9 Startup & AI Funding Programs Open in Oman (Oct-Nov 2026)

Muscat's startup calendar rarely stands still, and October and November 2026 are no exception. Whether you are building an AI product, running a fintech pilot, or simply need subsidised office space to get through your first year, there is a government or private programme in Oman actively taking applications right now. This roundup pulls together nine live opportunities, split between AI-focused programmes that need extra lead time and general startup support that Omani founders can apply to this month.

📋 Key Takeaways

• The Omantel Accelerator's ninth cohort is open for applications with a deadline of January 9, 2027, giving AI, fintech and deep-tech founders extra runway through October and November.
• MTCIT's Numo-Microsoft for Startups accelerator offers up to $150,000 in Azure AI credits, though the ministry has not yet announced dates for its next cohort.
• Oman Technology Fund's Techween ($50K pre-seed) and Wadi Accelerator ($100K seed) run two cohorts a year, with a second-half 2026 window expected around October or November.
• MTCIT's SAS for Excellence scheme offers up to RO 1 million in combined financing and wage subsidies to mature Omani tech firms, with rolling applications.
• The Central Bank of Oman's Fintech Regulatory Sandbox continues to accept applications year-round, with fintech Cassbana receiving in-principle approval as recently as September 2026.
• Al Raffd Fund, the Oman Development Bank and Future Fund Oman remain open for Omani nationals and SMEs seeking loans, grants or equity-style financing throughout the fall.

🤖 AI Startup Programs (Deadlines Spanning October-November 2026 and Beyond)

AI ventures typically need more preparation time, so these two programmes deserve an early look even though their formal cutoffs stretch slightly past November.

1. Omantel Accelerator, Cohort 9

Omantel Innovation Labs has opened its ninth accelerator cohort, and the official programme page lists artificial intelligence, big data, fintech, 5G, IoT and cybersecurity as core focus areas.

• Organizer: Omantel Innovation Labs
• Type: Six-month corporate accelerator
• Key dates: Applications open now; deadline January 9, 2027. Programme runs February 10 to August 12, 2027.
• Eligibility: Startups with proprietary technology, post-MVP with paying customers, founded and operating in Oman or the wider MENA region.
• What's offered: Mentorship, a network of over 100,000 contacts, investment opportunities, free desk space at Omantel HQ, an entrepreneurship learning platform, and legal/accounting support.
• How to apply: Submit through the F6S application portal linked from the Omantel Innovation Labs site.
• Contact: Details on the official Innovation Labs page.

Previous cohorts leaned heavily into AI. When Omantel announced its sixth cohort, which included AI-driven ventures like AiN Technologies and DeepAstra, the programme's senior manager framed the moment this way:

2. Numo-Microsoft for Startups Accelerator

Run by MTCIT in partnership with Microsoft, the Numo Microsoft Accelerator Track gives eligible Omani ICT companies access to Azure's AI models plus up to $150,000 in cloud credits.

• Organizer: MTCIT and Microsoft, under the Nomou programme
• Type: AI/cloud accelerator track
• Key dates: The second cohort's applications closed earlier in 2026; MTCIT has not yet published dates for a third intake. Founders should register interest now so they don't miss a possible October or November opening.
• Eligibility: Commercially registered Omani ICT companies enrolled in the Nomou programme, with an existing or in-development tech product. Government entities, educational institutions, consultancies and crypto ventures are excluded.
• What's offered: Up to $150,000 in Azure credits, access to advanced AI models, Microsoft technical mentorship, and a route to the Microsoft Marketplace.
• How to apply / Contact: Email numo@mtcit.gov.om or check the Numo programme page for the next application window.

🚀 General Startup, Incubation & Investment Programs (October 2026)

3. OTF Techween & Wadi Accelerator

The Oman Technology Fund runs two flagship early-stage vehicles: Techween for pre-seed teams and the Wadi Accelerator, delivered with 500 Startups, for post-MVP companies, as Times of Oman reported at launch.

• Organizer: Oman Technology Fund (OTF)
• Type: Pre-seed (Techween) and seed-stage (Wadi) accelerators
• Key dates: Both run roughly two cohorts a year; a second-half 2026 intake is expected around Q4, which would land in October or November. OTF does not publish exact opening dates in advance.
• Eligibility: Techween targets pre-seed teams with at least two co-founders, one technical; Wadi targets post-MVP startups from Oman, the wider MENA region, Iran, Pakistan and parts of East Africa.
• What's offered: Techween provides $50,000 for roughly 7% equity, plus training and co-working space. Wadi provides an initial $100,000 investment, with the option of $150,000-$400,000 in follow-on funding.
• How to apply: Via the "Programs" section of otf.om.
• Contact: info@otf.om / +968 2417 2717.

4. SAS for Excellence

Launched by MTCIT in June 2026, SAS for Excellence is aimed at more mature Omani tech companies rather than first-year startups, but it remains one of the largest support packages on offer.

• Organizer: MTCIT, with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Oman Investment Authority, Development Bank and PDO
• Type: Direct financing and wage-subsidy scheme
• Key dates: Rolling; no fixed cutoff, per the ministry's own announcement.
• Eligibility: Fast-growing, revenue-generating Omani technology companies building locally-owned digital products, as Muscat Daily reported.
• What's offered: Up to RO 1 million combining direct cash financing, wage subsidies for up to 40 Omani employees, and procurement advantages.
• How to apply: Contact MTCIT directly to confirm eligibility before submitting a proposal.

5. National Business Centre / Knowledge Mine (KOM)

Madayn's Knowledge Oasis Muscat continues to run The Knowledge Mine, a no-equity incubator inside its technology park near Muscat International Airport.

• Organizer: Madayn (Public Establishment for Industrial Estates)
• Type: Incubator with subsidised office space
• Key dates: Always open; rolling admissions.
• Eligibility: Omani startups and SMEs, particularly in tech and knowledge-driven sectors.
• What's offered: Subsidised office space and utilities, mentorship, and access to KOM's wider innovation ecosystem, with no equity dilution.
• How to apply: Through Madayn's Knowledge Oasis Muscat portal.

6. Central Bank of Oman Fintech Regulatory Sandbox

The CBO/FSA Fintech Regulatory Sandbox is a rolling programme that lets local and foreign fintech companies, many now building on AI, live-test products under regulatory supervision. Fintech infrastructure platform Cassbana received in-principle approval to join the sandbox as recently as September 2026, showing the pipeline is active.

• Organizer: Central Bank of Oman and Financial Services Authority
• Type: Regulatory sandbox for live product testing
• Key dates: Rolling; applications reviewed on a continuous basis, with notification typically within 30 working days.
• Eligibility: Local or foreign fintech innovators, licensed or unlicensed, whose product complies with sandbox requirements.
• What's offered: A controlled testing environment with limited regulatory relaxations, plus a pathway to full licensing.
• How to apply: Via the FSA Sandbox Requests System.

7. Al Raffd Fund Financing Programmes

Al Raffd Fund continues to run several standing programmes for Omani entrepreneurs under the Authority for SME Development, including the Sanad, Mawareed Alrizq and Rural Woman schemes, per the official Oman e-Government portal.

• Organizer: Al Raffd Fund (under Riyada, the SME Development Authority)
• Type: Financing and entrepreneurship support
• Key dates: Always open; no fixed application window.
• Eligibility: Omani nationals only, with sector-specific tracks including a dedicated rural women's scheme.
• What's offered: Financing details available upon application; historically the fund has disbursed tens of millions of rials across thousands of SMEs.
• How to apply: Through the Al Raffd Fund section of the Oman e-Government portal.

8. Oman Development Bank

The state-owned Oman Development Bank remains the main lender for project-based and startup financing outside the commercial banking system. Zawya reported that the bank has been steadily increasing its small-business financing.

• Organizer: Oman Development Bank
• Type: Concessional loans
• Key dates: Always open.
• Eligibility: Omani entrepreneurs and SMEs, with dedicated tracks for young founders and women entrepreneurs.
• What's offered: Loans ranging from interest-free options up to RO 15,000 for full-time entrepreneurs, to larger project financing at low fixed rates.
• How to apply: Through the bank's branch network or official website.

9. Future Fund Oman

Managed by the Oman Investment Authority, Future Fund Oman is a $5.2 billion vehicle that, per the official Oman e-Government notice, allocates 7% of its capital to SMEs and 3% to startups.

• Organizer: Oman Investment Authority
• Type: Direct investment / co-financing
• Key dates: Year-round submissions through a three-stage electronic process.
• Eligibility: Commercially viable projects across tourism, manufacturing, green energy, ICT, logistics and other priority sectors.
• What's offered: Direct investment or financing, terms determined case by case.
• How to apply: Register an investor account at futurefund.om.

📊 Quick Reference

💡 Tips for Applicants

• Contact details change; always confirm current deadlines directly with the organizing body before submitting a full application.
• If a programme's window has not been announced, register interest by email so you are notified the moment applications open, as we noted in our earlier roundup of fall 2026 startup and AI programmes.
• Equity-based accelerators (Techween, Wadi, Omantel) suit founders ready to give up a stake for capital and mentorship; loan and grant schemes (Al Raffd, Oman Development Bank, SAS for Excellence) suit founders who want to retain full ownership.

🇴🇲 Why This Matters for Oman

Every one of these programmes ties back to the same goal: diversifying Oman's economy and building a knowledge-based private sector under Vision 2040. The mix matters as much as the money. AI-specific tracks like Numo and the AI-heavy Omantel cohorts push Omani founders toward frontier technology, while steady, no-frills financing from Al Raffd Fund and the Oman Development Bank keeps the broader small-business base growing. For founders in Muscat, Sohar, Salalah or Duqm, October and November 2026 offer a genuine range of doors to knock on, whether the ask is $50,000 in pre-seed equity funding or a rial-denominated loan to keep the lights on.