The ITHCA Group, the technology investment arm of the Oman Investment Authority, has launched a new accelerator and venture fund initiative designed to support Omani startups expanding into the Saudi Arabian market, officials announced.
The programme centres on a six-month business accelerator known as ‘Bawabat’ (Gateway), created in collaboration with Omani technology company Al Jabr and backed by Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Programme (NTDP). The initiative aims to connect Omani technology startups with investors and facilitate market entry into the Kingdom, according to statements from participating organisations.
Selected startups that have moved beyond the prototype stage and are targeting Saudi expansion can receive an exclusive investment of up to USD 100,000 from the newly rebranded OTF SCALE Fund, which evolved from ITHCA’s earlier Ideation Stage Fund. This venture fund focuses on helping founders develop prototypes and build scalable technology companies in sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, software and digital services.
In addition to financial support, the accelerator offers a structured framework of business development assistance, cross-border partnerships, mentorship, investor access, product localisation and market readiness support.
The launch event also featured the signing of a strategic investment agreement with Vision Ventures, a Saudi-based early-stage venture capital fund, aimed at expanding Omani startups’ access to broader regional investment networks and capital.
Executives from ITHCA and partner organisations described the initiatives as a “practical bridge” to shorten the journey for Omani companies entering the Saudi market and a step toward deeper Oman–Saudi tech cooperation within the Gulf’s innovation ecosystem.
The programme marks a significant push by Oman’s public tech investment ecosystem to help local startups scale regionally and tap into the larger market and capital resources of neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
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