نورهان فؤاد
- KACST graduated 46 deep-tech startups under the second cohort of the KACST Venture Program, known as KVP.
- The startups received SAR 6.9 million in total funding and represented five Saudi research and academic institutions.
- Since its launch in 2024, KVP has graduated 92 deep-tech startups and granted 16 technology licenses to the private sector and startups.
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology KACST celebrated the graduation of 46 deep-tech startups at The Garage, Saudi Arabia’s innovation incubator and accelerator, as part of the second cohort of the KACST Venture Program KVP.
The program was implemented with the support of the National Technology Development Program NTDP, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on turning research and innovation outputs into scalable, investment-ready startups.
46 Startups Receive SAR 6.9 Million in Funding
The graduating startups represented five Saudi research and academic institutions: KACST, King Saud University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Prince Sultan University, and Alfaisal University.
Together, the 46 startups received total funding of SAR 6.9 million to help transform promising research outputs into technology companies capable of entering the market and attracting investment.
The graduation ceremony was attended by KACST President Dr. Munir Eldesouki, alongside leaders from Saudi Arabia’s research, development, and innovation ecosystem.
KACST Launches Third Edition of KVP
During the ceremony, KACST also launched the third edition of the KACST Venture Program.
The new edition aims to empower research teams at Saudi universities to transform their research and innovation outputs into startups with strong growth and investment potential.
The launch reflects KACST’s continued efforts to support university-based innovation and connect scientific research with market needs, particularly in advanced technology sectors that are becoming increasingly important to Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.
New Venture Capital Readiness Program Announced
KACST also launched a venture capital readiness program in strategic partnership with Kahelan Fund.
The initiative aims to prepare 15 startups graduating from KVP for the venture capital stage. As part of the partnership, Kahelan Fund will lead an investment round for one of the startups, while five startups will take part in an intensive training program focused on investment readiness.
This step gives graduating startups a stronger pathway from technology development to commercial expansion and venture capital fundraising.
KACST: Connecting Research Outputs With Market Needs
Dr. Khalid Al-Dakkan, KACST Senior Vice President for Innovation Oases, said the KACST Venture Program serves as a national platform for transforming promising research and technologies into startups with economic impact.
He noted that KACST is working to build an integrated ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs and connects research outputs with market needs and investment opportunities, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness in deep technologies.
Startups Showcase Solutions Across Advanced Technology Sectors
The graduation ceremony included presentations by several graduating startups, showcasing innovative solutions across advanced materials, biomedical technologies, green hydrogen, clean energy, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, radars, and 3D printing.
The diversity of these solutions highlights the broad role of deep technologies in supporting Saudi Arabia’s emerging strategic sectors.
KVP Has Graduated 92 Deep-Tech Startups Since 2024
Since its launch in 2024, the KACST Venture Program has graduated 92 deep-tech startups.
The program has also granted six technology licenses to the private sector and 10 licenses to startups across its first and second cohorts, helping maximize the value of research and development outputs and turn them into promising technology solutions.
KVP, which received the Inspiring Solutions Award from the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation IASP, is a national initiative designed to transform research projects into startups and narrow the gap between research outputs and market needs.
Deep Tech and Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diversification
KVP supports Saudi Arabia’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by helping deep-tech startups grow across non-oil sectors, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
The program’s significance lies in its ability to move scientific research from laboratories and universities into market-ready startups developing practical solutions in strategic sectors such as clean energy, medical technologies, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
With two cohorts now graduated and a third edition launched, KACST continues to strengthen the connection between scientific research and entrepreneurship, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leading hub for deep technology and innovation.
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