Program overview

Design in Saudi Arabia with AI (DISAI), صمم في السعودية بالذكاء الاصطناعي, is an innovative accelerator program aimed at empowering startups in AI, IoT, and wireless technologies. This initiative supports early-stage and deep-technology startups, guiding them from the design phase through commercialization, with an emphasis on patent protection. This initiative focuses on nurturing early-stage startups for industrial applications, driving innovation and digital transformation in the Kingdom and the broader region.

Qualcomm, through its subsidiary Qualcomm Technologies International, Inc., Aramco, through its subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company, B.V., and Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) announced the official launch of the Design in Saudi Arabia with AI (DISAI) program at LEAP 2025.

DISAI empowers AI and IoT startups in Saudi Arabia with technical and business support, IP training, and industry connections, leveraging Qualcomm Technologies to drive innovation and protect intellectual property. Shortlisted startups will receive access to a hardware development platform, a participation stipend of SAR 40,000 as well as reimbursement up to SAR 20,000 for patent applications.

Program Benefits:

  1. Startup cohort: Selection of up to 10 startups for the 2026 incubation program
  2. Mentorship: 1:1 mentorship with Qualcomm and Aramco subject matter experts 
  3. Platforms: Startups will receive access to a hardware development platform based on Qualcomm SoCs, tailored to their specific use case, which may include edge-AI enabled IoT platforms (such as Arduino™ and Industrial AI Gateway platforms powered by Qualcomm Dragonwing™ processors), AI-PCs utilizing Qualcomm Snapdragon™ X-Elite processors, On-Prem AI Appliances, and Cloud AI Inference solutions.
  4. Masterclasses: Technology training by respected engineers in topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) including AI-Hub, Internet of Things (IoT), Extended Reality (XR), Compute (AI-PC), 5G, and Intellectual Property Law, and more.
  5. Stipends: The shortlisted startups will receive SAR 40,000 upon successful completion of the program.
  6. Patent filing incentives: The shortlisted startups who are eligible for the patent incentive fund will receive a reimbursement up to SAR 20,000 for filing one full utility patent application with the Saudi Authority of Intellectual Property (SAIP), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), or Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). 
  7. Visibility and Industry connections: The startups will be exposed to industry leaders, system integrators, and investors. The finale will be announced at an industry event for better visibility for the startups and their future business success.  

 

Program Timeline

  • Application Phase (December 9th, 2025, to March 10th, 2026): Online submission of Product/Design ideas.
  • Shortlist Announcement (April 2026): Up to 10 companies will be selected through a jury selection process virtually and will be notified.
  • Incubation Phase (April 2026 to November 2026): Incubation of shortlisted companies. During this phase, startups have access to Qualcomm’s technical expertise, development kits, workshops, and mentorship. A mid-term review will be conducted within three months into the incubation period and the startups will be evaluated on their progress. 
  • Finale (November or December 2026): All shortlisted startups will participate in a virtual finale and demonstrate their working prototypes to an external audience comprised of executives from Qualcomm and Aramco, investors, and government officials and representatives. 

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