December 2025: India Accelerator (IA) – India’s leading multi‑stage, fund‑led accelerator—is expanding to Saudi Arabia with a dedicated $15 million fund to help Indian startups enter, operate, and scale in the Kingdom. The initiative is backed by the National Technology Development Program (NTDP) under its Empowering Accelerators product, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 mandate to build a world‑class innovation economy.
The expansion will focus on high‑impact sectors aligned with the Kingdom’s strategic priorities, including Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, Electric Mobility (EV), PropTech, and DeepTech.
The first Saudi cohort will launch in March 2026, onboarding 8–10 high‑potential Indian startups. Selected companies will receive:
- Capital from the dedicated $15M fund
- Structured market‑entry support
- Regulatory and compliance guidance
- Access to Saudi corporates and ecosystem partners
- Investor connectivity across the Kingdom
Applications opened on December 8, 2025, and will remain open until February 28, 2026.
Ashish Bhatia, Founder, India Accelerator, said: “Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the world’s most forward‑looking innovation markets. Through this partnership with NTDP, we aim to offer Indian startups a trusted, structured pathway to scale in the Kingdom. This collaboration strengthens our mission to enable cross‑border expansion and build meaningful linkages with global innovation ecosystems.”
Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO, NTDP, added: “Saudi Arabia and India are home to two advanced startup ecosystems. Through our partnership with India Accelerator, we are opening new pathways for Indian entrepreneurs to collaborate with Saudi partners, tap into the Kingdom’s evolving technology and investment landscape, and contribute to the growth of its digital economy. This partnership deepens long‑term collaboration between our countries in technology and investment.”
Strengthening India–Saudi Innovation Ties
The partnership with NTDP lays the foundation for deeper engagement across the GCC, expanding India Accelerator’s global footprint and enabling Indian founders to access one of the world’s fastest‑growing tech markets.
About NTDP
The National Technology Development Program (NTDP) is a flagship Saudi initiative accelerating the Kingdom’s digital economy and positioning it as a global hub for emerging technologies. NTDP drives growth through strategic funding, international partnerships, policy integration, and talent development.
Its products span venture financing, incubation and acceleration, R&D‑industry collaborations, and global scaling programs. Aligned with Vision 2030, NTDP is unlocking opportunities in AI, robotics, semiconductors, health, sustainability, and deeptech while catalyzing job creation, investment, and GDP growth.
About India Accelerator
India Accelerator (IA) is India’s leading seed‑stage accelerator and winner of the “Best Accelerator of the Country” award from Start‑up India (2022). IA operates a multi‑stage, fund‑led model, supporting founders through acceleration, early‑stage investments, and ecosystem enablement.
Beyond its accelerator programs, IA is active in early‑stage investing through its joint venture Finvolve, three AIFs, and a GIFT City Fund. IA provides startups with capital, mentorship, networks, and structured support to scale in India and global markets.
