The Start Smart Investment Forum 2026 brought together more than 100 startups and over 100 investors in Riyadh, aiming to connect entrepreneurs with funding opportunities and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s deep-tech ecosystem.
Organized by Community Jameel Saudi Arabia in strategic partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the forum was held at The Garage innovation hub and accelerator, attracting more than 1,000 visitors.
The event featured 107 startups specializing in deep technology, participation from seven key ecosystem stakeholders, over 24 speakers from inside and outside the Kingdom, and the signing of 12 cooperation agreements.
Among attendees were President of KACST Dr. Muneer bin Mahmoud Al-Dasouqi, CEO of the Saudi Venture Capital Company Dr. Nabil Koshak, and KACST Senior Vice President for Innovation Oases Dr. Khaled Al-Dakkan, alongside leaders from Community Jameel and Abdul Latif Jameel.
The forum focused on high-growth deep-tech sectors supporting Saudi Arabia’s transition to a knowledge-based economy, including artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, digital health, smart cities, and infrastructure.
The initiative aligns with national priorities in digital transformation and innovation, as well as efforts to attract global investment and accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies.
Over two days, the forum hosted panel discussions, expert sessions, and direct meetings between investors and startup founders, aimed at facilitating partnerships and unlocking funding opportunities.
Entrepreneurship Relations Manager at Abdul Latif Jameel United Finance Hussain Jameel said the forum represents a strategic platform supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and advanced technologies.
He added that it enables entrepreneurs to connect with smart capital and expand their businesses while contributing to economic growth.
Al-Dakkan said KACST’s participation reflects its commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and fostering an attractive investment environment.
During the forum, participating entities also announced new initiatives, including the launch of the second edition of the Jameel Deep Tech Initiative, which focuses on transforming research outputs into successful startups in sectors such as health, energy, and environment.
The first edition in 2025 saw three research teams win prizes totaling SR2.25 million.
Source: Saudi Gazette