Kuwait City – Zain Group has announced the regional expansion of its award-winning startup accelerator program, Zain Great Idea (ZGI 2025), powered by Zain Ventures and ZainTECH. For the first time in its 15-year history, the program will welcome applications from entrepreneurs in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, offering unmatched access to mentorship, capital, and global exposure.
ZGI 2025 will culminate with up to 15 startups traveling to Silicon Valley for a two-week international accelerator, where they will engage with top mentors, industry leaders, and corporate partners. The program, which has already empowered more than 7,000 entrepreneurs since its inception in 2010, reflects Zain’s commitment to nurturing regional innovation in line with its 4WARD – Progress with Purpose strategy.
Regional Expansion Backed by Zain Ventures and ZainTECH
- Zain Ventures, the Group’s venture capital arm, plays a pivotal role in driving the regional scale-up and will provide selected startups with opportunities to pitch directly for investment.
- ZainTECH, the Group’s ICT and digital solutions subsidiary, will support participating startups with advisory, technical enablement, and emerging technology insights spanning AI, cloud, cybersecurity, analytics, and robotics.
Six-Phase Accelerator Journey
- Applications open until September 20, 2025 via zaingreatidea.com, targeting startups across fintech, e-commerce, AI, edtech, and digital solutions.
- Bootcamp workshops with coaching, mentorship, and pitch training.
- Super Saturday pitch day to select finalists.
- Silicon Valley Accelerator, featuring workshops, events, and one-on-one mentoring.
- Post-program mentorship with regional and international advisors, with technical support from ZainTECH.
- Demo Day, where startups pitch to VCs, investors, and Zain Ventures for funding and partnerships.
Legacy of Impact
Over the last five years alone, ZGI participants have raised USD 135 million from regional investors, while the program has run 110+ bootcamps and trained thousands of founders. In recognition, Entrepreneur Middle East awarded ZGI the title of “Ecosystem Enabler of the Year.”
Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, said: “Expanding ZGI across our footprint is a natural evolution of our commitment to nurturing regional talent and driving meaningful change. Through ZGI, Zain Ventures, and ZainTECH, we aim to support startups with lasting impact on innovation, job creation, and economic growth.”
