Exel by Merak’s $5.1M Boost Powers 17 Saudi Game Startups Forward

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 20-02-2026

3 min

Exel by Merak awarded USD 5,1 million to 17 gaming startups.

The 13-week accelerator ended with a Riyadh Demo Day showcase.

Founders gained funding, “global mentorship” and hands-on commercial guidance.

The programme aims to build Saudi homegrown game development capabilities.

Organisers say strengthened capital and support are “stitched together” for growth.

Exel by Merak has handed out a total of USD 5.1 million to 17 startups, wrapping up the second cohort of its gaming accelerator with a Demo Day in Riyadh. The funding came through the Merak Gaming Fund, channelled via the Exel Gaming Accelerator, after a 13-week programme designed to help studios sharpen both their creative and commercial edges.

The event brought together founders, investors and industry insiders, with participating studios pitching their companies and showing off the games they built during the programme. For early-stage gaming startups, moments like this can be a real make-or-break. I’ve seen how one solid showcase can open doors that felt bolted shut just weeks before. It’s not just about capital, you know? It’s about credibility.

Faisal Sedrani, CEO of Exel by Merak, said the objective is to foster innovation in Saudi Arabia by empowering entrepreneurs and helping to shape supportive ecosystems. He pointed out that the organisation began with a clear focus on gaming, backing founders and studios as they develop and scale game production capabilities within the Kingdom. In a region where gaming is sometimes seen as “just entertainment”, that focus feels, well… spot on.

Cohort 2 participants received hands-on support from an in-house team with global experience across the gaming industry. The guidance covered product decisions, publishing readiness and commercial strategy, areas where many young studios struggle. On the flip side, creative talent alone is rarely enough; getting a game to market without a clear publishing plan can be a bit of a faff.

Beyond the core team, 18 international mentors worked closely with the startups from start to finish. Senior practitioners from across the global gaming scene also contributed insights throughout the programme. That combination, structured acceleration plus global mentorship. is increasingly becoming the gold standard for sector-focused accelerators.

At Arageek, we often speak about how Saudi’s gaming and esports push is gathering serious pace, and this latest Demo Day is another piece of that larger puzzle. I reckon specialised vehicles like the Merak Gaming Fund help move the needle faster than generalist capital ever could. When investors truly understand the mechanics of game development, from user acquisition costs to live-ops monetisation, the conversations shift. They become smarter. More grounded.

Seventeen startups now walk away not only with fresh funding but also with sharper strategies and stronger networks. That’s no small feat. And while USD 5.1 million may not sound astronomical by global standards, within a focused ecosystem it can definately go a long way.

Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build homegrown game development capabilities is no secret. What’s interesting is seeing the infrastructure gradually fall into place, capital, mentorship, publishing support, and investor attention all stitched together. If this momentum keeps up, the next cohort might just raise the bar even higher. And believe it or not, for a sector that once flew under the radar in the region, that’s quite something.

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