• Exel by Merak invested USD 5.1 million across 17 gaming startups, each receiving USD 300,000 plus mentorship and support.
• Exel’s first cohort emerged from 300+ global applications, spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global gaming hub.
• Exel aims to build a long-term pipeline for Saudi gaming, combining investment, mentorship, and support to scale world-class studios.

Exel by Merak

Saudi’s gaming accelerator, Exel by Merak, hosted its first demo day. In which it showcased 17 gaming startups from a pool of over 300 global applications. 

The accelerator provides each startup with USD 300 thousand in investment and equips them with mentorship and support from an industry leader. Furthermore, this makes its total investment in 17 startups USD 5.1 million.

The demo day put a spotlight on entrepreneurial talent aiming to support Saudi’s rise as a gaming hub. It was attended by investors, publishers, and strategic partners. During the event, participating studios unveiled original IP inspired by local stories, designed for international appeal, built to world-class standards, and backed by scalable business models.

“The Demo Day is not only an opportunity to showcase the next gaming talent, but it also signals to the world that Saudi Arabia is a global hub for game studios, not just a market for consuming games,” said Faisal Sedrani, Vice President – Innovation Platform at Merak Capital and Head of Exel.

Gaming Accelerator 

Building on its first cohort, Exel has created a long-term pipeline to nurture future Saudi gaming startups.  The accelerator backs studios, technologies, and publishing platforms with a comprehensive program. Moreover, it combines investment, mentorship, relocation support, and essential tools. This is to foster scalable gaming businesses rooted in Saudi culture and primed for global markets.

The accelerator provides startups with structured equity investment, market readiness support, legal and relocation assistance, and access to technology partners. These include Microsoft, Huawei, and AWS.

The accelerator is powered by Merak Capital’s USD 80 million gaming fund. It is also institutionally backed by the National Development Fund (NDF) in collaboration with the Social Development Bank (SDB).