• TAQADAM, organized by KAUST and SAB, and awarded USD 1M to 10 startups at its 8th annual showcase to support Saudi tech entrepreneurship.
• The program has backed 270 startups, raising USD 648 million in investments and creating a total of 4,500 jobs. 
• Selected startups span AI, gaming, real estate, and healthcare, with innovations in climate monitoring, e-commerce, and automated business solutions.

Accelerator

TAQADAM announced awarding a funding pool of USD 1 million to 10 startups at its 8th annual showcase in February 2025. TAQADAM, is an accelerator program, led by KAUST to foster entrepreneurship and cultivate a tech ecosystem.

“ TAQADAM is just one of the many programs we have for taking Saudi tech companies into the global market and bringing foreign companies into Saudi Arabia where they create jobs.”

Dr. Ian Campbell, Vice President of the KAUST National Transformation Institute

The showcase is initiated by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank(SAB). To date, together they have supported 270 startups that have raised a total of USD 297 million in funding and generated 3,569 jobs. 

Mai Bin Dayel, SAB Head of Communication and ESG, said, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to fostering growth, creativity, and sustainable impact in the region. Together, we look forward to helping these startups scale new heights and achieve their full potential.” 

Selected Startups

• Airmo – Aims to transform climate monitoring with satellite intelligence for real-time greenhouse gas tracking.

• Juleb – Aims to transform the pharmaceutical supply chain with AI-powered ERP solutions. 
• Mare Custos – Developing advanced underwater robots for offshore inspections, empowering marine industries with precise data.
• Markopolo – Offers AI-driven personalized marketing solutions aiming to enhance customer engagement and boost conversions 
• NeonRain – Enabling gamers to create and monetize custom content, transforming gaming experiences and community engagement 
• Nuzul – aiming to simplify real estate management with a digital platform for property listings, rentals, and payments 
• Porte – Working on revamping hotel guest experiences through a digital concierge platform offering real-time services and upselling opportunities 
• Sampo AI – Providing AI-powered price optimization for e-commerce, boosting profitability through real-time adjustments 
• Teammates.ai – Deploying AI-powered virtual teammates to fully automate different job functions across multiple channels 
• Twinn Health – Using AI-powered MRI scans for early detection of potential health risks, promoting proactive health management.

It is worth noting that the KAUST entrepreneurship ecosystem has supported 274 startups to date.  Moreover, the program has raised USD 648 million of investment, generated at USD 428 million in revenue and created over 4,500 jobs that are now valued at USD 1.8 billion.