April 5 – July 1, 2026
Fueling the next generation of talented entrepreneurs building across MENA, this 12-week program is designed for tech startups with early traction and ambitious founders that are ready for the heavy lifting to accelerate growth and expand within the region and beyond.
SCALE UP. STAND OUT.
Apply Today
Priority deadline: February 15, 2026
Applications received by the priority deadline will initiate an earlier start of the review process.
Application period closes on March 5, 2026.
Final Deadline: August 9, 2026
This program is for founders who are ready to think big, work hard, and set new benchmarks for success in MENA’s thriving tech ecosystem.
Over 12 weeks in Riyadh, ambitious teams embark on a personalized accelerator experience built around their company’s needs, challenges, and ambitions. Through tailored guidance and a community that understands what it takes to grow, founders can sharpen how they build, strengthen their approach, and take their companies further in the region and beyond.
Dates: November 3-6, 2024
We’re looking for startups that meet the following criteria:
As participants, startups can look forward to:
Apply Today
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The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
WEEKs 1-2
Begin the accelerator with an immersive, hands-on programming designed to establish the foundations for scalable growth. Founders work alongside experienced mentors while developing the core strategies, frameworks, and deliverables that guide execution throughout the program.
Throughout this phase, founders build capabilities across:
Goal: Establish a strong business foundation, validate key assumptions, and create a clear strategy for sustainable growth.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
WEEKs 3-9
Growth Weeks
Over the following weeks, founders focus on execution through continuous experimentation, mentor feedback, and structured iteration.
This phase is designed to help startups validate growth opportunities, strengthen company operations, and prepare for long-term scale.
Key areas of focus include:
Goal: Validate growth opportunities, improve execution, and build scalable systems that prepare the business for long-term success.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Weeks 10-12
Showcase Prep & Demo Day
The final phase prepares founders to confidently present their companies to VCs and the broader startup ecosystem. Through intensive presentation coaching, fundraising preparation, and networking opportunities, founders refine their narrative, strengthen their company's materials, and build meaningful connections ahead of Demo Day.
This phase focuses on:
Goal: Deliver a compelling VC-ready narrative, build valuable relationships, and position your startup for funding and future growth.
The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses. This fee covers the comprehensive support, mentorship, and resources provided throughout Phase 1.
By completing Phase 1, startups is expected to gain valuable insights, refine their strategies, and make informed decisions for successful market expansion.
Build alongside experienced 500 Global mentors through 12 weeks of structured, hands-on programming and personalized mentorship. Take part in workshops and expert-led sessions designed to challenge your thinking, strengthen your approach, and give you practical frameworks you can apply to your company for the long term.
For selected startups, the journey may also include an equity investment of USD $100,000+ from 500 Global, subject to applicable terms and conditions, and the opportunity to become part of the 500 Global portfolio.
Tap into 500 Global’s broader network of founders, mentors, partners, and ecosystem leaders around the world. Founders also become part of a regional network of 300+ startups backed by 500 Global, opening the door to relationships that can extend well beyond the program.
Community
Building a startup is challenging,
but you don't have to do it alone. Join a community of ambitious founders who are navigating similar challenges, sharing experiences, and supporting one another throughout the program and beyond. Many of our alumni say the founder community is one of the most valuable parts of the accelerator.
Gain access to exclusive FounderHub benefits designed to help you build and scale faster. From cloud credits and AI tools to developer platforms, productivity software, business services, and partner offers from leading technology companies, FounderHub gives your team the resources to accelerate product development and growth.
Beyond the perks, FounderHub connects you with our firm, experienced mentors, fellow founders, and the broader venture ecosystem creating valuable relationships and opportunities that support your long-term success.
Sadq is a Saudi-built digital documentation platform enabling individuals and businesses to sign, manage, and verify legally binding documents online in seconds.
The platform brings together e-signatures, contract management, KYC, and secure data rooms, with built-in Nafath identity verification. Licensed by the Digital Government Authority (DGA) and hosted entirely within Saudi Arabia, Sadq provides businesses with a secure, locally compliant solution for managing digital agreements and documentation.
Sanabil Accelerator Sessions, On Demand
Catch up on conversations, info sessions, and practical insights designed to help founders learn, build, and better prepare for the journey ahead. Hear from our mentors and local team as they unpack different aspects of building a company and navigating what comes next.
1Companies may have entities and/or operations in other jurisdictions.
2FIGURE IS BASED ON INTERNAL ESTIMATE AS OF 30 APRIL 2025 AND HAS NOT BEEN EXTERNALLY VERIFIED.
THIS PROGRAM IS OPERATED BY 500 STARTUPS INCUBATOR, L.L.C (TOGETHER WITH ITS AFFILIATES, “500 GLOBAL”). AND THE FUNDS ADVISED BY 500 GLOBAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.L.C. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY REVENUE GENERATED BY THESE ACTIVITIES. ALL CONTENT PROVIDED IN THIS WEBPAGE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 500 GLOBAL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBPAGE. WHILE 500 GLOBAL HAS TAKEN REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS WEBPAGE IS ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE, NO LIABILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSIONS. NOTHING IN THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE OR DELIVERED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM SHALL CONSTITUTE OR IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL, TAX OR INVESTMENT ADVICE BY 500 GLOBAL (INCLUDING INVESTMENT ADVICE AS DEFINED IN THE U.S. INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940). FURTHER, NO CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE IS OR IS INTENDED AS AN OFFER TO PROVIDE ANY INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OR FINANCIAL ADVICE BY 500 GLOBAL. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYTHING HEREIN BE CONSTRUED AS FUND MARKETING MATERIALS BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT INTO ANY 500 GLOBAL INVESTMENT FUND. THIS WEBPAGE IS UPDATED AS OF MAY 2023. PARTICIPATION IN THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE INVESTMENT BY A 500 GLOBAL FUND AND ALL INVESTMENTS IN PARTICIPANTS ARE SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF DILIGENCE AND INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE RELEVANT FUND.
