Sanabil and LAUNCH Unveil Startup Bootcamp to Ignite Riyadh’s Entrepreneurial Scene

It looks like the startup scene in the region is getting another shot in the arm. Sanabil Investments has just unveiled a new effort called Sanabil Founder University by LAUNCH—a 12-week training scheme built to help early-stage founders get their ventures off the ground. Word is, the first cohort will kick off in Riyadh come November 2025. I have to say, seeing Riyadh become a real hotspot for entrepreneurs is spot on for energising the whole ecosystem.

What’s really interesting here is the partnership behind the programme. Sanabil is teaming up with LAUNCH, the US-based outfit led by well-known investor and serial entrepreneur Jason Calacanis. That’s a name that some in startup circles will have heard bandied about—from podcasts to big tech events, he’s a bit of a fixture. His involvement brings some international oomph to the table, which might be just what local and regional founders need to get noticed beyond their own backyard.

The idea is straightforward: offer structured, hands-on support for founders in their very first year. The programme isn’t just for those with a ready-made product either; founders who only have an idea and a co-founder, or even an early MVP (minimum viable product), are welcome. Having cut my teeth working with scrappy startups myself, I know those first months are a real slog—a bit of a faff, to be honest—so any extra guidance can make all the difference between giving up and going global.

Sanabil Founder University promises a hybrid twist, blending virtual sessions with in-person learning in Riyadh. There’ll be plenty of workshops, group discussions, and masterclasses led by experienced founders, investors, and other industry bods. The curriculum leans into practical matters that every founder grapples with—think business model strategy, fundraising essentials, product-market fit and customer acquisition. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from being around the block in the MENA entrepreneurial scene, it’s that having real, actionable advice at your fingertips often trumps all the generic theory in the world.

One thing to be clear about—it doesn’t look like the programme offers immediate investment to accepted founders. But those who really shine during the 12 weeks may get a shot at pitching to local and global investors, either during the course or after graduating. LAUNCH itself, or other partners, might even throw some funding their way. On the flip side, it means founders will have to earn that shot at capital, which feels fair enough. I reckon building up those connections—something all too rare in the early days—could be far more valuable in the long run than a quick cheque.

Sign-ups for the inaugural batch are already open, and if you fancy your chances, applications and more details can be found at mena.founder.university (don’t leave it too late—these things often fill up fast). As someone who’s seen too many talented founders trip up for lack of practical know-how, I’m chuffed to bits every time I see new initiatives like this launched. And believe it or not, sometimes it really is just that extra bit of encouragement that gets a new business idea rolling from dream to reality—well... even if things don’t always go as planned.

For all of us at Arageek, what matters is seeing the region’s startup ecosystem grow legs and run. Here’s hoping this programme will give a few more founders the gentle shove they need when the going gets tough.

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