parachute16 | برشوت16

What parachute16 | برشوت16 does

Parachute16 (برشوت16) is a MENA-focused startup ecosystem builder that designs and delivers accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and coworking infrastructure for early-stage founders. The firm operates across 16 MENA markets with owned offices in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, and runs programs for governments, foundations, and corporates. Its core products include bespoke accelerator programs (e.g., SDAIA's AI tracks, Monshaat and MISK programs), the Ghiras environmental accelerator in partnership with King Khalid Foundation, a PropTech accelerator designed with AJi, and the P16 Hub subscription coworking space in Riyadh. The underlying platform combines a curated mentor network of 150+ mentors and 200+ partners with a regional founder funnel that is reused across cohorts, allowing parachute16 to redeploy curriculum and networks when bidding on new institutional programs.

Name

parachute16 | برشوت16

Legal name

parachute16

Website

https://parachute16.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Parachute16 is a MENA startup ecosystem builder that designs and delivers accelerator programs, coworking space (P16 Hub), and corporate innovation services across 16 countries for governments, foundations, and corporates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMAHAC

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYEDAMAHAA

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYEDAMAHAB

Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYEDAMALAL

Entrepreneurship, Business & Innovation Camps

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

SECONDARYFSANALAD

Accelerator / Incubator-Backed ETA Programs

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Search Funds / Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator programs
• Ecosystem development services
• Corporate innovation consulting
• Entrepreneurship mentorship services
• Coworking workspace services

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Accelerator as a Service: Parachute16 designs and delivers intensive entrepreneurial training and technical mentorship through acceleration programs, boot camps, hackathons, and capacity-building programs. Revenue appears to come from program fees charged to partners (governments, corporations, foundations) who want to run startup acceleration initiatives.
2. Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development: Forging strategic partnerships with organizations seeking to create vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems. Services include leveraging networks of founders, entrepreneurs, experts, investors, and VCs to support ecosystem growth.
3. Corporate Innovation as a Service: Supporting established entities in unlocking innovation potential through intrapreneurship programs, strategic guidance on leadership and innovation, new product development, and innovative technology adoption.
4. Coworking Space (P16 Hub): The P16 Hub in Riyadh provides workspace services including strategy and team workspace, private meeting rooms, community lounge areas, and outdoor terrace/event space for startups, enablers, and accelerators.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Parachute16 designs, implements, and manages startup accelerator programs, entrepreneurship ecosystem development initiatives, and corporate innovation services across the MENA region. It runs intensive boot camps, hackathons, and capacity-building programs through partnerships with governments, NGOs, and corporations, and supplements these with a Riyadh coworking space (P16 Hub), a podcast (P16 Podcast/Startups Unpacked), a curated startup toolkit, and an ecosystem membership network.

Product overview

Parachute16 operates as a MENA startup ecosystem builder offering a portfolio of interconnected programs, services, and platforms. The core offering consists of three main service lines: Accelerator As A Service (intensive training and mentorship programs), Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (strategic partnerships and network building), and Corporate Innovation As A Service (intrapreneurship and innovation support). Supporting offerings include P16 Hub (a physical coworking space in Riyadh), P16 Podcast/Startups Unpacked (media platform with 35-country reach), P16 Startup Toolkit (curated resource library), and P16 Ecosystem (network platform). The Ghiras Accelerator represents their flagship environmental innovation program in partnership with King Khalid Foundation. The company employs a founder-to-founder accelerator model focused on product-led growth and sustainable social entrepreneurship, having accelerated 350+ startups across 16 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ghiras Accelerator: A 12-week environmental innovation accelerator program launched in partnership with King Khalid Foundation, supporting startups in environmental innovation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
• P16 Hub
• P16 Podcast
• P16 Startup Toolkit
• Youth Impact Studio

Products and services

• Accelerator As A Service Program Intensive entrepreneurial training and technical mentorship delivered through acceleration programs, boot camps, hackathons, and capacity-building programs. Designed for partner organizations (governments, NGOs, corporations) and the startups they target.
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Strategic partnership formation and ecosystem activation leveraging Parachute16's network of founders, entrepreneurs, experts, investors, and VCs to create interconnected entrepreneurial ecosystems across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.
• Corporate Innovation As A Service Advisory and program delivery for established corporations covering intrapreneurship programs, strategic and executive guidance on leadership and innovation, new product development, and innovative technology adoption.
• P16 Hub Physical coworking and event space located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, designed for builders, founders, innovators, and ecosystem leaders. Offers strategy and team workspace, private meeting rooms, community lounge areas, and outdoor terrace/event space.
• P16 Podcast (Startups Unpacked) Podcast media platform showcasing inspiring stories from MENA's entrepreneurs, featuring leading experts and entrepreneurs sharing lessons and life journeys across 30+ sectors, distributed via YouTube and audio streaming platforms.
• P16 Startup Toolkit Curated online resource library for startups covering planning, organizing, task management, idea generation, research, creativity, design, brand assets, communication, collaboration, survey/feedback, and marketing/sales/growth.
• Ghiras Accelerator 12-week environmental innovation accelerator program co-developed with King Khalid Foundation, providing funding, investment advisory, mentorship, workshops, and connections to investors and partners for startups in environmental innovation in Saudi Arabia.
• P16 Ecosystem Membership network providing access to innovation networks, a supportive founder community, and knowledge/resource sharing for startups, SMEs, investors, VCs, corporate entities, academics, and non-profits across the MENA region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ startups and scale-ups accelerated
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• King Khalid Foundation (KKF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development of Ghiras Accelerator - a 12-week program for startups in environmental innovation. The partnership provides funding, investment advisory, mentorship, and workshops while connecting founders with investors and partners, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 for green economic growth.
• AJicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic MoU to build Saudi Arabia's first private-sector-led PropTech Innovation Accelerator. Aims to accelerate innovation in the real estate technology sector.
• BpifrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border strategic collaboration to support founders and startups in accessing opportunities between MENA and French markets.
• Misk InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnership programs including Misk Initiative Incubator (14-week program for youth-focused non-profits), Misk NPOs Accelerator, and The Garage Plus Global Accelerator Program led by SDAIA.
• MonshaatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Publishing Houses Incubator and Accelerator program empowering 30 startups in the digital publishing industry.
• SDAIA (Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Garage Plus Global Accelerator Program - Innovation District supporting startups and SMEs globally, founded by Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with KACST.
• INJAZ Al-ArabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaharat Min Google partnership - impact and knowledge partner reaching 20,000 youth across 14 Arab countries with digital skills training.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple programs including Heart of Amman Accelerator (2020), Self-Reliance and Inclusion Program (2021), and Self-Reliance Accelerator for vulnerable Iraqi societies and host communities.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation partner and ecosystem builder from 2015-2020. Built innovation/entrepreneurship directory, trained facilitators, designed toolkits, conducted innovation workshops, and built ecosystem of mentors and experts.
• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped innovative learning framework for NRC staff to evaluate progress towards providing durable work solutions for refugees in Jordan.
• Danish Refugee Council (DRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created market-oriented curriculum under RYSE project enabling vulnerable Jordanian and Syrian refugees to carry out remote work opportunities. Engaged 100+ private sector companies, governmental entities, and I/NGOs.
• Ministry of Tourism (Saudi Arabia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism Incubator and Accelerator program collaboration for Saudi tourism sector growth.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Flat6Labs: Flat6Labs is the largest early-stage seed investor and accelerator across MENA and Africa, running multi-program cohorts with equity participation. It is directly comparable to parachute16 as a regional accelerator/incubator serving startups and partnering with governments and corporates.
• Falak Startups: Falak Startups (formerly Oasis500) is a Jordan-born MENA accelerator offering equity-backed cohorts and follow-on investment. It is comparable to parachute16 in its regional accelerator model, MENA coverage, and partnerships with ecosystem enablers and government entities.
• 500 Global (500 Startups): 500 Global operates global accelerator programs and invests in startups worldwide, with active MENA and Saudi engagement. It is comparable to parachute16 in its founder-focused accelerator model and corporate/government program partnerships, though at significantly larger scale.
• Brinc: Brinc is a global accelerator and venture firm running programs across MENA, Asia, and Europe with sector-focused cohorts (climate, health, Web3). It competes with parachute16 in accelerator-as-a-service delivery for corporate and government clients in the region.
• Endeavor: Endeavor is a global high-impact entrepreneurship support organization with deep MENA operations, selecting and mentoring high-growth founders. It is comparable to parachute16 in its founder-to-founder support model, mentorship networks, and institutional partnerships across MENA.
• Plug and Play: Plug and Play is a global innovation platform running corporate innovation and accelerator programs, with a presence in MENA including Saudi Arabia. It directly competes with parachute16 in the corporate innovation-as-a-service and accelerator-as-a-service segment.
• Techstars: Techstars runs accelerator programs worldwide, including partnerships in MENA. It is comparable to parachute16 as a founder-led accelerator with structured cohort programming, mentorship networks, and corporate partnerships.
• KAUST Innovation & Entrepreneurship: KAUST Innovation runs accelerator programs, venture support, and ecosystem development in Saudi Arabia. It is comparable to parachute16 in offering structured accelerator cohorts, founder mentorship, and ecosystem-building partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Sanabil Investments: Sanabil is a Saudi-based investment company that supports entrepreneurship and the venture ecosystem through fund-of-funds and direct ecosystem initiatives. It overlaps with parachute16 in Saudi ecosystem development and accelerator co-funding.
• Wamda Capital: Wamda Capital is a MENA venture capital firm that also operates ecosystem-building programs and content platforms for founders. It overlaps with parachute16 in MENA entrepreneurship support and ecosystem development, though at a larger capital scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@parachute16me/videos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parachute16
• TikToktiktok.com/@parachute16me

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about parachute16 | برشوت16