King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Qassim University have joined forces on the Innovation Incubator 5, a program built to empower innovators turn early ideas into ventures with real economic value and to strengthen the Kingdom's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.   

Under the agreement, KAUST will host the program's bootcamp and shape an intensive, hands-on experience for participants, giving them the mentorship, resources, and tools to refine their ideas and move them toward working prototypes. The collaboration deepens KAUST's alignment with Qassim University in nurturing the entrepreneurship ecosystem and supporting national talent.   

KAUST will host the bootcamp from June 28 to July 2, 2026, as part of the second phase of Innovation Incubator 5. This phase runs across three sites: KAUST, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE), and Qassim University.  

The five-day bootcamp gathers entrepreneurs and innovators selected during the hackathon stage. Through practical workshops, advisory sessions and real-world challenges, participants sharpen their concepts, build prototypes, and strengthen their design-thinking and problem-solving skills under specialized mentorship.  

Now in its fifth edition, the program expects to reach more than 350 participants across over 24 workshops, while supporting 140 entrepreneurial projects and helping 40 startups take shape through its five-stage structure.