Saudi innovation authorities announced on June 11, 2026, the selection of 10 startups for the DISAI 2026 program after attracting more than 124 applications from across the kingdom. The total nearly doubled entries for the inaugural 2025 cohort, according to details released by the organizers. The program, formally known as Design in Saudi Arabia with AI, is backed by Qualcomm, Aramco through its Saudi Accelerated Innovation Lab, the Research, Development and Innovation Authority and HUMAIN.
The initiative supplies chosen deep-tech ventures with structured assistance that extends from early concept stages to full commercial rollout. Selected participants receive dedicated technical mentorship, specialized intellectual property guidance, and direct access to state-of-the-art AI platforms together with supporting infrastructure. Organizers reported that the cohort concentrates on edge-AI technologies engineered for privacy preservation and real-time responsiveness.
Seven of the 10 accepted startups are Saudi-founded, program data published with the announcement shows. Their projects span industrial AI deployments, healthcare diagnostic tools, automation systems for circular economy processes and additional smart technology applications. The sharp rise in submissions this year points to expanding activity in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and advanced wireless domains within the national startup landscape.
Abdullah Al-Zahrani shared the selection news on X, where the original announcement first circulated widely. The collaborative model uniting global semiconductor expertise from Qualcomm with Aramco’s innovation lab, national research oversight from RDIA and AI specialization from HUMAIN creates an integrated development pathway. This marks the program’s second edition following its 2025 launch.
Saudi officials have positioned such initiatives at the core of Vision 2030 efforts to cultivate a knowledge-based economy driven by local entrepreneurship. The Research, Development and Innovation Authority has emphasized building capabilities that convert research outputs into deployable solutions across priority sectors. Organizers indicated the 2026 cohort will now enter an intensive phase focused on scaling their respective technologies.
The announcement further noted that participating startups will benefit from tailored strategies to protect their intellectual assets during commercialization. Comparable deep-tech programs in the kingdom have registered similar growth trajectories in applicant volumes over recent cycles. Additional information on individual participants remains available through official statements issued by the partner organizations.
