India Accelerator expands to Saudi Arabia with $15 million fund to support Indian startups

India Accelerator (IA), a multi-stage, fund-led accelerator, is set to launch its accelerator program in Saudi Arabia, backed by a dedicated $15 million fund to support Indian startups entering and scaling in the Kingdom.

The initiative is supported by the National Technology Development Program’s (NTDP) Empowering Accelerators product, advancing Saudi Arabia’s growing innovation mandate under Vision 2030.

The initiative will focus on startups across the AI, Sustainability, Electric Mobility (EV), PropTech, and DeepTech sectors that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 priorities and the NTDP’s mission to accelerate technology-led economic transformation.

The first cohort, scheduled for launch in March 2026, will support 8-10 startups, providing them with structured market-entry support, regulatory guidance, access to local partnerships, and investor connectivity.

Applications for the inaugural batch opened on December 8, 2025, and remained 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 reinforces our commitment to enabling cross-border expansion and building meaningful linkages with global innovation ecosystems.”

Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO of the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), added: “Saudi Arabia and India are home to two advanced startup ecosystems. Through our partnership with India Accelerator, we are opening new pathways that enable 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 strengthens the connection between our ecosystems and helps deepen long-term collaboration between the two countries in technology and investment.”