ITHCA Group has announced three major initiatives to boost Omani technology startups and strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia. ITHCA operates as the technology investment arm of the Oman Investment Authority. The announcement came during a group hosted event in December 2025. The move signals a stronger push toward regional scale, private capital access, and startup readiness.OTF SCALE Replaces the Idea Stage FundBawabat Accelerator Targets Saudi Market EntryJoint Investment Agreement with Vision VenturesStrengthening Oman Saudi Tech TiesLeadership Perspective and Long Term Vision OTF SCALE Replaces the Idea Stage Fund ITHCA has rebranded its Idea Stage fund as OTF SCALE. The new name reflects a sharper focus on building scalable technology companies. The fund supports founders from early validation to prototype development. OTF SCALE prioritizes key growth sectors: Artificial intelligence Financial technology Software platforms Digital services Since launch, the fund has completed 36 investments. Eleven percent of portfolio companies secured follow on funding within 15 months. These results show strong early traction and investor confidence. OTF SCALE aims to back founders who build with scale in mind from day one. Bawabat Accelerator Targets Saudi Market Entry ITHCA also launched the Bawabat accelerator. The program runs for six months. It focuses on helping Omani startups enter and scale in Saudi Arabia. ITHCA developed the program with aljabr.co. The National Technology Development Programme supports the initiative. Bawabat helps startups prepare for real market expansion. It offers hands on support across business and regulatory needs. Key benefits include: Investor access in Saudi Arabia Market readiness and localization support Strategic guidance for scaling operations Startups that join Bawabat qualify for exclusive investment. Each team can receive up to USD 100,000 from the OTF SCALE fund. This capital helps founders move faster in a competitive market. Joint Investment Agreement with Vision Ventures ITHCA signed a joint investment agreement with Vision Ventures. This partnership expands funding access for Omani startups. It also opens doors to Saudi expertise and networks. The agreement aims to: Connect Omani startups with Saudi investors Share regional market insights Support growth in larger ecosystems Vision Ventures brings experience in backing companies across Saudi Arabia. The partnership strengthens cross border capital flows and founder exposure. Strengthening Oman Saudi Tech Ties These initiatives align with a wider regional strategy. ITHCA wants to position Oman as a launchpad for regional tech growth. Saudi Arabia plays a central role due to market size and investor depth. The programs create a clear pathway: Build locally in Oman Validate products early Expand confidently into Saudi Arabia This structure reduces risk and improves founder success rates. Leadership Perspective and Long Term Vision Eng. Said bin Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO of ITHCA Group, described the initiatives as a qualitative leap. He emphasized their role in expanding opportunities for Omani entrepreneurs. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia as a key growth destination. ITHCA continues to invest with purpose. The group focuses on innovation, regional integration, and sustainable growth. These initiatives mark a strong step forward for Oman’s startup ecosystem.