Shell Intilaaqah Oman Entrepreneurship Programme (SME Accelerator)

About

An Oman-focused SME accelerator delivered by Flat6Labs for Shell Development Oman will support 15 high-growth Omani businesses with mentorship, acceleration, finance-mixer access and six months of post-programme monitoring.

Benefits

• 🧑‍🏫 Tailored mentorship
  Selected entities will be matched with mentors, advisors and coaches of different business expertise for guidance during the programme
• 📈Acceleration curriculum
  Selected entities receive training and advisory sessions covering business operations, efficiency, financial management, market strategy and scalability
• 💰Finance-mixer access
  Selected entities receive finance-mixer access and connections to local and international investors; participation does not guarantee funding, investment, commercial partnerships, procurement opportunities or contracts
• 🏆Annual Ceremony visibility
  Selected entities can share their growth journey and gain visibility with ecosystem partners and stakeholders at the Annual Ceremony expected between 12 and 25 April 2027
• 📅Six months of post-programme support
  Selected entities receive six months of post-programme support and monitoring, expected to run until approximately October 2027, including follow-up on progress and outcomes
• 🎁Cash prizes for top performers
  A secondary report states the programme concludes with cash prizes for top-performing businesses; this is not confirmed in the official terms

Eligibility Criteria

• Participants must be 18 years or older by 26 October 2026
• Entities must be registered in the Sultanate of Oman and owned and operated by Omanis, with at least one Omani founder
• Entities must have been operating for at least 2 years
• Entities must have paying customers and sustained, consistent monthly revenue over the past 6 months
• Entities must be established, revenue-generating businesses with a dedicated team; 2–149 employees is a guide, not a strict rule
• Open to eligible entities from all sectors; innovation may be demonstrated through a product, technology, service or business model
• Current or past employees, apprentices, trainees, interns, agents, officers or directors of Shell Development Oman, the Shell Group or Flat6Labs are not eligible unless permitted by Shell
• Participants resident in a jurisdiction where participation would breach law are not eligible
• Applicants must disclose Government Officials and any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest
• Applications must be submitted in English and each participant/entity may register only once

Participation Commitments

• Submit an application in English on the Programme Website during the registration period, which opens on 26 October 2026 and ends on 27 December 2026 (Oman Time)
• Shortlisted entities are expected to attend interviews and an on-ground bootcamp from 28 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
• A Selection Committee convenes from 4 to 10 January 2027 and selected entities are notified by email
• The acceleration cycle runs from 11 January 2027 to 25 April 2027
• The Annual Ceremony is expected between 12 and 25 April 2027
• Six months of post-programme support and monitoring are expected until approximately October 2027
• The founder named in the application is expected to attend all programme sessions; an alternate team member may attend where nominated, and attendance below 80% may lead to removal
• Participants must attend the Bootcamp, Mentoring Sessions, Cohort Meetings and Events as set out in the participant charter
• Participants must complete assignments, exercises and other programme activities and actively engage
• Participants must maintain confidentiality where required, follow the code of conduct and provide accurate performance information such as revenue, jobs and finance accessed when requested
• Each entity must appoint a Focal Point and provide a valid email address and mobile phone number
• There is no participation fee and participants are not required to purchase any product or service, but each entity takes part on its own account, costs and liability
• Participants must disclose conflicts of interest and Government Officials and comply with anti-bribery, export-control, HSSE and conduct requirements

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other

Target Location

Oman: entities must be registered in the Sultanate of Oman and owned and operated by Omanis with at least one Omani founder; participation is not permitted from jurisdictions where the programme would breach law.