News highlights
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority “Monsha’at,” launched on Sunday, 7 September 2025, the University Startup Growth Accelerator, a program dedicated to empowering tech-based university startup projects and transforming them into scalable, sustainable entrepreneurial ventures. The accelerator targets university students, faculty members, and staff, both female and male, who own emerging startups with a commercial registration or freelance certificate. The program aims to strengthen the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, develop entrepreneurial skills, and expand professional and investment networks. The multi-stage program offers an integrated package of support, including: specialized training workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions with local and international experts, financial and service-based grants, opportunities for investor matchmaking and business networking, and a 12-month pathway toward investment and growth. The program also allows the university to invest in the top graduating startups, strengthening their sustainability and competitiveness in the market. Dr. Maram Sabri, Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, stated: “The program provides a comprehensive environment that combines mentorship, financial and service support, and strong investment networks, thereby enhancing startup success and sustainability.” She emphasized that the university aims to become a model for higher-education entrepreneurship and a catalyst for transforming research and innovations into marketable products, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and its emphasis on the knowledge economy and women’s empowerment. The accelerator aligns with the university’s 2025 strategic plan, supporting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship while strengthening its standing as a leading educational and research institution that attracts entrepreneurial talent and investment opportunities nationwide.
