# Startup incubators and accelerators headquartered in the Middle East
Tamtam tracks 25 startup incubators and accelerators headquartered in the Middle East. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Chalhoub Group, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) and Dokuz Eylul University. Their median headcount is 354. Half of them were founded in 2011 or later. The most common headquarters are Dubai (7), Istanbul (3) and Riyadh (2).
This selection of organizations in the Middle East includes a mix of academic institutions, government-affiliated bodies, and non-profit organizations, alongside some private sector entities. The largest organizations by employee count are Chalhoub Group, a luxury retail group, KAUST and Dokuz Eylul University, both higher education institutions, and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), which provides research services.
Several organizations focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, such as FasterCapital, an online incubator and accelerator, and Microsoft for Startups UAE, which supports founders. A notable pattern is the concentration of headquarters in Dubai, which hosts DIFC, Dubai Future Foundation, and Microsoft for Startups UAE, among others.
🌍 Middle East · 25 companies · Updated Nov 12, 2026
| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Chalhoub Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/chalhoub-group) (chalhoubgroup.com)
Luxury retail group specializing in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and omnichannel customer experiences. | Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 7,794 | 1955 |
| 2 | [KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/kaust-king-abdullah-university-of-science-and-technology) (kaust.edu.sa)
It is a graduate-level research university focused on interdisciplinary research, education, and innovation in science and technology for global challenges. | Higher Education | 🇸🇦 Thuwal | 6,144 | 2009 |
| 3 | [Dokuz Eylul University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/dokuz-eylul-university) (deu.edu.tr)
A leading higher education institution with diverse faculties, institutes, colleges, hospitals, research centers, technopark, technology transfer office, and incubation center | Higher Education | 🇹🇷 Alsancak | 5,814 | 1982 |
| 4 | [King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/king-abdulaziz-city-for-science-and-technology-kacst) (kacst.gov.sa)
Support national research and innovation strategies, provide technological services, conduct R&D in key sectors, and foster industrial development. | Research Services | 🇸🇦 Riyadh | 2,646 | 1977 |
| 5 | [Türkiye Teknoloji Takımı Vakfı](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/turkiye-teknoloji-tak-m-vakf) (t3vakfi.org)
We are a group of young entrepreneurs and professionals who believe in advancing Turkey's technology sector for a better world | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 2,073 | 2016 |
| 6 | [DIFC](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/difc) (difc.com)
Advanced financial centre connecting MEASA markets with global economies, offering regulation, innovation, FinTech, and a vibrant business lifestyle. | Financial Services | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 1,323 | 2004 |
| 7 | [FasterCapital](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/fastercapital) (fastercapital.com)
Online incubator and accelerator helping startups worldwide with technical and business development in exchange for equity Industry and stage agnostic investment approach | Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 888 | 2015 |
| 8 | [Crown Prince Foundation](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/crown-prince-foundation) (cpf.jo)
A Jordanian organization focused on empowering young people through leadership and entrepreneurship programs to build a brighter future for the country | Non-profit Organizations | 🇯🇴 Amman | 482 | 2015 |
| 9 | [Microsoft for Startups UAE](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/microsoft-for-startups-uae) (startups.microsoft.com)
A digital ecosystem providing free access to technology, coaching, and support for founders at any stage of development to accelerate their startup journey | IT Services and IT Consulting | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 421 | 2020 |
| 10 | [RUWWAD AL IRAQ رواد العراق](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ruwwad-al-iraq) (ruwwadaliraq.com)
An organization supported by INNOVEST ME focused on fostering the Iraqi entrepreneurial community through incubation, acceleration, and financial support programs | Business Consulting and Services | 🇮🇶 Baghdad | 415 | 2018 |
| 11 | [DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/dubai-future-foundation) (dubaifuture.ae)
Promoting innovation and technological development to position Dubai as a global leader and pioneer in future advancements. | Government Administration | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 370 | 2017 |
| 12 | [Bnai Zion– Medical center & Innovation Authority at Bnai Zion](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bnai-zion-medical-center-and-innovation-authority-at-bnai-zion) (gov.il)
Leading medical facility in Haifa and northern Israel since 1922, providing top-rated medical services, research, and educational programs with emphasis on patient care and professionalism | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇮🇱 Haifa | 354 | 1922 |
| 13 | [The Center for Educational Technology (CET)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/the-center-for-educational-technology-cet) (cet.ac.il)
An NGO focused on advancing education in Israel by providing cutting-edge learning environments, technology, and pedagogy for students and educators | Education Administration Programs | 🇮🇱 Tel Aviv | 354 | 1971 |
| 14 | [Young Guru Academy (YGA)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/young-guru-academy-yga) (yga.org.tr)
A non-profit organization in Turkey developing youth through social innovations like smart canes, science kits, heritage preservation, solar energy, and tech education for women | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Maslak | 319 | 2000 |
| 15 | [National Agricultural Research Center - NARC المركز الوطني للبحوث الزراعية](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/national-agricultural-research-center-narc) (narc.gov.jo)
Agricultural research center increasing plant & animal production sustainably by investing in local and adopted methods for ecological balance and development | Research Services | 🇯🇴 Baq'a | 318 | 1958 |
| 16 | [İTÜ Çekirdek](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/itu-cekirdek) (itucekirdek.com)
This fully integrated incubator combines science, technology, and design to support entrepreneurs and startups with innovative, technology-based ideas, guiding them from ideation to commercialization. | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 312 | 2011 |
| 17 | [BNB Chain](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bnb-chain) (bnbchain.org)
Develops blockchain infrastructure and tools for developers and enterprises, supporting decentralized, secure, and scalable solutions on BNB Chain. | Blockchain Services | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 295 | |
| 18 | [Teknopark İstanbul A.Ş.](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/teknopark-istanbul) (teknoparkistanbul.com.tr)
Technology development zone fostering R&D in defense, aerospace, maritime, electronics, energy, health sciences, and industrial software with over 300 companies. | Defense and Space Manufacturing | 🇹🇷 Istanbul | 247 | 2010 |
| 19 | [Bilişim Vadisi](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bilisim-vadisi) (bilisimvadisi.com.tr)
Operating Türkiye's largest technology development zone, fostering innovation, R&D, and entrepreneurship by providing infrastructure and support for tech companies and startups. | IT Services and IT Consulting | 🇹🇷 Gebze | 237 | 2019 |
| 20 | [OSTİM Organize Sanayi Bölge Müdürlüğü](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ostim-organize-sanayi-bolge-mudurlugu) (ostim.org.tr)
An industrial zone in Ankara supporting SMEs with a wide range of services, infrastructure, and resources for growth and development | Non-profit Organizations | 🇹🇷 Ankara | 197 | 1967 |
| 21 | [Çanakkale Teknoloji Geliştirme Bölgesi A.Ş.](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/canakkale-teknoloji-gelistirme-bolgesi-a-s) (canakkaleteknopark.com.tr)
The company operates a technology development zone encompassing various areas for R&D investment, social facilities, offices, administrative units, and incubation centers | Executive Offices | 🇹🇷 Çanakkale | 14 | 2012 |
| 22 | [3Ventures Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/3ventures-group) (3ventures.co)
A team of venture experts invest in and accelerate disruptive startups and founders across Europe and the Middle East | Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals | 🇸🇦 Riyadh | 12 | 2020 |
| 23 | [SmartESA](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/smartesa) (smart-esa.com)
An accelerator program helping startups succeed by providing management tools, skills, and connections to transform creators into entrepreneurs and great managers | Professional Training and Coaching | 🇱🇧 Beirut | 11 | 2017 |
| 24 | [SAND](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/sand) (sand.business)
A co-working space fostering creativity, supporting quality, integrity, and community empowerment to help entrepreneurs achieve their goals through innovation and collaboration | Business Consulting and Services | 🇸🇦 Buraidah | 10 | |
| 25 | [Startup Origin Ventures](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/startup-origin-ventures) (startuporigin.com)
A space for creative entrepreneurs to launch and grow startups, offering funding, mentoring, networking, and technical support from idea to market | Software Development | 🇦🇪 Dubai | 2 | 2025 |
## How this list is built
Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.
## More company lists in the Middle East
- [The largest companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/largest-companies-in-the-middle-east) (7,218)
- [Multinational companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-in-the-middle-east) (1,866)
- [Manufacturers in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/manufacturers-in-the-middle-east) (1,092)
- [Retail chains in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-chains-in-the-middle-east) (803)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-in-the-middle-east) (785)
- [Companies with a mobile app in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/companies-with-mobile-app-in-the-middle-east) (724)
- [Critical infrastructure operators in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/critical-infrastructure-operators-in-the-middle-east) (718)
- [Corporate groups and holding companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/holding-companies-in-the-middle-east) (604)
- [Education providers in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/education-companies-in-the-middle-east) (533)
- [Financial services firms in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-firms-in-the-middle-east) (454)
- [Public sector organisations in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/public-sector-organisations-in-the-middle-east) (442)
- [IT Services and IT Consulting companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-and-it-consulting-companies-in-the-middle-east) (381)
- [Hardware manufacturers in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hardware-companies-in-the-middle-east) (353)
- [Publicly traded companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/publicly-traded-companies-in-the-middle-east) (339)
- [Hotel and hospitality groups in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-in-the-middle-east) (335)
- [Energy companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/energy-companies-in-the-middle-east) (327)
- [Food and beverage companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/food-and-beverage-companies-in-the-middle-east) (327)
- [E-commerce companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ecommerce-companies-in-the-middle-east) (321)
- [IT services companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-companies-in-the-middle-east) (319)
- [Distributors and wholesalers in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/distributors-and-wholesalers-in-the-middle-east) (316)
- [Higher Education companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/higher-education-companies-in-the-middle-east) (297)
- [Consumer goods companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/consumer-goods-companies-in-the-middle-east) (296)
- [Food and Beverage Services companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/food-and-beverage-services-companies-in-the-middle-east) (292)
- [Financial Services companies in the Middle East](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-companies-in-the-middle-east) (283)
## The same list elsewhere
- [Startup incubators and accelerators in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/incubators-and-accelerators-in-the-world) (1,131)
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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/incubators-and-accelerators-in-the-middle-east