KAUST hosts TAQADAM startup accelerator showcase in partnership with SABB

KAUST hosts TAQADAM startup accelerator showcase in partnership with SABB

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is hosting the TAQADAM Startup Accelerator showcase where graduates from the program's 2020 cohort will be showcasing their ventures at a virtual event to be held on March 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Through three-minute pitches, the graduates will be presenting virtually to a network of top-tier local and international investors and judges. Those interested in attending the showcase are encouraged to register at https://kaust.link/taqadam-showcase2021.The six-month-long startup accelerator program, which is based at KAUST and sponsored by Saudi British Bank (SABB), aims to develop early-stage entrepreneurs and their concepts into new, high-potential startups. The theme of this year's showcase, "Creativity Crystallized“, reflects the intense pressure entrepreneurs are facing amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Their ingenuity and creativity in responding to the crisis highlight just how innovative this year's cohort is.The 2020 TAQADAM Startup Accelerator cohort includes 76 founders, representing 37 startup finalists, from diverse industries, including eCommerce, MedTech, EdTech and FinTech. The accepted teams received SR150,000 in zero-equity grant-funding. The competition was fierce for this cohort as more than 561 startups applied with only 59 shortlisted. Of those, 37 top startups graduated from the program.Teams usually have access to co-working