complete a pre-accelerator bootcamp. At the end of the bootcamp, the teams are further refined, with the strongest teams chosen to continue in the program and receive 150,000 SAR funding.
The teams then spend the next several months participating in an intensive startup accelerator environment. The mentor-led program encompasses training to help launch and scale their new ventures and bootcamps. The most promising of these startups are eligible for additional 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.
Applications are now open, click here to apply.
March 10, 2021 - TAQADAM Cohort 2021 applications open
April 18, 2021 - TAQADAM Cohort 2021 applications close
June 30, 2021 - TAQADAM Cohort 2021 results announced
August 2, 2021 - TAQADAM Cohort 2021 Bootcamp
Q1 of 2022 - TAQADAM Cohort 2021 Showcase
Q1 of 2022 - TAQADAM Cohort 2022 applications open
Yes, we welcome all applicants that can commit to the program and attend all training and events.
Yes, however, we prioritize startups with plans to expand in Saudi Arabia.
We are open to people of all nationalities applying to TAQADAM.
Yes! We accept both early and late-stage startups.
The program operates on a hybrid model: most of the training and functions are virtual, but we also host many in-person activities. Applicants from out of Saudi will receive support with visas and flights for the program functions that require attendance in person.
TAQADAM kicks off with a two-week bootcamp, running for 4 – 5 hours each day. After that, there are monthly sessions, averaging nine hours per month. We will share the details of these sessions after the program commences. Attendance is mandatory for all teams.
Additional mentorship with the experts and consultants is held for 30 minutes once a week. Scheduling these sessions are flexible and depend on the mentor and entrepreneur’s availability.
There are no age limits! As long as it’s legal for you to do business, we welcome you to apply.
● We look for strong teams that have a complete profile of skills and expertise with the potential to take their startup forward.
● We favor novel ideas and business models that have the potential to scale.
● TAQADAM supports both Saudi and international startups with plans to expand to Saudi Arabia.
● There must be at least two founders for each startup team.
● Applicants must not be enrolled in any other accelerator when the bootcamp commences or at any other stage during the program. There may be some exceptions to this; however, teams must obtain approval by the TAQADAM staff, which is decided on a case-by-case basis.
● There must be evidence of startup progress. This can include customer interviews, signed interest of potential clients, or anything that demonstrates that the startup is established.
● Teams must commit to the program in full, which runs from August 2021 to March 2022. At least one team member must attend all required accelerator activities, which may include daytime, evening, and weekend events and bootcamps. Founders will also be required to travel to KAUST for in-person events.
● All applicants utilizing intellectual property must have written permission to commercialize the technologies in their startup idea from their university and/or company’s technology transfer office.
Throughout the accelerator program, accepted teams receive the following:
● 150,000 SAR
● Training, pitch practice, and specialized services
● Mentorship from industry leaders
● Access to Saudi Arabia’s leading startup community
● Access to a co-working space
● Services subsidies for design, finance, legal, and more
● Saudi Arabian incorporation support for international startups