Kuwait Innovation Centre, Keeta Launch Bold Programme for Food-Delivery Startups

When I first heard that the Kuwait Innovation Centre had teamed up with Keeta to roll out a new initiative for small and medium‑sized businesses, it reminded me of some of the community programmes we’ve seen grow around the MENA region. At Arageek, we’ve often watched founders try to navigate the food‑delivery space — a sector that looks simple from the outside but, honestly, can be a bit of a faff once you get into the weeds.

The two organisations have now signed an MoU to launch the first edition of what’s being called the Keta Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Programme. It’s built around tech‑driven entrepreneurship and aims to help participants come up with practical, innovation‑led solutions for the food‑delivery industry. From what’s been shared publicly, the idea is to combine Keta’s operational know‑how with the Innovation Centre’s experience in nurturing early‑stage talent. I reckon that mix could be spot on for founders who often struggle to turn early concepts into something scalable.

Up to 50 participants — a blend of entrepreneurs, startups and emerging talent — are expected to join. They’ll spend the programme tackling real operational challenges, guided by hands‑on mentorship and targeted training. And believe it or not, it’s not just technical tinkering; the structure includes exposure to AI tools, product development, design thinking, innovation methods and broader entrepreneurial practices. I remember seeing a group of young Kuwaiti founders last year trying to build their first prototype without any structured support… well… I mean, this sort of programme could have saved them weeks of wandering in circles.

The Kuwait Innovation Centre will lead the design and implementation, with Keta collaborating closely throughout. Participants are expected to develop prototypes, proof‑of‑concepts and business models that can actually survive in the fast‑paced digital‑delivery environment. The whole project sits under a strategic partnership with Kuwait’s National Fund for SME Development, reflecting the country’s wider push to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and lift SMEs through technology‑led growth.

The journey starts with open registration and community outreach, then moves through participant selection, a training bootcamp, and eventually a demo day paired with an awards ceremony. Over the course of the programme, mentors will work intensively with the groups for three full days, helping them refine their ideas with insights taken directly from the realities of food‑delivery operations. It’s refreshing to see a programme that doesn’t shy away from the gritty details that so many startups overlook — sometimes disastrously.

Winning teams at the final event will receive cash prizes and, perhaps more importantly, the chance to explore future collaboration or pilot opportunities with Keta. For many founders, that kind of access is half the battle.

In comments shared publicly, Mohammed Saleh Al‑Refai, CEO of the Kuwait Innovation Centre, said the initiative reflects the Centre’s commitment to empowering local talent with market‑driven innovation skills. He noted that working with Keta creates a space where ideas can turn into solutions that feed into Kuwait’s digital economy. Max Qiu, Keta’s general manager in Kuwait, highlighted the strong partnership between the two organisations, saying that the Centre’s understanding of the local landscape provides fertile ground for emerging talent, while Keta contributes operational expertise to help transform ideas into something workable — and definitely worth watching.

The programme is expected to kick off later this month, with the final demo day and awards planned for the end of December 2025. More details will be shared through the Innovation Centre’s official channels. For anyone building in this space, it might be one of those opportunities you don’t want to miss, even if the timing can be a little trickey.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!

✉️ Send Us Your Story 👇

https://en.arageek.com/send-us-your-story-or-a-news-tip