NEOM Gaming Accelerator Welcomes Largest-Ever Cycle of Startup Studios

NEOM, January 07, 2026, SPA -- NEOM announced today the five game studios selected to receive funding as part of its annual flagship gaming accelerator ‘Level Up’. Coupled with an initial mentorship phase supporting a further 18 studios, the announcement collectively makes the most recent cycle Level Up's biggest yet, according to a press release issued by the NEOM today.
Following a competitive first phase which saw over 23 studios receive mentorship across a variety of topics, the five strongest studios have now been selected. They will receive critical funding to accelerate their product launch, a further seven months of mentorship totalling 600 hours per studio, and access to NEOM’s growing global Publisher Partner Network. This network includes UK-based games publisher Kwalee and Tamatem Games, MENA’s leading mobile games publisher.
The five Saudi studios selected for the next phase of the program are Aiqona Productions, Fourcast Studio, Makera, OFF BOX Studios and Phys.
Aiqona Productions is a creative studio blending animation, storytelling and interactive game design to craft engaging experiences. Also, Fourcast Studio is a pioneer in the Kingdom’s indie gaming scene currently developing a social PC multiplayer game that introduces unique gameplay mechanics. Makera is a user-generated-content studio empowering communities to create and shape their own gaming experiences through tools and interactive platforms. Meanwhile, OFF BOX Studios is an emerging Saudi game development studio focused on creating innovative and immersive gaming experiences. Phys is a studio dedicated to crafting high-quality gaming experiences with a strong emphasis on technology, design and encouraging movement/exercise among children.
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."
Level Up, driven by NEOM Gaming, is the Kingdom’s longest-running gaming accelerator and a cornerstone initiative of the National Gaming & Esports Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. With the gaming sector projected to contribute over SAR50 billion ($13.33 billion) to national GDP by 2030, the accelerator is designed to nurture and scale Saudi start-ups for long-term success through a tailored program addressing the unique challenges of running a game studio.
To date, the program has resulted in the creation of more than 170 jobs with 100% portfolio survivability and substantial growth of investee entities. Several startups from previous cycles have gone on to achieve further global recognition and success. This includes Fahy Studio, which secured the first ever international publishing deal for a Saudi start-up game developer with Kwalee, alongside investment of $1.75 million from Impact46 and Merak Capital. Other Level Up graduates – Starvania Studio and Majestic Mind Games – consecutively won the ‘Best Games Startup’ award at the 2024 and 2025 MENA Games Industry Awards.
-- SPA