Propeller Launches Kernel Camp to Propel MENA Founders into Silicon Valley

Propeller has rolled out a new initiative called Kernel Camp, an eight‑week residency in San Francisco designed to give early deep‑tech founders from the MENA region a proper shot at refining their products in the heart of Silicon Valley. The first edition is set for April to May 2026, and it’s aimed squarely at builders who already have something tangible to show—demo‑ready products, early traction, and the sort of technical grit that tends to stand out. As someone who’s spent years around founders through Arageek’s community events, I’ve seen how simply being in the right environment can turn a vague concept into something that actually works, so this feels spot on.

The programme offers fully sponsored housing, curated workshops, weekly guest sessions, and one‑on‑one time with seasoned operators. There are also site visits to major tech companies and VCs, all wrapping up with a demo day for Propeller’s Silicon Valley network. It’s the kind of access that, frankly, can be a bit of a faff for MENA founders to secure on their own, especially when navigating the Bay Area’s maze of meetings and must‑knows.

Propeller’s team seems keen on framing Kernel Camp as more than just another residency. Zaid Farekh, the firm’s founder and managing partner, emphasised the calibre of emerging talent in the region, saying the camp places founders in a setting where deep‑tech thinking and global distribution come together to tackle frontier‑tech challenges. On the flip side, partner Hani Azzam pointed out the importance of community, reminding everyone that no founder builds alone. And believe it or not, that rings true—I’ve lost count of how many early teams told me they only found the right direction after bumping into someone who’d solved a similar problem years earlier.

The launch comes shortly after Propeller announced its $50 million Fund III, focused on AI infrastructure, developer tools, and deep software across the US and MENA. Kernel Camp appears to be one of the fund’s cornerstones, serving as a bridge between both ecosystems. Propeller already has a solid Silicon Valley network—portfolio companies, LPs, service providers, co‑investors—so the camp isn’t starting from scratch, which I reckon gives it a decent head start.

By pushing MENA founders into the global deep‑tech arena rather than keeping them on the sidelines, Propeller seems intent on boosting the region’s visibility in AI innovation. With rising technical talent and stronger cross‑border links, the ambition is to help build companies that can scale well beyond their home markets. Applications are now open on Propeller’s website for those who fancy taking the leap, though… well, I mean, competition will definately be fierce.

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