500 Global, Sanabil back eight MENA startups in latest accelerator cohort
What's the deal? 500 Global and SanabilDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → Investments have named the eleventh batch of the Sanabil Accelerator, selecting eight early-stage startups from more than 690 applications. The hybrid program ran from April 5 to July 1, 2026, culminating in a Demo Day.
Who's in? The cohort spans AI, fintech, healthcare diagnostics, fraud detection, insurtech, and content monetisation. Companies include CarevisionDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, an AI cardiometabolic risk scanner; IBEADealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a B2B payments platform; and Raid AIDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a deepfake detection tool.
Why now? The program shifted its first two phases fully remote, citing ongoing uncertainty across the Middle East. Organisers said the hybrid format lets founders build through changing market conditions.
Sanabil is a wholly owned company of the Public Investment FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth vehicle. This cohort skews toward AI-enabled and infrastructure companies tackling regional challenges.
What they're saying: "Batch 11 reflects the rising caliber and ambition of founders building from the region today," said Amal Dokhan, managing partner at 500 Global MENA. A Sanabil spokesperson said the group backs founders "building solutions in sectors that matter most to long-term economic resilience and growth."
The signal: With PIF-backed capital funnelling into AI and fintech founders, Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a hub for MENA's next generation of startups. Applications for the next cohort are now open.
Read more: Incubees
