Register now and be one of the first to preview the 37 dynamic TAQADAM startups on March 21
It’s an unveiling a year in the making — and what a year it was.
On March 10, 2021, 37 graduates from the 2020 TAQADAM Startup Accelerator cohort will stand on (virtual) stage and share their big ideas with the world — and with a panel of elite global judges. The goal? To be one of 11 teams to walk away with their share of more than 4,000,000 SR in funding.
These 37 startups — lead by 70+ dynamic founders — recently completed the 2020 TAQADAM Startup Accelerator program. The six-month intensive based in Saudi Arabia at KAUST and sponsored by Saudi British Bank (SABB) helps transform early-stage entrepreneurs and their ideas into new, high-potential startups. This year’s cohort includes startups from eCommerce, HealthTech, EdTec, FinTech, and more.
Where they’ve been — and where they’re going
This year, 561 startups applied for the accelerator and 59 were shortlisted. Accepted teams received 150,000 SR in zero-equity funding and participated in a two-week virtual intensive, covering critical topics for modern founders — everything from design thinking and leadership to fundraising, sales, and strategic development.
In the month that followed, founders tapped into online collaborative tools and their designated mentors, working diligently to bring their ideas to market. TAQADAM also made use of KAUST and SABB’s powerful networks to connect founders with industry leaders in the startup ecosystem, helping guide them throughout their journey.
What comes next: register for the showcase
The program culminates in the March 10 showcase — themed “Creativity Crystallized,” to reflect the intense pressure entrepreneurs face amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. More than ever, this year’s graduates are a testament to ingenuity and creativity — no matter how hard the market pushed, these innovative entrepreneurs pushed right back, continuing to evolve, pivot, and disrupt their way to successful launches.
Following the three-minute presentations, 10 startups will be awarded 375,000 SR in zero-equity follow-on funding. One additional team will be named the People’s Choice winner and also receive 375,000 SR.
This is the fourth year KAUST and SABB have come together to run the TAQADAM Startup Accelerator program. With an eye on accelerating next-generation entrepreneurs, the accelerator has graduated 126 startups to-date and granted over 16,000,000 SR in zero-equity grant funding.
Interested in a (virtual) front row seat?
Register now to secure your spot and your chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Then tune in on March 21 at 3:00 PM AST. as startup presentations kick-off.