Paklaunch will host Dr Aamir Farooq for a webinar titled The KAUST Startup Playbook, giving aspiring founders, tech innovators, early stage entrepreneurship teams and researchers insight into building deep tech and novel ideas into scalable ventures within the Saudi Arabian and global technology ecosystems. The session is designed to connect Pakistani and international audiences with opportunities available through King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading research institutions.
Dr Farooq will share insights into the programmes available at KAUST, including the TAQADAM Startup Accelerator, a six month deep tech accelerator that offers milestone based, zero equity grant funding alongside expert mentorship and access to the TAQADAM network and physical spaces. The zero equity structure of the accelerator’s funding is a notable detail for founders, since it allows startups to access capital and support without giving up ownership stakes in their company, an arrangement that differs from the equity based funding models more commonly associated with venture accelerators.
KAUST operates as a leading graduate level research university in Saudi Arabia focused on scientific research, technology and innovation, with its Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program working to bridge advanced science and engineering with commercial strategy. This positioning helps transform high tech ideas into market ready ventures aligned with the broader ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s long term economic diversification strategy that includes significant investment in technology and innovation infrastructure.
Dr Farooq serves as a Professor at KAUST and Director of the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, bringing a technical and academic background to the session that includes a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from GIK Institute in Pakistan, along with a Master’s and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. His combination of Pakistani academic roots and international research credentials gives the session a speaker positioned to bridge perspectives relevant to both audiences.
The webinar is scheduled for August 26, 2026, at 10 PM Pakistan time, held online via Zoom. For founders and researchers working on deep tech ventures with ambitions to scale beyond Pakistan’s domestic market, the session offers direct access to programme details and funding structures available through one of the Gulf region’s more established research and innovation institutions. Join: https://bit.ly/3DiJLuq
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
