Are You Interested in Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia?

If you're passionate about business and investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this article will walk you through recent developments in the tech sector—highlighting initiatives launched by the National IT Development Program to encourage innovation and attract international companies.

Let’s take a closer look at what this program offers and how it's shaping the future of tech investment in Saudi Arabia.

What Is the National IT Development Program?

The National IT Development Program is a government initiative designed to boost the tech ecosystem in Saudi Arabia by enhancing its efficiency and ensuring sustainable growth. It leverages financial and knowledge-based resources while collaborating with relevant stakeholders across the ecosystem.

Key Objectives of the National IT Development Program

The program focuses on four main goals:

1. Support Local Tech Companies: Empower national companies in the IT and emerging tech sectors, helping them grow locally and expand globally.
   
   

2. Encourage Private Sector Adoption: Increase the adoption of IT solutions and applications—including emerging technologies—within the local private sector.
   
   

3. Attract Innovation Leaders: Bring in companies that drive innovation, including research and development centers in the IT field.
   
   

4. Localize the IT Sector: Promote the localization of the IT sector, especially emerging technologies, and increase the percentage of local content.
   
   

12 Key Initiatives Launched by the Program

The program has introduced 12 initiatives to support and grow the tech sector in Saudi Arabia:

• Relocate
  
  

• Venture Debt
  
  

• TechCrew
  
  

• Boost
  
  

• Connect
  
  

• BRIDGE
  
  

• NEXT ERA
  
  

• Unicorn Support Program
  
  

• MVPLAB
  
  

• LendTech
  
  

• Accelerator Enablement
  
  

• Tech Growth Financing
  
  

To explore full details of each initiative, visit the official website of the National IT Development Program.

Spotlight on the Relocate Initiative

Among the standout initiatives is Relocate, which aims to attract global and multinational tech startups by offering incentives and simplifying the process of establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia.

This initiative opens the door to expanding into local and regional markets while benefiting from government support.

Who Can Apply for the Relocate Initiative?

To be eligible for the Relocate initiative, companies must meet the following six conditions:

1. Be at least in Series A funding round or equivalent.
   
   

2. Have been established for at least two years.
   
   

3. Operate in the IT or emerging tech sectors.
   
   

4. Have no current presence or operations in Saudi Arabia.
   
   

5. Relocate executive leadership (CEO or upper management) to Saudi Arabia.
   
   

6. The Saudi-based office must focus on business development, research, and innovation (not just sales or marketing).
   
   

Sidrahub Is Here to Help

At Sidrahub, we’re excited to assist global tech startups and multinational companies in establishing operations in Saudi Arabia.
Reach out to us now for a free consultation via WhatsApp.