How to Raise Funding from VCs in Saudi Arabia (2026): Government Programs & Saudi Arabia Startup

2 hours ago
3 min read

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has unleashed a torrent of capital to diversify the economy. In 2026, startups in the Kingdom can access a mix of government-backed funds, co-investment vehicles, and incentive programs. Unlike some markets, Saudi Arabia combines sovereign wealth and regulatory reforms to rapidly build its startup ecosystem.

The key pillars include the Public Investment Fund’s initiatives, the Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), and new programs from the SME authority (Monsha’at). Below, we break down the top funding programs, eligibility, instruments, and where to apply.

Top Funding Programs

1. Jada Fund of Funds (PIF) – SAR 4B Co-Investment Capital

The Public Investment Fund’s Jada is a government-backed fund-of-funds launched in 2018. It has SAR 4 billion (~$1 billion) under management. Jada invests in private equity and VC funds targeting the Saudi market.

Eligibility: Private equity/VC funds focused on Saudi Arabia, meeting international governance standards.
Instrument: Equity fund-of-funds (invests in VC/PE funds).
Investment: Up to SAR 4B total (SAR 4B committed capital); Jada partners with funds (no public application portal).

Founders indirectly benefit as more VC capital flows into the Kingdom.

2. Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC) – Gov’t VC Co-Investment

SVC is a government-established VC fund that co-invests in Saudi tech companies. It works via two programs:

Fund Investments: SVC invests up to 65% of a VC/PE fund’s size, to catalyze local fund formation.
Direct Investments: SVC also participates directly in funding rounds. It can commit to startup rounds (Saudi-based or expanding to Saudi) from early to late stage. Minimum ticket is SAR 1M (~$267k); SVC’s share is capped at 30% of any round.
Instrument: Equity co-investments.
Access: Founders cannot apply directly; they work with VC firms or investment vehicles in partnership with SVC.

3. Monshaat “Estrdad” – $400M Fee-Refund Program

Monsha’at (SME Authority) launched the Estrdad initiative to offset startup costs. Saudi’s second edition allocates SAR 1.5B (~$400M) to reimburse up to 80% of key business fees.

Eligibility: SMEs/startups ≥60% Saudi-owned, within their first 3 years of operation.
Instrument: Fee refunds (tax cuts).
Amount: SAR 1.5B total; covers fees like visa levies, registrations, licenses, patent applications.
Portal: Apply via Monsha’at’s official channels (ongoing until end-2026).

Monsha’at also runs public-private accelerator programs. These 3–6 month cohorts provide workspace, mentorship, training, and grants to startups in sectors like e-commerce and fintech.

Eligibility: Varies by accelerator, typically local SMEs or innovators.
Instrument: Mixed (non-dilutive grants, services).
Amount: Grants size unspecified (program-specific); focus is on enabling startup growth.
Portal: Details on Monsha’at’s website under “Services” (Accelerators).

4. Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) – Industry Loans

SIDF offers long-term loans to industrial projects. It can finance up to 75% of project costs for strategic industries, including tech manufacturing.

Eligibility: Industrial firms (manufacturing, energy, tech industries).
Instrument: Debt (concessional loans).
Amount: Up to 75% of approved project budget (cap depends on location and sector).
Portal: Apply via SIDF’s online portal (sidf.gov.sa).

Eligibility & Access

Most programs require a Saudi legal entity, and many favor high Saudization or local content. Key points:

Ownership: For Estrdad, ≥60% Saudi partners. PIF and SVC investments generally go through institutional channels (no fixed ownership requirement for founders).
Stages: Programs cover seed to growth. SVC covers pre-seed to late stage; accelerators focus on early-stage; SIDF targets mature projects.
Sectors: Priority on tech (AI, fintech, biotech), local manufacturing, tourism, and Vision 2030 projects.
Applications: Jada & SVC – apply via partner VC funds; Estrdad & accelerators – apply via Monsha’at; SIDF – via SIDF portal.

Saudi Arabia Startup

For missing specifics (e.g., exact grant amounts in accelerators), official sites or MoMRA (Ministry of Municipal) should be checked. Key sources above provide initial data but direct government portals will have application details.

Join the Aspire Capital Community

Aspire Capital is a global investment ecosystem combining education, independent research, and a network of serious investors. Built for those who want to understand markets and make informed decisions.