ITHCA Group — the know-how funding arm of the Oman Funding Authority (OIA) — has introduced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the launch of an accelerator programme and a enterprise funding initiative aimed toward strengthening Omani–Saudi know-how cooperation.
First to be unveiled was ‘Bawabat’, an accelerator designed to allow Omani know-how startups to enter and scale throughout the Saudi market. The accelerator is the results of a collaboration between ITHCA Group, Omani know-how firm al Jabr, and the Nationwide Expertise Improvement Programme (NTDP) within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The six-month programme goals to attach Omani startups with traders whereas supporting their entry into the Saudi market. Taking part startups are eligible to obtain unique funding of as much as USD 100,000 from the OTF SCALE Fund.
Along with funding, the accelerator affords enterprise growth assist, cross-border relationship constructing, and hands-on assist in localisation, product testing, and validating market readiness.
Mohammed bin Salem al Wahibi, Chief Government Officer of al Jabr Firm, stated: “Bawabat is just not merely a assist programme, however a sensible bridge and an built-in pathway that shortens the journey for Omani startups getting into the Saudi market in a structured and well-studied method.”
He added: “True enlargement is achieved by means of trusted cross-border relationships, on-the-ground validation of product readiness, and operational and funding partnerships constructed on clear market wants and sound enterprise fashions.”
Ibrahim Nimas, Chief Government Officer of the Nationwide Expertise Improvement Programme (NTDP), highlighted the shared regional imaginative and prescient behind the initiative. “Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, alongside different GCC nations, share a transparent imaginative and prescient to assist know-how entrepreneurship and strengthen startup development throughout the area,” he stated.
“Via this collaboration, Omani and Saudi corporations will be capable to enter new regional markets, join with traders and companions, and seize development alternatives throughout the regional ecosystem,” he added.
Furthermore, ITHCA Group introduced the signing of an funding settlement with Imaginative and prescient Ventures, a Saudi Arabia-based enterprise capital fund recognised for its energetic position in financing early-stage know-how startups throughout the area.
The settlement was signed by Eng. Mentioned bin Abdullah al Mandhari, Chief Government Officer of ITHCA Group, and Qais al Issa, Co-founder and Chief Government Officer of Imaginative and prescient Ventures.
“We’re happy with this partnership with ITHCA Group, which represents a strategic step in supporting Omani know-how corporations and linking them to the regional funding ecosystem,” Al Issa stated.
“Via this collaboration, we sit up for accelerating development pathways and opening high-quality funding and partnership alternatives that translate into sustainable financial influence.”
Throughout the occasion, ITHCA Group additionally introduced the rebranding of the ‘Thought Stage’ fund to ‘OTF SCALE.’ Managed by ITHCA Group in partnership with al Jabr Firm, the fund has accomplished 36 investments since its institution, with 11 per cent of portfolio corporations securing follow-on funding inside a interval of not more than 15 months.
Maha bint Mohammed al Balushi, Director Basic of Enterprise Capital Funds Administration at ITHCA Group, stated: “The OTF SCALE model combines the legacy of the Oman Expertise Fund with a forward-looking imaginative and prescient targeted on scale and influence.”
She added: “It displays our mission of elevating concepts, empowering entrepreneurs, and accelerating challenge development towards tangible financial and regional influence.”
OTF SCALE focuses on supporting founders on the earliest levels of firm formation, prioritising investments in synthetic intelligence, monetary know-how, software program, and digital companies, in keeping with high-growth sectors shaping the long run digital financial system.
Commenting on the bulletins, Eng. Mentioned bin Abdullah al Mandhari, Chief Government Officer of ITHCA Group, stated: “The initiatives introduced at this time characterize a qualitative leap in supporting innovation and know-how within the Sultanate of Oman. They open wider horizons for entrepreneurs to enter regional markets with energy and confidence, notably the Saudi market.”
