Sanabil Founder University cohort
Cohort 2 — October 2026

Turn your startup idea into a reality.

A 12-week pre-accelerator by Sanabil Investments and LAUNCH helping entrepreneurs build, launch, and scale MENA-based startups. Remote — with select in-person sessions in Riyadh.

Apply Now Cohort 1 — GraduatedCohort 2 — Fall 2026

What alumni are saying

Abderrahmane El Fehli
After participating in six different startup programs across Africa and Europe, it wasn't until I joined this program that I truly understood how a startup is supposed to function. It moves past the theory and gets straight to the core of what it takes to build a scalable, successful company.
Abderrahmane El Fehli
Novate
01About

From an idea to a company
ready for the region.

01

Kickoff

Kick off is in person in Riyadh with intensive workshops covering go-to-market strategy, business models, and the realities of building in MENA. Meet your cohort, mentors, and the LAUNCH team.

02

Online Sessions

Weekly 90-minute live sessions and pod mentoring. Move through entrepreneurial mindset, MVP development, validation, TAM analysis, and competitive positioning.

03

Bonus Days

Select in-person sessions in Riyadh, including mentoring sessions, mid-cohort check-in, and graduation.

What's included with your cohort seat.

A full curriculum, expert mentors, and a network that compounds long after your 12 weeks end.

24
Live sessions
32
Lessons
25h
Video resources
Community
02Curriculum

Twelve weeks.

A pacing guide built by operators. Each week stacks on the last — from first principles to a pitch deck investors take seriously.

01Week

Foundational Knowledge

02Week

Being a Founder

03Week

Building an MVP

04Week

Business Model

05Week

Customer Profiles

06Week

Validation Research

07Week

Metrics & TAM

08Week

Iterating on MVP

09Week

User Feedback

10Week

Competitive Matrix

11Week

Perfecting the Pitch

12Week

Accelerator Prep

03Outcomes

What you'll accomplish.

  1. 01Build and iterate your MVP
  2. 02Identify your target customers and business model
  3. 03Onboard users; employ marketing and sales strategies
  4. 04Sharpen your pitch; identify sources of funding
  5. 05Build alongside peers who challenge and support you
04Format

How the program runs.

Monday live sessions

  • 90 minutes — attendance required
  • Presentations from industry experts
  • Founder Q&A with the LAUNCH team and speakers

Wednesday pods

  • 90 minutes — attendance required
  • Deep dives with LAUNCH mentors and fellow founders
  • Practice pitches and get candid feedback

Structured learning

  • Step-by-step content pacing guide
  • 5–10 hours of videos and reading each week
  • Frameworks you can reuse for every product you ship

Community

  • Collaborate with cohort members across MENA
  • In-person meetups and opportunities in Riyadh
  • Knowledge sharing, intros, and live Q&A
06Apply

Apply today.

Applications are open for Cohort 2.

Tuition
$500
1,875 SAR
We value commitment.

Join every live session through the 12 weeks and we'll refund your full tuition.