The Outliers Fellowship is a flagship program dedicated to identifying and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders in MENA. Each year, a select number of exceptional early-career fellows are carefully selected to join the program.
We’re looking for individuals passionate about solving the challenges of building innovative solutions for emerging markets and eager to grow as leaders shaping the future of MENA.
Fellowship Experience
A summer internship
Get matched with a company within the Outliers and SVC network for a summer internship and experience the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship.
Tailored one-on-one mentorship
Gain guidance from industry leaders, leveraging their experience and expertise to accelerate your professional growth.
Weekly in-person programming and events
Weekly in-person programming: Participate in highly curated, in-person sessions designed exclusively for Fellows, offering direct exposure to leading founders, operators, investors and regional thought leaders.
A lifelong community of fellows
Build lasting relationships with like-minded fellows and stay connected through exclusive year round community events.
Timeline
Application Submission
This is where you tell us about yourself, your interests, and why you believe you’ll be a fit for the Fellowship! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The application deadline is February 27, 2026.
Fellow Interviews and Selection
All applications will be reviewed and a select group of candidates will advance to the next stage. You will be virtually interviewed by the selection committee where you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your skills and aspirations.
All applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview by March 20, 2026.
Matching
If you’ve reached this stage – Congrats! Your profile as a fellowship finalist will be shared with the participating companies. The companies will review the profiles, conduct interviews, and extend offers to the candidates they believe are the best fit.
Finalist profiles will be shared with companies by March 30, 2026.
Becoming an Outliers Fellow
Candidates who accept an internship offer officially become Outliers Fellows. In-person presence in Riyadh is required. Internship logistics, including start and end dates, will be coordinated directly between the fellow and the host company.
The internship will span at least 10 weeks, beginning in June and concluding by August 2026, granting the fellow full access to all program activities, resources, and opportunities.
Alumni
Impact
FAQs
The Fellowship is open to high-potential undergraduate and graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds, including international students. The program is highly competitive – in the previous cohort, we received hundreds of applications for just seven Fellowship spots.
During screening, we look for candidates who demonstrate ambition, curiosity, adaptability, creative thinking, and the ability to stand out.
Yes. Fellows must be physically based in Riyadh for the full duration of the summer program. The Fellowship is intentionally designed as an in-person, immersive experience – proximity to companies, founders, operators, and peers is central to its impact.
The Fellowship is a full-time summer program. Fellows are expected to work full time with their host company and attend mandatory in-person Fellowship sessions every Wednesday evening.
These sessions are a core part of the Fellowship, designed to deepen learning, strengthen relationships, and expose Fellows to the broader startup and venture ecosystem. We expect a strong commitment, which is why attendance is required.
Fellows join some of the fastest-growing technology companies in MENA, including previous host companies such as Lean Technologies and Breadfast.
Roles are broad-ranging and may include product, business development, marketing, operations, strategy, data, and engineering. Placement is based on mutual fit, company needs, and where a Fellow can have the highest impact.
Yes. All internships offered through the Fellowship are paid positions, with compensation provided directly by the host company. Beyond the internship, Fellows gain year-round access to Outliers programming, build relationships with top founders, operators, and investors, and become part of a lifelong Fellow community.
Moayad Alismail
NYU
Joining Lean Technologies
Bio here
Nasser AlSowyan
UCLA
Joining SVC
Bio here
Abdullah Dajani
Purdue University
Outliers Venture Capital
Bio here
Juri Aljohani
UC Berkeley
Joining Cloutfit.ai
Bio here
Lama Albassam
Northwestern University
Joining SVC
Bio here
Fahad Alsadhan
King’s College, London
Joining Breadfast
Bio here
Abdulrahman Alabdulkarim
KFUPM
Joining Lean Technologies
Bio here