TikTok and Blossom Unleash AI-Focused Startup Push in Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 20-04-2026

4 min

TikTok and Blossom launch a second SME programme focused on AI innovation.

The first cohort saw $840,000 revenue growth and over $14 million funding.

A new AI hackathon and three-month accelerator offer dual entry points.

Startups can access up to $60,000 grants plus mentorship and support.

Backed by Monsha’at and CODE, it advances Vision 2030 digital ambitions.

TikTok and Blossom are doubling down on Saudi Arabia’s startup scene, unveiling the second cohort of their SME Empowerment Program with a sharper focus on artificial intelligence. The initiative aims to back high-potential startups building AI-driven solutions, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s broader push towards digital transformation under Vision 2030.

The first edition of the programme set the tone. Fourteen startups went through specialised mentorship and training, together generating $840,000 in revenue growth and securing more than $14 million in funding. For any early-stage founder, those numbers are not small change. They signal that, when done properly, ecosystem support can be spot on.

This time round, the structure is evolving. The new cohort will kick off with a dedicated AI hackathon to uncover promising teams and fresh ideas. Alongside it sits a three-month accelerator programme, and although the tracks are separate, founders can already join the waitlist for the accelerator ahead of formal intake. It may sound like a bit of a faff juggling hackathons and accelerators, but in reality, this dual-track approach gives startups different entry points depending on their stage.

Participants could receive up to $60,000 in grants, alongside mentorship, ecosystem access and practical execution support. In a market where early capital can be the difference between scaling and stalling, that funding cushion definately helps founders breathe a little easier.

Dr Hatem Samman, Executive Director of Government Relations and Public Policy at TikTok in Saudi Arabia, said the company sees startups and SMEs as critical drivers of innovation and economic growth. Through the partnership with Blossom, he noted, the goal is to help entrepreneurs harness AI to build scalable businesses that contribute to the Kingdom’s evolving ecosystem.

Emon Shakoor, CEO of Blossom Accelerator, pointed out that Saudi Arabia is entering what she described as a new era of innovation defined by artificial intelligence. The programme, she said, is designed not only to equip founders with tools and mentorship, but also to strengthen the wider innovation infrastructure that will underpin the country’s digital economy.

Strategic partners are also in the mix. Monsha’at, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises, is backing the initiative as a strategic partner, highlighting the importance of supporting AI-focused SMEs as part of Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals. The Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE), operating under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is also supporting the programme, reinforcing its mandate to accelerate digital innovation and expand AI capabilities across the Kingdom.

From what we observe at Arageek, programmes like this often do more than just inject funding. I’ve seen founders chuffed to bits after landing their first serious grant — not only because of the cash, but because it signals belief. And belief, well… I mean, that can be powerful fuel. On the flip side, accelerators alone are not magic wands; execution still makes or breaks the journey.

That said, the growing emphasis on AI is hardly surprising. Saudi Arabia has been steadily positioning itself as a regional technology hub, and structured support initiatives like this help translate strategy into tangible company-building. I reckon the real test will be how many of these startups can move from promising pilots to sustainable, revenue-generating ventures over the next few years.

For founders eyeing the opportunity, more details about eligibility and timelines are available through Blossom’s dedicated programme page. And for the wider MENA startup community, it is another sign that AI innovation in the Kingdom is no longer just talk — it’s getting organised support behind it.

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