Saudi’s Sanabil Investments and LAUNCH Open Applications for MENA Founder University

Applications are now officially open for the inaugural cohort of the Sanabil Investments Founder University by LAUNCH, a new 12-week pre-accelerator designed to help build, launch, and scale the next generation of MENA-based startups. This high-profile partnership brings together one of Saudi Arabia’s largest investment firms with a world-renowned Silicon Valley accelerator.

By the Numbers

• 12: Weeks in the intensive pre-accelerator program.
• 24: Live, mandatory sessions with industry experts.
• 32: Total lessons covering the startup lifecycle.
• Free: The cost of the program for founders who maintain full attendance in live sessions.

Program Overview and Mission

The Sanabil Investments Founder University is a hands-on program for ambitious founders across the MENA region. The program will be delivered remotely, with the added benefit of in-person sessions and networking opportunities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The mission is to provide early-stage entrepreneurs with a step-by-step guide to building a company, from foundational knowledge to preparing for their next funding round.

A Week-by-Week Journey to Investment Readiness

The program’s intensive 12-week curriculum is designed to guide founders through every critical stage of building a business:

• Week 1: Foundational Knowledge
• Week 2: Being a Founder
• Week 3: Building an MVP
• Week 4: Business Model
• Week 5: Customer Profiles
• Week 6: Validation Research
• Week 7: Metrics & TAM (Total Addressable Market)
• Week 8: Iterating on MVP
• Week 9: User Feedback
• Week 10: Competitive Matrix
• Week 11: Perfecting the Pitch
• Week 12: Accelerator Preparation

What Participants Will Gain

Founders accepted into the program will receive comprehensive support. The weekly schedule includes a 90-minute live session with industry experts on Mondays and a 90-minute “pod” session on Wednesdays for deep dives and pitch practice. By the end of the program, participants will have:

• Built and iterated on their Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
• Identified their target customers and a viable business model.
• Onboarded their first users and employed effective marketing strategies.
• Sharpened their pitch and identified sources for future funding.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs based in the MENA region who are ready to commit to an intensive, hands-on program to build and scale their startups.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Program Start: The first cohort will begin in November 2025.
• Application Deadline: The deadline to apply is September 15, 2025.
• How to Apply: Founders can apply here

About the Partners

• Sanabil Investments: A major investment company wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), focused on global private investments, including venture capital and growth-stage companies.
• LAUNCH: A globally recognized accelerator and investment firm founded by Silicon Valley investor Jason Calacanis, known for its high-impact programs that help founders scale.

Source: Program Website