Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is doubling down on its mission to nurture a thriving tourism startup ecosystem. Through its non-financial support arm, TDF Grow, the Fund has announced the launch of three powerful programs designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs and drive innovation across the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
These initiatives aim to provide the right mix of mentorship, training, technical assistance, and investor connectivityensuring that aspiring founders have every tool they need to succeed.
What’s New?
TDF’s new lineup includes:
- ✅ Grow Tourism Incubator
- ✅ Tourism Hackathons & Bootcamps
- ✅ Grow Tourism Accelerator
All three programs aim to address different stages of startup growth from ideation to scale-upunder the broader umbrella of TDF Grow, the Fund’s platform for non-financial enablement.
According to TDF CEO Qusai bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri, “We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into impactful ventures. Our programs are built to overcome real-world challenges and accelerate business success at every stage.”
Program Highlights
1. Grow Tourism Incubator
This 10-month program is designed for early-stage tourism startups. It provides:
- ✅ Shared workspaces
- ✅ Legal, marketing, and logistical support
- ✅ Technical and admin services
- ✅ Workshops and hands-on training
- ✅ Mentoring from tourism industry experts
Delivered both online and in person, the incubator offers a fully immersive environment to turn startup ideas into viable businesses.
2. Tourism Hackathons & Bootcamps
Focusing on three key regionsAsir, Al-Ahsa, and Al Madinah Al Munawwarahthis 5-month program targets aspiring entrepreneurs looking to solve regional tourism challenges. It offers:
- ✅ Hackathons for idea generation
- ✅ Bootcamps to build real prototypes
- ✅ Mentorship and technical guidance
- ✅ Investor and ecosystem access
By working closely with local talent, this initiative aims to spark community-driven innovation and unlock untapped tourism potential in emerging destinations.
3. Grow Tourism Accelerator
Now launching a new edition, this three-month program is tailored for startups ready to scale. It builds on the success of previous cohorts and focuses on:
- ✅ Business model refinement
- ✅ Growth strategy development
- ✅ Investor matchmaking
- ✅ Sector-specific scaling support
This accelerator is ideal for startups that already have traction and are looking to expand within the Kingdom’s growing tourism industry.
Building a Sustainable Ecosystem
These programs form a critical part of TDF’s broader vision: to create a vibrant, sustainable, and investor-connected tourism ecosystem. By offering hands-on support and regional opportunities, the Fund is positioning Saudi Arabia as a launchpad for the next generation of tourism innovators.
Applications for all three programs are now open, giving tourism entrepreneurs a golden opportunity to take their ideas to the next level.