February 23, 2026
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Exel by Merak, a subsidiary of Merak Capital and one of Saudi Arabia’s premier innovation platforms, has successfully concluded the Demo Day for its second gaming accelerator cohort, marking the completion of a 13-week intensive program. The 17 participating startups collectively received USD 5.1 million in investment from the Merak Gaming Fund through the Exel Gaming Accelerator.
Demo Day Highlights Progress and Innovation
Hosted in Riyadh, Demo Day brought together founders, investors, and industry stakeholders. Participating studios presented their companies and showcased the games developed during the cohort. The event highlighted the startups’ growth, including improved product direction, commercial readiness, and go-to-market strategies.
Cohort 2 benefited from hundreds of hours of hands-on support provided by Exel’s in-house team of globally experienced specialists based in Riyadh. Over 13 weeks, the team guided founders in product decision-making, publishing readiness, and commercial execution.
In addition, 18 global mentors collaborated with the studios, bringing international expertise in product quality, production discipline, and go-to-market execution. Input from senior practitioners across the gaming industry provided valuable benchmarks and practical insights for scaling game development capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Leadership and Vision
Exel also announced the appointment of Faisal Sedrani as Chief Executive Officer, continuing his leadership of the platform as it expands into new sectors and strengthens its mandate as a multi-sector innovation company in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Faisal Sedrani stated:
“Exel’s objective is to support innovation in the Kingdom by enabling entrepreneurs and creating supportive environments for growth. Our focus is identifying opportunities in promising sectors and helping founders scale their operations. We began with the gaming sector, supporting studios as they build and expand capabilities within Saudi Arabia.”
Looking Ahead: Cohort 3
Exel confirmed that Cohort 3 of the gaming accelerator is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026, continuing to support early-stage and scaling gaming startups while addressing key gaps in the sector.
The gaming accelerator is part of the Merak Gaming Fund (MGF), an $80 million investment initiative under the Gaming and Esports Sector Financing Program. The fund, overseen by the National Development Fund (NDF) in collaboration with the Social Development Bank and the Saudi Esports Federation, aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by driving innovation and growth in the gaming industry.
Since its inception, Exel has supported more than 100 gaming studios, including international teams operating in Saudi Arabia, through its bootcamp and accelerator programs.
About Exel by Merak
Exel by Merak is an innovation platform that empowers startups through specialized programs. Focusing on digital technology, Exel provides founders in Saudi Arabia and beyond with mentorship, strategic support from Merak Capital, and access to a global partner network.
The platform aims to close critical gaps in the regional startup ecosystem, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to scale globally.
