Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Zain Group announced the regional expansion of its award-winning startup accelerator, Zain Great Idea (ZGI 2025), opening applications for the first time to innovators in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, and the UAE.

Powered by Zain Ventures and ZainTECH, the program offers startups mentorship, capital opportunities, and international exposure, including an intensive two-week accelerator in Silicon Valley. ZGI’s expansion marks a shift from its Kuwait-centric roots to a Group-wide initiative, reinforcing Zain’s commitment to driving innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.

Since its launch in 2010, ZGI has supported more than 7,000 entrepreneurs and helped raise over USD 135 million in funding over the last five years. The 2025 edition will focus on sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, AI, digital solutions, and edtech, with applications open until September 20, 2025.

Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, said the expansion is a “natural evolution” of the program’s mission to nurture talent and create lasting impact. “By scaling ZGI across our footprint, we aim to support startups that drive technological innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth across the region,” he noted.