India Accelerator Expands into Saudi Arabia with a $15M Fund to Support Indian Startups’ Growth
India Accelerator (IA), a multi-stage, fund-led accelerator, is set to launch its accelerator program in Saudi Arabia, backed by a dedicated $15 million fund aimed at supporting Indian startups entering and scaling within the Kingdom. The initiative is supported by the National Technology Development Program’s (NTDP) Empowering Accelerators product, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s innovation-driven Vision 2030 agenda.
The program will focus on startups operating across AI, sustainability, electric mobility (EV), proptech, and deeptech sectors, offering targeted support to high-potential ventures seeking regional expansion.
The first cohort, scheduled to launch in March 2026, will support 8–10 startups, providing structured market-entry support, regulatory guidance, access to local partnerships, and investor connectivity. Applications for the inaugural cohort opened on December 8, 2025, and remained open until February 28, 2026.
Ashish Bhatia, Founder, India Accelerator, said in a statement,
“Saudi Arabia is emerging as one of the world’s most forward-looking innovation markets. Through this partnership with NTDP, we aim to offer Indian startups a trusted, structured pathway to scale in the Kingdom. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to enabling cross-border expansion and building meaningful linkages with global innovation ecosystems.”
Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO of the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), said in a statement,
“Saudi Arabia and India are home to two advanced startup ecosystems. Through our partnership with India Accelerator, we are opening new pathways that enable Indian entrepreneurs to collaborate with Saudi partners, tap into the Kingdom’s evolving technology and investment landscape, and contribute to the growth of its digital economy. This partnership strengthens the connection between our ecosystems and helps deepen long-term collaboration between the two countries in technology and investment.”
