New Cohort, Bigger AI Ambitions
There’s a quiet shift happening in Saudi Arabia’s startup space, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that artificial intelligence is at the centre of it.
Building on that direction, TikTok and Blossom Accelerator have rolled out the second cohort of their SME Empowerment Program. This isn’t entirely new - the first cohort already set the groundwork - but this time, the focus is sharper, with AI taking a more central role in how startups are built and scaled.
At its core, the program is designed for founders who are still figuring things out but have something promising in hand. It brings together mentorship, hands-on execution, access to networks, and funding support into a structured journey. For many early-stage startups, that combination is often what’s missing. Participants in this cohort may also receive up to US$60,000 in grants, which can make a meaningful difference when you’re trying to move from idea to execution.
The results from the first cohort give some context. Fourteen startups went through the program, collectively generating around US$840,000 in revenue growth and raising over US$14 million in funding. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do indicate that the model is working to some extent.
This time, the structure has been tweaked. It starts with an AI-focused hackathon, aimed at identifying founders and teams who are building practical solutions. From there, selected participants can move into a three-month accelerator program. While both tracks are separate, founders can already join a waitlist for the accelerator, which signals how early-stage interest is being managed.
From TikTok’s side, the intent is fairly straightforward. As Dr. Hatem Samman explains, startups and SMEs are seen as key contributors to economic growth, especially when they’re working with emerging technologies like AI. The partnership with Blossom is meant to support that segment in a way that aligns with broader national goals.
Blossom’s CEO, Emon Shakoor, frames it in a similar way. The emphasis isn’t just on helping individual startups grow, but on strengthening the overall ecosystem - giving founders the tools, access, and exposure they need to compete beyond local markets.
What also stands out is the involvement of ecosystem partners. Organisations like Monsha’at and Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE) are supporting the initiative, each playing a role in expanding access to resources, networks, and digital capabilities. Their participation ties the program more closely to national priorities, particularly those outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
Taken together, the program reflects a broader trend: AI is no longer a niche focus for startups in the region. It’s becoming a baseline expectation. And for founders trying to build something scalable, initiatives like this are gradually shaping what that journey looks like - from early experimentation to investment readiness.
It’s not a dramatic shift overnight, but it’s a steady one.
