Outliers Venture Capital has announced the launch of its flagship talent initiative, the Outliers Fellowship Program 2026, designed to identify and cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders, builders, and operators across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
This year’s edition is being delivered in an exclusive partnership with the Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening the region’s venture ecosystem by developing a robust, execution-ready talent pipeline for high-growth technology companies.
A Strategic Partnership to Bridge the Talent Gap
The fellowship directly addresses a critical need within the MENA tech landscape: the shortage of experienced operators. By creating a structured pathway for ambitious early-stage talent to connect with venture-backed companies, the program aims to provide invaluable, real-world company-building experience and retain top talent within the region.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time a regional fund of funds has formally backed a dedicated talent pipeline initiative. It aims to embed future operators into high-performance, innovation-driven cultures and strengthen the talent base necessary for startups to scale effectively.
Building on Inaugural Success
The 2026 program builds on the momentum of its highly successful inaugural cohort, which attracted hundreds of applicants from 14 countries. Fellows from leading global institutions like UC Berkeley, King’s College London, and KFUPM participated in a high-impact summer experience in Riyadh.
The program proved its effectiveness, with a highly selective single-digit acceptance rate and a tangible impact on participants’ careers. Over 40% of the fellows secured extended or full-time opportunities by the end of the program, demonstrating the quality of the candidates and the value of the experience provided.
What the Fellowship Offers
The highly competitive program provides a comprehensive experience for fellows across engineering, product, and business disciplines. Key benefits include:
- A summer internship with leading technology companies in the Outliers and SVC network, such as Lean, Strataphy, Lendo, and Soum.
- Tailored one-on-one mentorship sessions with industry leaders.
- Curated, high-impact weekly in-person programming designed to accelerate career growth and learning.
- A lifelong community of fellows and ambitious, like-minded builders.
Fostering a Talent Hub in Riyadh
By convening top students from around the world in Riyadh each summer, the program is strategically positioning the city as a central hub for company building and operator development, directly aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of cultivating talent and fostering innovation.
H.E Dr. Nabeel Koshak, CEO and board member of SVC, commented, “This partnership reflects SVC’s national role in advancing the venture capital ecosystem in Saudi Arabia through a holistic approach that goes beyond investment. This Fellowship represents a practical model for developing talent that can operate at global standards and support the Kingdom’s economic transformation.”
Sarah AlSaleh, General Partner at Outliers, added, “The strength of any tech ecosystem is ultimately shaped by the people who choose to build within it. Partnering with SVC allows us to build this pipeline with long-term intent and to help shape a generation of operators who will define the region’s next chapter.”
Applications for the 2026 Fellowship are open from January 26 to February 27.
About The Outliers Fellowship Program
The Outliers Fellowship Program is a flagship talent initiative by Outliers Venture Capital, run in partnership with the Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC). It is a selective summer program that embeds aspiring entrepreneurs, engineers, and operators from top global universities into high-growth, venture-backed technology companies across the MENA region. The fellowship aims to provide early-career talent with meaningful operating experience, mentorship, and a lifelong community to accelerate their careers and strengthen the regional tech ecosystem.
Source: Wamda
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