Grow Tourism Accelerator



About The Program

Looking to take your tourism startup to the next level and achieve fast-tracked success? Consider our Tourism Accelerator program. This groundbreaking initiative connects bright minds with mentorship from industry experts, potential partnerships and investment opportunities.



Program Objectives

Drive Tourism Innovation:

The program propels tourism in Saudi Arabia, aligning the best tourism startups with the Kingdom's 2030 Tourism Vision.

Equip Startups with Resources:

TDF and Plug and Play will provide startups with mentorship, industry-specific training, and a tailored program, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the future tourism challenges in Saudi Arabia

Enable Funding & Partnerships:

The program will be facilitating connections with investors and industry leaders, which will offer selected startups the opportunity for capital and valuable strategic partnerships.

Providing, enabling development and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in the tourism sector


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Advantages of the Program Title Pattern

Gain a competitive edge with a tailored program focusing on the tourism sector and covering different aspects of the business such as product design, marketing, finance, sales, and more. Receive expert guidance and strategic insights to accelerate your tourism startup's growth and unlock its full potential.

Gain access to 1:1 mentoring from experts and founders in the ecosystem from Saudi Arabia and the region. Learn from the experience of others and solve your challenges.

Benefit from exclusive access to workshops and sessions from industry leading experts and gain hands on training, specific for your company’s needs and structure.

Showcase and network with potential investors and VC’s from the region and gain access to exclusive networking events,mixers and much more to help raise the funding you need to boost your startup’s ideas and turn them into reality.

Forge powerful partnerships that can drive your tourism startup forward. The program aims to open doors to valuable collaboration opportunities with industry leaders, innovative companies, and strategic partners.

Access Plug and Play’s diverse network and ecosystem and benefit from discounted prices and exclusive access to tools and subscriptions such as: AWS, Hubspot and many more.



Who Should Apply

We are actively seeking top-tier startups that excel in addressing the following themes. If your company aligns with and is developing solutions in any of these areas, we invite you to apply and become a part of our accelerator program. This program offers valuable opportunities for growth and collaboration in the tourism sector.

Fundamental Paths



Program Stages

Call To Application

Evaluation

Application Confirmation

Accelerator Cohort Kickoff

Demo Day

Post program and alumni support

Call To Application

Evaluation

Application Confirmation

Accelerator Cohort Kickoff

Demo Day

Post program and alumni support



Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the TDF Accelerator?
All post MVP to Series A tourism themed startups that are currently generating revenue in or planning to expand to Saudi Arabia are encouraged to apply for our upcoming batch.

What is the selection process like?
All applicants will undergo two rounds of screening by our program team. In the first round, each application will be reviewed for program alignment, and founding team. Shortlisted startups will be invited to participate in a series of virtual interviews, and finalists will be notified ahead of a program kickoff.

Will this program be run in English?
Yes, this program will be run primarily in English due to the diversity of the applicants and startups.

What is the duration and format of the program?
The program would be hybrid format, with both in-person and virtual activities over a period of 3,5 months.
What are the program's working days?
The program's working days will be from Sunday to Thursday, and in case of any updates, participants will be contacted in advance.

Do you provide funding for my Startup?
This program is completely free of any charge and is equity free. However, we will be inviting both local and global investors to assess your case for potential funding.

Can I join the accelerator while currently enrolled in another?
Startups are not allowed to be enrolled in other accelerators.

If qualified for the Accelerator stage, will travel and accommodation costs be covered?
No, travel and accommodation costs are not covered.

If, after the end of The Accelerator program, I qualify to participate in the graduation ceremony, who will cover the travel and accommodation costs?
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the participant.

Does the program support or cover transportation costs within the city that will be identified?
The Tourism Development Fund does not cover transportation costs.

What is meant by the project demo day at the closing ceremony?
A day will be held to showcase the best projects graduating from the program, where each entrepreneur will present his/her project with the aim of obtaining investment opportunities and strategic partnerships, in the presence of representatives from relevant governmental and private sectors.

Does the presence of some team members replace the presence of others during the program?
Yes, the presence of all team members is not required. The presence of the owner or his representative among the team members is sufficient.

How do I make sure my registration request has been received?
A confirmation message will be sent via the email entered in the registration form.



Please Read Terms And Conditions

Tourism Development Fund Tourism Accelerator Terms, Conditions, and Declaration

The user of the platform cannot submit the registration form without clicking on an empty box below the terms and conditions and next to it is the phrase: I agree to all terms and conditions.

Notice:

The Tourism Development Fund ("the Fund") retains the right to alter and/or amend any terms, conditions, or declaration at any time, at its sole discretion, without the need for prior consent from the participant. In the event of such changes, they will be promptly communicated via the Fund's official website, social media channels, or through the email address provided by the participant during their enrollment process.

Introduction:

The Tourism Development Fund has launched the "Accelerator Program" to incentivize entrepreneurs and SME’s enterprises, aiming to bolster the tourism sector within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

About the Program:

This pioneering program empowers entrepreneurs and startups in the tourism industry by fostering investment-minded thinking, honing entrepreneurial skills, and equipping them with the essential tools and support from specialized mentors and experts in the field.

Accelerator program, spanning three months, includes:

1. Interactive workshops and guidance sessions conducted by industry experts and specialists.
2. Engagements with seasoned entrepreneurs and founders of innovative projects in the tourism sector.
3. Opportunities for investment pitches during a conclusive showcase attended by investment funds and angel investors.
4. Connections with a diverse array of stakeholders from both government and private sectors.  

The content will be accessible both online and in-person at the specified location. 

Commitment:

This document delineates the terms and conditions between the Fund and the program participants, referred to collectively as "Participants" and individually as a "Participant." These terms and conditions, along with the declaration, are applicable to all program participants. Each participant is expected to thoroughly read and comprehend them prior to submitting their application for the program.

Upon acceptance and signature by the participant, this document becomes a legally binding agreement, necessitating compliance with its stipulated terms and conditions.


Firstly: Terms and Conditions

1. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

2. Startup has existing operations in Saudi Arabia or demonstrating commitment to expanding to Saudi Arabia.

3. Startup must be in Seed to Series A.

4. All applications will experience a thorough review and evaluation process to ensure they meet the program's standards.

5. Acceptance is not guaranteed; applications will be critically assessed by the Fund, and decisions are final. There are no grounds for objection if an application is declined.

6. Participants are expected to uphold public decency and professional conduct, avoiding any behavior that contradicts Islamic values or could be considered offensive, violent, discriminatory, or harassing.

7. Participants must refrain from sharing unsuitable content related to the program, its participants, the Fund, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or Islam on social media platforms.

8. All program materials are proprietary to the Fund and/or the program executors and are intended for personal and educational use only. No commercial use or reproduction is permitted. Participants do not hold any intellectual property rights over materials provided by the Fund, the program executors, or other participants, including but not limited to patents or trademarks. 

9. Participants are advised to register their intellectual property with the appropriate authorities before or during their involvement in the program. The Fund is not liable for any intellectual property infringements and will not entertain claims for compensation arising from such violations.

10. The Fund has the authority to use, replicate, publish, or utilize any photographs, videos, and audio recordings of the participant in its marketing campaigns and for other business or non-business-related purposes, contingent upon securing prior approval from the participant. 

11. Information and materials provided during the program are not to be considered as professional advice or recommendations. Participants should seek independent professional advice before making any business or investment decisions. The participant agrees that the Fund and the program executors are not liable for any losses, damages, or expenses that might occur due to the use of or reliance on the program content. 

12. Acceptance into the program does not constitute a promise or approval from the Fund for funding or investing in the participant's project(s), nor does it guarantee any job opportunities.

13. The business ideas and concepts of other participants are confidential. They cannot be disclosed, used, or reproduced without explicit written consent from the respective owners.

14. The Fund may, at its discretion, request additional information or documentation at any time to verify the authenticity of the participant's application and the accuracy of their data.

15. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that fails to meet the program's terms, conditions, and overall ethos.

16. The Fund may disqualify any participant at any stage if they provide false information, taking any necessary legal actions. 

17. Participants must disclose any existing health conditions — physical or mental— to ensure prompt and appropriate medical responses if needed during the program. Pre-existing health conditions do not automatically lead to exclusion from the program, but relevant information and documentation must be provided. 

18. Participants are expected to fully engage with all program requirements, including tasks, training sessions, assignments, and activities. 

19. Full attendance is mandatory. Participants should be present at least ten minutes before each session starts. Excessive absences (more than two days for virtual sessions or three days for in-person sessions) may lead to termination from the program.

20. Participants must have a computer with Internet access and be in a quiet, undisturbed area for virtual sessions.

21. Cameras must be on during all virtual meetings and activities.

22. Participants must submit and sign all required legal documents for the program. This includes, but is not limited to, the Entrepreneur Participation Agreement, Loan Disclosure, and a Consent Form for Photography. 

23. The participant is responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses, as well as any other associated costs, if they are accepted into phases of the program that necessitate such expenditures. This also includes any costs related to attending the final event, should they advance to that stage. 

24. The Fund does not recognize any current risks, and the participant fully assumes responsibility for their participation in this program and any associated risks, be they legal, physical, or mental. The participant also exempts the Fund from any claims, losses, or damages and absolves the Fund from any lawsuits and liabilities of any nature.

25. The participant agrees to safeguard, indemnify, and absolve the Fund (including its officials, employees, and agents) from all claims, damages, losses, obligations, liabilities, costs, and expenses that may arise due to the participant's breach or violation of any of the commitments mentioned above. 

26. These terms and conditions are subject to and interpreted based on the laws and regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.