The KFUPM Entrepreneurship Institute (EI) started out in 2011 as a business incubator. In 2014 it was recognized as an institute, bringing together three main centers for entrepreneurial Education, Incubation, and Studies.

EI has been renowned as a top-tier institute in entrepreneurship for the past ten years. Through its many initiatives, programs and services, more than 13% of its incubated startups have reached the market. They have generated sales in the millions of SAR, while providing hundreds of full-time and part-time jobs. In addition, we have produced over 2000 EI graduates, who are well-known for their entrepreneurial skills and leadership competencies, and for contributing to their organizations as great enterprise thinkers and innovators.

The EI has managed to raise funding of over SAR 14MM to support it initiatives and operations. These funds are generous donations and sponsorship from individuals and large cooperates such as SABIC, THIQAH and Saudi Aramco.

EI has been recognized as the leading entrepreneurial institute in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a number of notable accolades:

• Recognized by Monshaa’t in 2017 as the best University in the Kingdom that Supports Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Biban Forum & Exhibition.
• Ranked number 1 in the Saudi University Entrepreneurship maturity and interaction in a report by Oceanx-Riyadh, an independent consultant, about Saudi Universities Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, March 2020.
• Ranked the top licensed business incubator in the Kingdom according to Monshaa’t’s Incubators Platforms Assessment for the year 2020, which was performed by PwC. In terms of all KSA licensed Business Incubators, the incubators performance overview of 2020, which was based on three main dimensions (percentile, best practice and maturity), indicated the following key observations:
  • Incubators Percentile: KFUPM EI scores highly across all assessed categories indicating the 100th percentile and ranks as the top program in KSA, well above the average.
  • Incubators Best Practice: KFUPM EI demonstrates the highest performance amongst incubators in KSA, well above the average which is 3.12.
  • Incubators Maturity: KFUPM EI is the highest scoring incubator in KSA. Although the platform is relatively new, the scores demonstrate an incubator that is fully mature, highly involved, has significant interventions applied over the long term and abilities to join the ranks of global role models with enabling incentives.

We are here to support all university students, faculty and entrepreneurs, regardless of their academic level or specializations. Our work involves:

• Encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset across the university.
• Equipping students, researchers, and faculty with the tools to become entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs.
• Helping entrepreneurs establish startups to diversify the economy and create jobs.
• Building a culture of mentorship.
• Helping students establishing their own startup.

Our work also supports the entrepreneurial ambitions of the national strategic plan, Vision 2030. By promoting entrepreneurship and supporting the creation of high-value businesses, we aim to make an important contribution to diversifying the country’s business landscape and transforming the national economy.

To become the hub to nurture & harness the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial energy & values to contribute to its socioeconomic development.

To foster an entrepreneurial mindset through education, training, and research, and provide logistical and/or financial support for the formation and growth of high-potential start-ups in KSA.

In support of our Vision and Mission, our objectives are to:

• Create the leading Entrepreneurship Institute (EI) in the region.
• Build a network of alumni, business leaders and corporations that support the EI and our entrepreneurial Vision.
• Establish the most respected mentoring program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Engage our students and faculty in adopting an entrepreneurial mindset to solve problems.
• Teach the critical elements necessary to support the development of new products, services and companies.