What Taqadam does

Taqadam is a Saudi Arabia-based startup accelerator founded in 2016 as a joint initiative between King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB). It operates a six-month, hybrid-delivery program (virtual plus in-person weeks at the KAUST campus in Thuwal) that selects up to 60 startups per cohort from more than 800 annual applications, funneling them through a one-month pre-accelerator bootcamp before admitting the strongest teams into the main program. Accepted startups receive $40,000 in entry funding plus potential follow-on funding of up to $100,000 at an annual showcase, taking total per-startup capital to as much as $140,000, alongside mentorship, workshops on product, pitching, and marketing, co-working access across Saudi Arabia, and introductions to the KAUST and SAB networks. International founders are eligible provided they commit to expanding into Saudi Arabia within one year.

The accelerator is sector-agnostic, with prior cohorts spanning Energy, Food, Water, Fintech, Retail, Digital, Cybersecurity, Tourism, Logistics, Mobility, Health, Gaming, and Agriculture, and it explicitly welcomes university-affiliated founders with technology transfer office permission, opening a deep-tech commercialization channel. Since 2016, Taqadam reports supporting 290+ startups (179 currently active) that have collectively raised $459 million in external funding and created more than 4,600 jobs. Taqadam is governed and funded institutionally by KAUST and SAB rather than via traditional equity-backed fund structures; it does not charge startups, and its own revenue, headcount beyond 1-10 employees, and operational financials are not publicly disclosed. Leadership is anchored by CEO Abdulrahman Jahhaf.

Name

Taqadam

Legal name

TAQADAM

Website

https://taqadam.kaust.edu.sa/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Taqadam is a Saudi Arabian startup accelerator founded in 2016 by KAUST and Saudi Awwal Bank, running a six-month hybrid program that funds and mentors up to 60 selected startups twice a year with up to $140,000 per team.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator program
• Venture capital funding
• Entrepreneurship mentorship
• Pre-seed investment program
• Startup incubation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Thuwal

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Accelerator Program Services: Taqadam operates as a non-profit accelerator providing funding and support to early-stage startups. The program is funded by KAUST and Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB). Revenue is not generated from startups; rather, the accelerator invests in startups and aims to generate returns through portfolio company success, follow-on funding opportunities, and ecosystem development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Taqadam operates a six-month global startup accelerator program that selects up to 60 high-potential startups annually from over 800 applications via a one-month pre-accelerator bootcamp. Accepted startups receive $40,000 in initial funding plus mentorship, workshops, community access, co-working spaces, and services subsidies, with up to 10 startups eligible for an additional $100,000 in follow-on funding at the annual showcase. The program is delivered under a hybrid model combining virtual workshops and in-person events at KAUST in Saudi Arabia, targeting both Saudi and international founders planning expansion to Saudi Arabia.

Product overview

TAQADAM is a unified startup accelerator platform offering a structured six-month program that combines mentorship, workshops, and funding. The core product is the TAQADAM Accelerator Program, which is preceded by a Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp. Accepted startups receive $40,000 initial funding with potential for up to $140,000 total, along with access to co-working spaces, expert mentors, and investor networks. Since 2016, the program has supported over 290 startups that collectively raised $459 million in investments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TAQADAM Accelerator Program A six-month global startup accelerator program providing entrepreneurs with mentorship, workshops, funding up to $140,000 per startup, co-working access, services subsidies, and access to a network of investors and industry experts. Accepts up to 60 high-potential startups annually from a competitive pool of over 800 applications. Open to both Saudi and international startups, with international founders required to have an expansion plan to Saudi Arabia within one year.
• Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp A one-month intensive bootcamp that serves as the initial phase of the TAQADAM program, involving 1-2 hours of daily sessions plus an in-person week at KAUST. Up to 60 startups selected from 800+ annual applications participate; at the close of the bootcamp the strongest teams are chosen to continue into the six-month accelerator and receive $40,000 in initial funding.

Quantifiable outcome

• $459 million in collective investments raised by TAQADAM startups
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAUST is the founding parent institution of TAQADAM, established in 2016. As Saudi Arabia's leading science and technology research university, KAUST provides the accelerator with research talent, innovation ecosystem, and connections to the broader RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) ecosystem. The partnership leverages KAUST's global networks and reputation to attract high-quality startup applicants and provide world-class mentorship.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• MiSK Foundation: Saudi non-profit foundation established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that runs entrepreneurship and skills programs for Saudi youth; overlaps with Taqadam's mission of building Saudi founder capacity but targets younger demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Vision Ventures: Saudi-focused early-stage and growth VC fund that invests across sectors; broader investment mandate than an accelerator but competes for the same Saudi founder pipeline and provides similar funding amounts at seed stage.
• SABIC Ventures: Corporate venture arm of SABIC, Saudi Arabia's petrochemicals major; invests in and partners with startups in materials, energy, and industrial tech - adjacent to Taqadam's energy and industrial sectors but operates as a corporate CVC.

Direct peers

• Sanabil Investments: Saudi sovereign-backed investment vehicle that deploys capital into Saudi and global VC funds and direct startup investments; directly competes for Saudi founder mindshare and is the most capital-rich peer in the ecosystem.
• Flat6Labs: Leading MENA seed investor and early-stage accelerator with offices across the region; provides seed funding, mentorship, and follow-on support to early-stage startups - directly comparable offering to Taqadam's model but with broader geographic footprint.
• Wa'ed Ventures: Saudi Telecom Company (STC) backed venture fund and accelerator based in Saudi Arabia; invests in and supports early-stage tech startups - directly competes with Taqadam for Saudi tech founders and corporate pilot opportunities.
• Falak Startups: MENA-focused accelerator connecting startups with investors and corporate partners; operates a similar model of cohort-based acceleration, mentorship, and demo-day funding events targeting early-stage founders in the region.
• 500 Global (MENA operations): Global accelerator and early-stage investor with active MENA programs; provides seed investment, mentorship, and access to a global network of founders and investors - comparable program structure targeting similar founder demographics.
• KAUST Innovation & Entrepreneurship: KAUST's broader innovation arm sits within the same parent institution as Taqadam, offering complementary startup support programs, technology transfer, and university spin-off support for the same Saudi deep-tech founder pool.

Others

• ArabNet: MENA-focused digital media and events platform that runs startup competitions, conferences, and intelligence reports across the region; provides ecosystem-level visibility and connections that complement accelerator programs like Taqadam.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KAUSTinnovation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments151 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Taqadam