NEOM Level Up Accelerator Expands With Five Saudi Studios And 600 Hours Of Mentorship

NEOM has chosen five Saudi game studios for funding under its Level Up gaming accelerator, marking the programme’s largest cycle so far. The decision follows an extensive mentorship stage and reflects NEOM’s wider plan to build the Kingdom’s games industry and support local developers with finance, expert advice and links to international publishers.

The current Level Up round began with an initial mentorship phase that involved more than 23 studios. Eighteen of those studios received early guidance before five were selected as the strongest candidates. These chosen teams will receive funding for product launch, seven further months of tailored mentoring totalling 600 hours each, and entry to NEOM’s Publisher Partner Network.

Level Up, run by NEOM Gaming, is described as the Kingdom’s longest-running gaming accelerator and forms a key part of the National Gaming & Esports Strategy linked to Saudi Vision 2030. With gaming expected to add over SAR50 billion ($13.33 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030, the programme is aimed at helping Saudi start-ups handle the practical demands of running a game studio.

Since its launch, the accelerator has supported the creation of more than 170 jobs, with every portfolio studio still operating. Participants have reported strong business growth, while several have gained international attention. One example is Fahy Studio, which agreed the first international publishing deal for a Saudi start-up game developer with Kwalee and secured $1.75 million from Impact46 and Merak Capital.

Other Level Up graduates have also achieved regional recognition. Starvania Studio and Majestic Mind Games won the ‘Best Games Startup’ title at the MENA Games Industry Awards in 2024 and 2025 respectively. These outcomes illustrate how previous programme cycles helped studios progress beyond early-stage support and enter wider regional and global markets.

Within the current cycle, access to NEOM’s Publisher Partner Network is central. The network features UK-based publisher Kwalee and Tamatem Games, which is described as MENA’s leading mobile games publisher. Through this network, selected Saudi studios are expected to gain advice on publishing, marketing and distribution for local and international audiences.

NEOM Level Up gaming accelerator studios selected

The five Saudi studios chosen for the latest funded phase are Aiqona Productions, Fourcast Studio, Makera, OFF BOX Studios and Phys. Each brings a different focus within game development, spanning animation, indie multiplayer projects, user-generated content tools, immersive design, and games that encourage physical activity among children.

Aiqona Productions works as a creative studio that mixes animation, narrative design and interactive gameplay to build engaging experiences. Fourcast Studio operates within the Kingdom’s indie scene and is developing a social PC multiplayer title featuring distinct gameplay systems. Both studios reflect the programme’s interest in varied genres and new approaches to player interaction.

Makera positions itself as a user-generated-content studio, giving communities tools and platforms to build and customise their own games. OFF BOX Studios is an emerging Saudi development team that concentrates on immersive and innovative projects. Their inclusion signals NEOM’s attention to studios that design both content and infrastructure for community-driven gaming experiences.

Phys focuses on technically driven titles that promote physical movement, especially among children, blending design with exercise goals. The studio aims to deliver high-quality gaming experiences while also encouraging healthier habits. This focus adds a different dimension to the cohort, linking interactive entertainment with activity and wellbeing objectives.

NEOM Level Up gaming accelerator leadership perspective

Executive Director and Head of Gaming at NEOM Toby Evan-Jones said: "Over the past three years, NEOM’s Level Up Accelerator has been instrumental in supporting Saudi Arabia's first generation of game developers through pre-seed funding and mentorship. This latest cycle builds on that success and reflects NEOM's commitment to empowering talented studios who bring fresh thinking to the Kingdom's gaming ecosystem."

Through this expanded Level Up cycle, NEOM continues to use funding, mentorship and publisher networks to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s games sector. The selection of five varied studios, combined with earlier support for many more, underlines a structured effort to develop talent, generate jobs and align the growing gaming ecosystem with national economic and strategic goals.

With inputs from SPA