Monsha'at Launches Second Edition of ‘Estrdad’ Initiative to Refund Government Fees for Startups

The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at) has launched the second edition of the “Estrdad” initiative to refund government fees, with a total value of SAR1.5 billion, to support startups during their first three years, stimulate the business environment, and enhance their sustainability and competitiveness.
 The initiative reflects the wise leadership’s commitment to creating a supportive and sustainable business environment and to strengthening the contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in building a diverse and prosperous national economy, in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030.
 Registration for SMEs begins from the launch date of the initiative and continues until the end of 2026. Disbursement will be made periodically to eligible SMEs starting from the date of their qualification. It will continue until the end of 2028, with the aim of supporting their financial stability and fostering growth.
 The initiative covers refunds for 10 types of fees and financial costs, starting with 80% of expatriate fees, publishing the articles of association, commercial registration, municipality license, Saudi Post and chambers of commerce subscriptions, trademark registration, and economic activity licenses. In this edition, patent registration has been added to encourage innovation and invention among national enterprises, in accordance with the conditions and regulations published on the initiative’s webpage: Estrdad.monshaat.gov.sa.
 The initiative is open to applicants that meet the criteria, including classification as micro, small, or medium enterprises; having been in business for no more than three years; and having started activity no earlier than January 1, 2024. The registration of the first employee is considered the start date of business activity. Companies must also meet the localization percentage set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and micro, small, or medium enterprises or individuals must hold at least 60% of the company ownership. The enterprise must be fully Saudi-owned, with exceptions only for activities specified under the initiative’s terms. Applications will not be accepted from entities not engaged in economic activities requiring a license.
 The initiative provides a unified digital experience for verifying eligibility and processing government fee refunds efficiently and reliably, aligning with digital transformation and reflecting the advancement of government services in supporting entrepreneurship.