Your April-May 2026 Guide to Startup Support in Oman: Accelerators, Funding & More

Whether you're launching an AI startup, building a space tech venture, or growing a traditional SME, Oman's startup ecosystem is offering unprecedented support this spring. With programs ranging from equity-free accelerators to government-backed financing schemes, April and May 2026 present critical opportunities for Omani entrepreneurs to access funding, mentorship, and resources aligned with Vision 2040's economic diversification goals.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• AI-focused programs are accepting applications through May 2026, including the Oman AI Accelerator with $250K equity-free funding
• Google for Startups Accelerator MENA runs April to June 2026, offering up to $350K in cloud credits
• Multiple government financing programs through Al Raffd Fund, Oman Development Bank, and Future Fund Oman remain open with rolling applications
• Space tech startups can apply to the Oman Space Accelerator Program, a 15-week intensive program
• Women entrepreneurs have dedicated support through programs like Najihat, Rifi, and Mulhimat
• Most programs prioritize Omani nationals or Omani-led teams, with some open to GCC residents

🤖 AI & Advanced Technology Programs

Oman AI Accelerator

Organizing Body: Part of Oman's National AI Strategy 2025-2030

Type: Accelerator (equity-free)

What's Offered:

• $250,000 equity-free seed funding
• 6-month intensive mentorship program
• Access to government contracts worth $10M+
• Free office space in AI City Muscat
• Direct access to ministry decision-makers

Capacity: 50 startups annually

Eligibility: AI-focused startups (applications opened September 2025, program runs through 2026)

Application Status: Check official program website for current cohort deadlines

Why it matters: This flagship program represents Oman's commitment to becoming a regional AI hub, offering some of the most generous equity-free funding available in the GCC.

Google for Startups Accelerator: MENA & Turkey

Type: Accelerator (equity-free)

Program Dates: April to June 2026

What's Offered:

• Equity-free participation
• Mentorship from Google engineers and industry experts
• Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits
• Access to Google's global network of mentors (100,000+)
• In-person Demo Day and Graduation ceremony in June 2026

Eligibility: Open to startups from Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, and Central Asia working with AI/ML technologies

How to Apply: Visit startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/middle-east-north-africa-turkey/

Omantel Innovation Labs Accelerator

Organizing Body: Omantel Innovation Labs

Type: Accelerator with investment potential

Application Deadline: Applications for current cohort closed January 11, 2026. Check website for next cohort announcements.

Focus Areas: IoT, 5G, Cybersecurity, Big Data, Customer Experience Technology, Fintech, and AI

What's Offered:

• Access to 100,000+ mentors, corporates, and investors globally
• Detailed entrepreneurship curriculum through online learning platform
• Tailored support specific to startup needs
• Free desk space at Omantel HQ in Muscat
• Soft-landing guidance for launch and expansion
• Potential investment from Omantel Innovation Labs

Program Structure: De-risks startups across multiple lifecycle stages through mentorship, networks, and fundraising support

How to Apply: Visit omantel.om/innovation-labs

ASYAD-Omantel Accelerator

Organizing Body: Asyad Group in partnership with Omantel Innovation Labs

Type: Six-month accelerator program

Focus Areas: Supply chain optimization, sustainable logistics, cold chain logistics, and tech solutions for the logistics industry

What's Offered:

• Expert mentorship in financial viability, market desirability, and technical feasibility
• Fundraising strategy support
• Potential investment from Omantel Innovation Labs
• Access to Asyad's logistics network and expertise

Eligibility: Technology startups operating in the logistics sector

Application Status: Check official program pages for current application windows

🚀 Space Technology Programs

Oman Space Accelerator Program (OSAP)

Organizing Body: Delivered by Phoenix Space and Technology Company in collaboration with Exotopic (UK)

Type: National space sector accelerator

Program Duration: 15 weeks intensive, within a year-long program

Capacity: 10 innovative space-focused startups

What's Offered:

• Interactive workshops and specialized intensive lectures
• Training in entrepreneurship, prototyping, business planning, investment readiness
• Intellectual property and technological transformation guidance
• Expert support from local and international specialists
• Incentive prizes for top three startups to establish sustainable operations

Eligibility Requirements:

• Team must be Omani-led (at least one founder must be Omani national)
• Either a registered company in Oman (SME or Startup) with valid commercial registration, OR an entrepreneur/academic team with a clear space-related idea committed to registering if selected
• At least one team member capable of full participation (in-person in Muscat or online)
• Clear, innovative idea related to the space sector

Recent Success: Rocket Elements and Technologies (RE&T) won first place in OSAP, announced at the Middle East Space Conference 2026

How to Apply: Visit makeen.gov.om/OmanSpaceAcceleratorEn

💰 Government Financing & Investment Programs

Oman Technology Fund (OTF) Programs

Organizing Body: Oman Technology Fund

Total Fund Size: Up to $150 million committed capital

Type: Three-tier investment program covering idea stage to growth stage

Programs:

1. OTF Techween (Idea/Pre-Seed Stage)

• 3-month pre-seed fund program
• $50K seed investment with potential follow-on funding
• Co-working space provided
• 3-month coaching and mentoring program

2. OTF Wadi Accelerator (Acceleration Stage)

• Initial investment of approximately $100K
• Potential follow-on investment
• Support from experienced entrepreneur mentors

3. OTF Jasoor Ventures (Growth Stage)

• Investment range: $500K to $3M
• Follow-on reserves available

Focus Sectors: Fintech, healthtech, edtech, cleantech, and other technology and innovation-driven sectors

How to Apply: Visit otf.om and navigate to the Programs section

Future Fund Oman

Organizing Body: Oman Investment Authority

Total Fund Size: 2 billion Omani Rials (approximately $5.2 billion) over five years

Startup Allocation: 3% of capital dedicated to startups (7% for SMEs)

Investment Range: OR 4,000 ($10,400) to OR 250,000 ($650,000) for startup projects

Priority Sectors:

• Tourism
• Industry and production
• Green energy
• Information and communications technology
• Ports and logistics services
• Mining
• Fisheries
• Agriculture

Application Process:

1. Create an account on the platform at futurefund.om
2. Answer qualification questions to identify appropriate financing model
3. Complete Investment Opportunity Form
4. Review process takes up to three months after submission

Application Status: Rolling applications, submit anytime

Al Raffd Fund

Organizing Body: Al Raffd Fund (Government of Oman)

Established: 2013

Fund Capital: RO 70 million with financial and administrative independence

Type: Low-interest financing for Omani entrepreneurs

Programs:

• Sanad Program: Quality financing for varied business needs
• Mawareed Alriezq Program: Support for small and medium-size projects
• Rural Woman Program: Dedicated support for rural women entrepreneurs

Interest Rates:

• Maximum 2% interest for most loans
• 1% interest rate for jobseekers
• No collateral security required

Special Features: Low-interest financing, mentoring programs, and special grants for startups in tech, clean energy, and value-added manufacturing aligned with Vision 2040

Application Status: Contact Al Raffd Fund directly for current application procedures

Oman Development Bank Programs

Organizing Body: Oman Development Bank

Type: Concessional lending and specialized financing products

Recent 2026 Programs:

1. Loan Guarantee Program (Partnership with Sohar International, launched February 2026)

• Bank guarantees 50% to 80% of loan amount
• Percentage depends on project size, nature, and economic viability
• Sharia-compliant financing available through Sohar Islamic
• Targets Omani SMEs expanding or starting new projects

2. "Alama" Franchise Financing Program

• Financing up to RO 100,000
• 3% return rate
• Repayment terms up to seven years
• Grace periods up to 12 months
• Supports entrepreneurs acquiring franchise rights and local brand scaling

3. Micro-Project Financing

• By September 2025: financed 20,000+ small projects worth over $259 million
• Continues prioritizing startup projects across production and service sectors
• Concessional interest rates significantly lower than commercial banks

How to Apply: Check the Oman Development Bank website and Riyada SME portal for application procedures

🏢 Incubation Programs

National Business Centre (NBC) Incubation

Organizing Body: National Business Centre (managed by Madayn)

Established: 2012 under Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE)

Location: Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM)

What's Offered:

• Business development support and guidance
• Training and mentoring programs
• Access to markets and industry experts
• State-of-the-art, fully equipped office space
• Meeting rooms and presentation facilities
• Counseling and guiding services
• Intensive training and coaching
• Business networking and partnership formation opportunities

Recent Activity: NBC actively signing new incubation agreements in 2026, including partnerships with engineering services firms and technology companies

Special Program: Riyada incubator (managed by NBC) offers additional services and incentives

Eligibility: Promising Omani entrepreneurs and startups

Application Status: Visit NBC's official page for current incubation opportunities

Sultan Qaboos University Innovation Center

Organizing Body: SQU Innovation and Technology Transfer Center

Type: Pre-seed incubation program

Special Focus: AI-driven innovations and transforming research into market-ready solutions

Program: Scientific Incubator Programme (funded by Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation)

What's Offered:

• Cultivation of ecosystem where cutting-edge research becomes products
• Support for startup establishment
• Startup competitions with pitching opportunities
• Educational sessions on business model development
• Access to jury of experts, potential investors, and entrepreneurs

Recent Success: Nabatenio, a student-led startup developing plant-based meat alternatives, emerged from this program

How to Apply: Visit innovation.squ.edu.om

Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) - The Knowledge Mine

Organizing Body: Madayn (Public Establishment for Industrial Estates)

Established: 2003

Type: Business incubator

What's Offered:

• Subsidized office space and utilities
• Variety of business support services
• Two first-class incubator facilities
• Access to Knowledge Oasis Muscat technology park ecosystem

Target: Technology startups and knowledge-based businesses

Application Status: Contact KOM directly for current incubation opportunities

🎯 Sector-Specific & SME Development Programs

Riyada (Public Authority for SME Development) Programs

Organizing Body: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (formerly Riyada)

Type: Comprehensive SME support ecosystem

2026-2030 Strategic Plan: Over 700 initiatives and training programs across 8 strategic pillars

Strategic Pillars:

1. Promoting entrepreneurship culture
2. Scaling up enterprises and accelerating regional/global expansion
3. Maximizing local content
4. Accessing financing with broader, more innovative options
5. Expanding incubators and entrepreneurship centers
6. Developing governorates and leveraging comparative advantages
7. National Programme for Craft Industries
8. Supporting innovative and technology-based startups

Key Programs:

SANAD Program:

• Financial support to Omani-owned small businesses
• Concessional financing and loan guarantees
• Priority for manufacturing, food production, and craft industries
• Partial loan guarantees and subsidized financing
• Direct financial assistance for qualifying operational costs

Business Incubation Centers:

• Operated across Oman in multiple governorates
• Subsidized workspace
• Mentoring services
• Access to government procurement channels
• Reduced operating costs for accepted startups

Al-Azm Lending Portfolio: By December 2025, approved 514 requests totaling OMR 44,385,764

2026 Financing Target: No less than 200 projects across various economic sectors

How to Apply: Visit sme.gov.om for programs and application procedures

Rising Omani Startups - Startup Accelerator

Organizing Body: Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED), Madayn, and Industrial Innovation Academy

Type: Three-year national accelerator program

Focus: Emerging startups based on advanced technology and innovation

What's Offered:

• Financing support
• Training programs
• Mentorship from industry experts
• Office spaces designed to foster innovation
• Support for scaling businesses

Goal: Spread startup culture in educational institutions and support Omani entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses

Application Status: Contact ASMED or Madayn for current cohort information

👩‍💼 Women Entrepreneur Support Programs

Najihat Programme

Organizing Body: National Business Centre (NBC)

Target: Women-led startups

Sectors: Handicrafts, services, and SMEs

What's Offered: Incubator support network specifically designed for women entrepreneurs

Rifi Programme

Type: Rural women entrepreneurship support

Sectors: Agriculture, fisheries, honey, spices, and food security

What's Offered:

• 50% subsidy on production equipment
• Training programs
• Focus on local value-add products

Target: Rural women in agriculture and related sectors

Mulhimat

Organizing Body: Tawasul and BP Oman

Type: Mentorship, coaching, and trading platform

Target: Female SME owners

What's Offered: Comprehensive mentorship, coaching support, and access to trading opportunities

Women at the Top

Organizing Body: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Type: Platform for women entrepreneurs

What's Offered: Support and encouragement to enhance abilities and boost participation in entrepreneurial ventures

Omran's Intajee and Zaree Initiatives

Organizing Body: Omran

Target: Micro-businesses and female artisans

Sectors: Crafts and local food production

Goal: Enable talented women to launch, scale, and sustain high-potential businesses aligned with Oman Vision 2040

🎓 University-Linked Programs

German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) Start-up Hub

Focus: Low-carbon technologies and green innovation

What's Offered:

• Support for student and faculty startups
• Startup Grind local chapter for networking
• Connection to entrepreneurship community

Application Status: Contact GUtech directly for participation opportunities

University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) Entrepreneurship Department

Established: 2020

Focus: Advancing Oman's knowledge economy through innovation

What's Offered: Strategic support for fostering innovation among students and faculty across multiple campuses

💡 Additional Financing Resources

National Technology Fund (NTF)

Organizing Body: Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology

Purpose: Support Oman's digital transformation agenda under Vision 2040

What's Offered:

• Grant funding for early-stage technology companies
• Equity participation options
• Assessment based on commercial viability, technical innovation, and alignment with national digital strategy

Application Status: Contact MTCIT for application procedures

Shell Intilaaqah

Established: 1995

Type: Entrepreneurship stimulation initiative

What's Offered: Intensive training programs to nurture Omani youngsters and foster company concepts

🔍 How to Navigate These Opportunities

For AI & Tech Startups:

Prioritize the Oman AI Accelerator, Google for Startups Accelerator MENA, Omantel Innovation Labs, and OTF programs. These offer the most substantial support for technology-driven ventures, with combinations of funding, mentorship, and market access.

For Traditional SMEs:

Focus on Riyada programs, Al Raffd Fund, and Oman Development Bank financing. These government-backed initiatives offer concessional financing rates and support tailored to local businesses aligned with Vision 2040.

For Space Tech Ventures:

The Oman Space Accelerator Program is your primary target, offering specialized support in a growing sector that Oman is actively developing as part of its economic diversification strategy.

For Women Entrepreneurs:

Leverage dedicated programs like Najihat, Rifi, and Mulhimat alongside general programs. Many mainstream accelerators and funding sources also prioritize gender diversity.

For University Spinouts:

Start with SQU Innovation Center, GUtech Start-up Hub, or UTAS Entrepreneurship Department before scaling to national programs like OTF or Future Fund Oman.

📋 Application Best Practices

• Start early: Many programs have competitive selection processes. Applications for AI programs especially benefit from the extended April-May timeline.
• Align with Vision 2040: Emphasize how your startup contributes to economic diversification, job creation for Omanis, or priority sectors like ICT, tourism, logistics, manufacturing, or clean energy.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation: Have your commercial registration (if applicable), business plan, financial projections, team CVs, and pitch deck ready.
• Demonstrate traction: Even early-stage programs value evidence of market validation, whether through pilot customers, partnerships, or proof of concept.
• Leverage multiple programs: Many startups combine different support mechanisms. For example, you might secure incubation space from NBC while applying for OTF funding and participating in an Omantel accelerator cohort.
• Network actively: Attend events at Oman Startup Hub, join Startup Grind Muscat chapters, and connect with alumni of programs you're targeting.

Why This Matters for Oman

The concentration of startup support opportunities in April and May 2026 reflects Oman's accelerating commitment to economic diversification under Vision 2040. With government entities, telecommunications companies, academic institutions, and international programs all actively supporting entrepreneurship, the ecosystem is maturing rapidly.

The emphasis on AI and advanced technology programs signals Oman's ambition to position itself as a regional innovation hub, not just a participant. Programs like the Oman AI Accelerator offering $250K equity-free funding and the Space Accelerator Program demonstrate serious government backing for high-potential sectors.

For Omani entrepreneurs, the current environment presents an unprecedented window of opportunity. The combination of concessional government financing, private sector accelerators, and international programs creates multiple pathways to support, regardless of your startup's stage or sector. The key is matching your venture to the right programs and moving quickly on applications.

The next two months could be the launchpad for Oman's next generation of successful startups. Whether you're working on an AI innovation in Muscat, developing space technology, or building a traditional SME in the governorates, there's likely a program designed to support your journey.

Sources

• Omantel Innovation Labs - The Accelerator
• Oman Technology Fund
• Google for Startups Accelerator: Middle East, North Africa and Turkey
• Oman Space Accelerator Program
• Future Fund Oman
• Future Fund Oman Launched - Ministry of Finance
• Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada)
• Government Grants for Startups in Oman: 2026 Complete Guide
• Sultan Qaboos University Innovation Center
• National Business Centre
• Women Entrepreneur Support Programs in Oman
• Startup Accelerator Launched to Boost Innovation, Growth in Oman - Zawya
• Al Raffd Fund to Finance 200 Small Entrepreneurs - Times of Oman
• New Loan Guarantees Boost SME Financing in Oman - Oman Observer
• Central Bank of Oman - Accelerator and Incubator
• Future Fund Oman Launched - Oman News Agency