16-week in-person accelerator supporting early–stage gaming startups
Milestone-driven structured program with support across product, market, and execution.
Access to capital, experienced operators, and industry experts.
Designed for startups looking to enter and grow within the Saudi gaming market.
Up to $150K in cash and $150K in strategic in‑kind support.
Expert-led sessions, 1:1 guidance, and hands-on operational support from global industry experts.
Access to a global network of investors, publishers, and gaming experts.
Legal, HR, and marketing support; access to gaming‑specific tools.
A structured selection process for high‑potential gaming startups, including application submission, review, and approval.
A 2‑week virtual phase for skill‑building and assessment.
Top-performing startups during the Bootcamp will be selected to advance for a 14‑week in‑person program focused on scaling and growth.
By the end of the program, where startups showcase their progress to investors, publishers, and key stakeholders through live presentations and post‑event promotion.
Graduates receive access to mentorship, industry networks, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
/ Gaming startups with a working product or playable build
/ Founders ready to commit full‑time to execution and growth
/ International startups open to relocating to Saudi Arabia
/ Saudi gaming companies with a valid Commercial Registration (CR)
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud visited the program and experienced cohort games
By capitalising program delivery costs at the fund level, the accelerator is able to offer deeper, hands-on support without compromising execution focus.
The program is delivered through structured phases guided by gaming-specific playbooks and clear milestones, ensuring consistent execution and outcome‑driven progress.
This approach is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy under Vision 2030, supporting ecosystem development and market readiness.
Applications received from 74+ countries
Global experts engaged as mentors
Startups selected, each receiving $300,000 in cash and in‑kind support
Investors, partners, and government representatives attended Demo Day
"Coming into the program, we had a prototype idea, but it really turned into a lightbulb moment. We saw a better opportunity, less risk, and a much clearer direction."
“There are other HTML or AI-based game websites, but ours is going to be heavily curated. Within a year or two, we see ourselves competing with the bigger players.”
“They helped us understand how to talk to VCs and publishers and how to fit what we’re presenting to the right audience.”
“Before, we used to spend six months to a year developing a single product, changing this or that, trying to get it perfect. Now we realize that might not be the best approach. There’s a smarter, less risky way to get great products out faster.”
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
August-November
November 2026
June 2026
Program Duration:
16 weeks
The Exel Gaming Accelerator is a 16-week program designed to support early-stage gaming startups. It focuses on mentorship, funding, and strategic guidance to help startups refine their products, scale their businesses, and prepare for market success. The program is open to startups in game development and gaming technology.
The program includes the following key stages:
/ Application Phase: Startups are selected based on eligibility. Deadline for applications is 16 February 2025.
/ Virtual Bootcamp (2 Weeks): Up to 50 companies participate in mentorship and workshops. Starts 12 March 2025.
/ Acceleration Phase (14 Weeks): 10-15 companies advance to the in-person program in Riyadh. Starts early May 2025.
/ Demo Day: Companies present their progress to investors, publishers, and partners.
/ Post Program Support: Graduates receive access to mentorship, access to industry networks, partnerships, and support to get funding from investors and publishers.
We welcome early-stage startups in game development or gaming technology. To be eligible, your team must:
/ Have a working vertical slice or prototype of your game or product.
/ Possess relevant experience in game development or similar fields.
/ Be proficient in English to fully engage in mentorship and workshops.
/ Local startups must be legally incorporated in Saudi Arabia.
/ International startups must be prepared to relocate to Saudi Arabia, with soft-landing support provided by the program.
/ Founders must commit to attending the full accelerator program in Riyadh.
Applications are assessed based on:
/ Innovation: Uniqueness of the game, product, or idea.
/ Team Strength: Capabilities and experience of the founding team.
/ Market Potential: Size and scalability of the target market.
/ Traction: Evidence of user engagement or development progress.
All selected startups receive investments of up to $150k in cash at the start of the program and $150k in in-kind contributions, such as access to mentors, workshops, corporate resources (HR, Finance, Legal, etc.), office space, government relations support, and other ad-hoc services.
Yes, startups may receive follow-on investment from the fund based on their progress during the program and investor interest after the demo day.
Startups benefit from weekly mentorship by experts in game monetization, commercialization, go-to-market strategies, development, production, and scaling. Each startup also works closely with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) who provides guidance throughout the program and ongoing support after it concludes.
Selected startups are expected to:
/ Attend all workshops, mentor meetings, and activities.
/ Work closely with their assigned EIR.
/ Achieve milestones related to product development, user acquisition, and business growth.
/ Present progress at Demo Day.
/ Be physically present in Riyadh for the 14-week acceleration phase.
Yes, the founding team is required to be physically present in Riyadh during the 14-week acceleration phase, and relocate the company's headquarter to the Kingdom.
After completing the accelerator, startups receive:
/ Continued mentorship from their EIR.
/ Access to investor networks and potential funding opportunities.
/ Ongoing support from the Exel Gaming Accelerator network, including connections to publishers, distributors, and gaming influencers.
If you have any other questions about the accelerator, feel free to email our team at info@exelbymerak.com. We’re happy to help and look forward to hearing from you!
