List of Business Incubators in Saudi Arabia

Business incubators or business incubator programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are institutions that adopt newly emerging projects and establishments for a certain period, starting from six months and may continue for years, contributing to their support by providing several services that help their development.

1. Virtual business incubator:

It supports startups that need capital and advice to realize their business concepts.

2. Medical business incubator:

It focuses on startups in the healthcare field, where they can resort to medical incubators to enhance their opportunities.

3. Culinary arts business incubator:

It is designed to give small food companies a competitive advantage when entering the local market.

4. General/social business incubator:

It provides the necessary knowledge and resources to enable entrepreneurial businesses to offer charitable works to the community.

5. Startup accelerator business incubator:

It focuses on the early growth stages of startups, providing educational and mentoring assistance.

6. Technical business incubator:

It focuses on supporting technology-based projects and enhancing their growth opportunities.

There are more than thirty business incubators in the Kingdom, distributed across Jeddah, Riyadh, and other cities of the Kingdom. Among them are:

1. "Badir" business incubator:

Launched in 2007, it is a program that contributes to supporting technical projects and is one of the initiatives of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).

Badir launched eight business incubators in seven cities in the Kingdom: Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Abha, Qassim, Dammam, and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.

2. "Wa'ed" Ventures business incubator affiliated with Aramco:

Established in 2011, it is a program affiliated with Aramco and aims to provide several programs such as the "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Unit." The foundational grants provided by Wa'ed reach up to SAR100,000.

3. Business incubator from Princess Nourah University:

This program aims at empowering female students, university female employees, and Saudi women in the field of entrepreneurship to support their economic journey.

4. "Khuta" business incubator and accelerator:

Affiliated with King Saud University, it aims to provide a suitable environment to support youth who have new ideas with human resources, financial, and technical support.

5. Startups House business incubator:

Established in 2017, it aims to build a suitable environment for entrepreneurship and contributes to supporting medium and large companies, as well as small companies.

6. Biotech business incubator:

It focuses on supporting those interested in biotechnology by providing companies with workspaces with flexible leases and shared office tools, and it also contributes to connecting them with experts who provide guidance.

7. "Sana" business incubator:

It is known as Prince Ahmed Bin Fahd Bin Salman Center, affiliated with al-Ahsa Chamber, it contributes to supporting medium and small businesses.

8. Business incubator of the Saudi Water Innovation Center (SWIC):

It is a training program that provides various services aimed at transforming ideas and innovations in the water technology sector into existing economic projects in the market, and qualifying project owners by providing them with financial support, guidance, and counseling.

9. Entrepreneurship Hub business incubator:

It is affiliated with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority "Monsha'at", aiming to provide shared workspaces, logistical and administrative services, intensive training, and support companies by providing consultations.

10. Nafisa Shams business incubator:

It contributes to supporting entrepreneurship for girls wishing to start private projects by providing shared and private workspaces, and it also provides them with consultations.