Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced the launch of Sanabil Founder University by LAUNCH, in partnership with early-stage investor Jason Calacanis‘ firm LAUNCH. The program aims to support early-stage founders around the world in building scalable startups.
The 12-week initiative reflects Sanabil’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and beyond, providing tools, mentorship, and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs at the start of their journey.
Core sessions will be held in Riyadh, combining virtual and in-person formats, and welcoming participants globally. The curriculum covers key startup foundations, including product-market fit, equity structuring, customer acquisition, product design, and fundraising.
A Sanabil spokesperson commented:
“We are proud to bring Founder University to Riyadh as part of our efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem, enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs shaping the global economy.”
Jason Calacanis added:
“There’s a huge opportunity for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to build the most impactful startups of 2030 and beyond, starting with this program.”
The program is open to early-stage founders—from those with just an idea and a co-founder, to those with a working MVP or initial users. While no funding is guaranteed, top-performing participants may get exposure to leading investors, and could be considered for future investments by LAUNCH or other partners during or after the program.
