India Accelerator, a leading multi-stage accelerator and early-stage investment platform from India, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia with the launch of a $15 million fund aimed at helping Indian startups enter and scale in the Kingdom’s fast-growing innovation ecosystem. The initiative was unveiled in mid-December 2025 and marks a strategic cross-border push for the accelerator.
The expansion is backed by Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP) through its Empowering Accelerators product, aligning with the country’s broader Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy and attract technology-led growth. Participating startups will receive a combination of capital support, market access guidance, regulatory navigation, local partnership facilitation and connections to regional investors, according to multiple reports.
The $15 million fund will focus on high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence, sustainability, electric mobility (EV), proptech and deeptech, reflecting priorities in both Saudi and Indian innovation strategies. The first Saudi-focused cohort is expected to begin in March 2026, with applications having opened on December 8, 2025, and remaining open until February 28, 2026. Eight to ten startups will be selected for structured acceleration support under the program.
Ashish Bhatia, founder of India Accelerator, said the initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a leading global innovation market and provides Indian founders with a structured pathway to scale in the Kingdom. Leaders of NTDP have emphasised how the partnership strengthens collaborative ties between Indian and Saudi startup ecosystems, enabling entrepreneurs to tap into the Kingdom’s evolving technology landscape and investment opportunities.
Observers say the move enhances cross-border startup collaboration and positions India Accelerator as a key conduit for Indian entrepreneurs seeking to access one of the world’s most dynamic emerging markets, as well as supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for technological leadership and economic diversification.
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