In support of Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision to enhance national food security and empower entrepreneurs in vital sectors, the second edition of the “Sunbolah” accelerator program has officially launched. The program targets agri-food tech startups and spans three months, operating between Riyadh and Paris.
A total of 13 startups from 8 countries were carefully selected from over 130 applications to participate in this year’s cohort.
Mr. Monir bin Fahd Al-Sahli, CEO of the Agricultural Development Fund, welcomed the participating startups at the Fund’s Riyadh headquarters, emphasizing the Fund’s pivotal role as a key enabler of innovative agricultural solutions in Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the Fund’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs through specialized financing programs, notably the Innovative Startups Financing Program.
The “Sunbolah” program provides a comprehensive ecosystem for growth, including intensive training, expert mentorship, technical support, and connections to venture capital funds, investors, and regulatory bodies. Participating startups are also given significant opportunities to expand their operations within the GCC markets and Europe.
The selected startups offer a wide range of innovative solutions covering the entire agri-food value chain, from production and packaging to distribution and smart agriculture technologies. Key participants include:
4Climate (India): Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems that enhance water efficiency and productivity in arid climates.
ANU (USA): NASA-based hydroponic units designed for food production in harsh environments using limited resources.
APOLO Biotech (Argentina): RNA-based technology to protect crops from diseases and climate stress as a sustainable alternative to pesticides.
Arable (Saudi Arabia): Desert-adapted hydroponic farming systems utilizing 80% local materials for cost-effective and rapid deployment.
HORIZOONX (Saudi Arabia): AI-driven platform for food and beverage sector management to improve operational efficiency.
N&E Innovations Pte Ltd (Singapore): ViKANG®️, an antibacterial product made from food waste to safely extend product shelf life naturally.
OpenFarming (UAE): Smart operating system that reduces food waste by 40% and achieves 99% accuracy in demand forecasting.
PoultrySync (Saudi Arabia): Digital platform for poultry supply chain management enhancing efficiency, traceability, and biosecurity.
RyP Labs (USA): Innovative natural labels that slow down the spoilage of fresh products and reduce food loss.
Solena Ag (USA): AI-powered soil data analysis delivering precise agricultural prescriptions with profit-sharing based financing solutions.
Uvera (Saudi Arabia): Chemical-free food preservation technology that extends shelf life within 30 seconds, supported by a smart inventory platform.
Verley (France): Production of dairy proteins using precision fermentation offering sustainable food alternatives.
Plantaform (Canada): Smart home farming system based on “phogponics” technology inspired by NASA for easy fresh vegetable production in residential settings.
The “Sunbolah” accelerator represents a strategic pillar in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position itself as a regional hub for agricultural innovation. This aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to drive digital transformation, develop priority sectors, ensure food security, and promote sustainable resource management.
By combining financing, empowerment, and international partnerships, the program fosters a dynamic environment that enables local and international entrepreneurs to develop world-class, practical solutions to address the challenges facing the agri-food sector.
