Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build solutions to solve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
As a result, the Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Riyadh. While the Silicon-Valley based program has chapters in over 200 cities worldwide, early-stage entrepreneurs in Riyadh can finally now take advantage of the Founder Institute's renowned structure, mentor support, and network to build an enduring company.
Applications to the first ever Riyadh Founder Institute are now open, and anyone interested in building a technology company can apply at FI.co/apply/riyadh.
The Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding, and build something that matters.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 9,000 Alumni raise over 2BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free online startup events in Riyadh, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program from the comfort of your home:
Riyadh Events:
- Build Your First AI App in 90 Minutes (No Code Needed): 6:00pm, Nov 17, 2026 (Asia/Riyadh): https://FI.co/e/406847
- How to Take an AI Startup From Idea to Revenue: 7:00pm, Dec 02, 2026 (Asia/Riyadh): https://FI.co/e/406848
- Meet the Top Startup Mentors in Riyadh: 6:00pm, Dec 10, 2026 (Asia/Riyadh): https://FI.co/e/407715
- Ramadan Recruitment Session 1: 10:00pm, Feb 08, 2027 (Asia/Riyadh): https://FI.co/e/408848
- Ramadan Recruitment Session 2: 10:00pm, Feb 15, 2027 (Asia/Riyadh): https://FI.co/e/408847
Global or Regional Events:
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 8:00pm, Dec 01, 2026 (Asia/Riyadh): https://FI.co/e/408497
The experts that have been critical in bringing the Founder Institute to Riyadh include local startup leaders Ahmed Farouk (Ahmed Farouk , Batal), Hashem Zahran (Partner, GB Ventures).
Opportunities are flourishing in Riyadh. There's now a great ecosystem for entrepreneurs - from crowdfunding platforms to co-working spaces. The Founder Institute can increase an aspiring technology entrepreneur's chance of success by providing the necessary skills and mindset - and a link to the Silicon Valley!
In addition, many of the region's top founders, CEOs, advisors, and investors have signed on to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Riyadh Spring 2027 Founder Institute program, including:
- Abdulaziz Almuhaydib: Co-Founder & General Manager, Velents
- Adham El Sawy: Senior Finance Manager, Merak Capital
- Ahmed Farouk: CEO, Batal
- Ahmed Al Thukair: Managing Director, Rayh Innovations
- Ahmed Mursi: Entrepreneurship Programs Manager, Wadi Jeddah
- Ahmed Saleh: Founder & CEO, DAWA Innovation
- Ali Abdelghany: Founder and Director, SANAD BioPartners
- Amr Elnahla: Co-founder & CEO, Perzimo
- Asmaa Naga: Founder & CEO, STUCK?
- Awad Al Rashidi: Founder & CEO, Muntijuh Platform
- Billal Yamak: Country Manager // Chairman, OKX // Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia
- Dominik Grabinski: CEO & Founder, True Nexus
- Emad Alshamy: Managing Director, BLUX Ventures
- Emad Medher: Co-founder & CEO, Progx Labs
- Eman El Garhy: CEO, Ecothentic Sustainability Consultancy
- Esmé Swindells: Mrs, Al Tamimi & Company
- Ezz El Din Osama: Investment Manager, Value Makers Studio
- Faisal Alharthi: Digital Product Manager, STC
- Gigi De Vries: Brand & GTM Strategist, Independent Advisor
- Hasan Jabarti: Founder, Madinah Hubs
- Hashem Zahran: Partner, Gray Beard Ventures
- Hashim Hilal: Managing Director, InvEnt Quarter
- Ibraheem Kashkash: Founder / Former CEO, NAYLAM
- Imran Yousuf: CEO & Founder, The People & Company
- Jana Seifeddine: Concept Creator, Grand Emerald State
- Mahmoud Ghoz: Transformation Advisor
- Massilia Kheddouci: Director of Saudi Arabia, FunQuest
- Milian-Erik Retkowski: Founder, MER Venture Advisory
- Mohamed Mousa: Founder & CEO, dKilo, Inc.
- Mohamed Gaber: Founder & CEO, Velents
- Mohamed Al Essawe: COO & Co founder, Innovation future company
- Myriam Giri: Founder & Health Expert, Hayah Health
- Nabila Mhaoune: Chief strategy officer / Advisor / Founder, evercare / Health Society Club / naabid
- Paula Tavangar: Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital
- Rawan Haddad: Entrepreneurship Programs Coordinator, 2080 Ventures
- Rayan Alghusoon: Founder & CEO, Melkah
- Rayyan Alyahya: Co-Founder, NarraLabs
- Riyadh Altayib: CXO, Progx Labs
- Rohma Labeeb: Director, Margalla Solutions
- Sally Fathalla: Founder and Managing Director, Threaded Consult.
- Sara Teymoor: CEO, Amused
- Sebastián Jimenez: CEO, Booka
- Shams Tarek: Founder, InnoSpark
- Tarek Soliman: Co-founder & digital experience manager, Ugceer & NWC
- Wael Qenawy: Sr CX Director , Elevora Consultancy
- Yasir Qayam: Founder, YasraLabs
- Yazan Akkad: Founder, Zima Solutions
- Yehia Abouel Ezz: Managing Director , Codezal
- Yousof Ghazzawi: Business Transformation and Portfolio Leader, SABIC
- Zakiah Hakami: Business Operations & Organizational Development Consultant, Thmanyah
- And many more to be announced.
The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The organization's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
Join us in Riyadh and help build the future.
Apply to the Riyadh Spring 2027 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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