Saudi Arabia’s Attliq Accelerator has expanded its early-stage support model to include direct investment, following a collaboration between its operator, Startups House, and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP) through the Empowering Accelerators initiative.
Speaking to StartupBlink, Startups House Founder and CEO Bahar Bin Mohammed AlHarbi said the move is designed to address a gap in support for pre-seed founders. While Saudi Arabia’s venture capital market has grown, early-stage startups still need structured guidance to move from an idea to an investment-ready business.
Attliq initially focused on mentorship and training. The addition of an early-stage investment fund allows the accelerator to invest in promising startups before connecting them with the wider investment community, according to the announcement. The model is intended to align the accelerator with the founders it supports while giving startups both capital and practical guidance.
AlHarbi said Attliq’s recent cohort included founders from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Pakistan, reflecting the increasingly international nature of the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem.
He identified coachability as one of the most important qualities among successful founders, alongside resilience and a willingness to test ideas, gather feedback and build momentum before seeking funding. The accelerator also emphasizes relevant mentorship from experienced founders and operators, as well as introductions to investors, customers and strategic partners.
Source: Ecosystem Saudi
