Prime Highlights:
- Propeller has launched Kernel Camp, a yearly programme to help early-stage technology founders from the MENA region.
- The programme provides founders with mentorship, networking, and resources to develop products and grow their startups.
Key Facts:
- The inaugural Kernel Camp will take place in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, from April to May 2026.
- Participants will get fully sponsored support, including workshops, one-on-one guidance, and a demo day to showcase their progress.
Background:
Propeller, a venture capital firm in MENA and the U.S., has launched Kernel Camp for early-stage technology founders from the region.
The programme helps founders improve their products, test ideas, and build networks. It is aimed at technically skilled entrepreneurs who are developing ready-to-launch products and leading startups showing early growth.
Selected participants will receive free accommodation, access to workshops and weekly guest sessions, one-on-one mentoring from experienced professionals, and visits to leading tech companies and investment firms. The programme will end with a demo day, giving founders the chance to present their work to Propeller’s Silicon Valley network.
Zaid Farekh, Founder and Managing Partner at Propeller, said that Kernel Camp is designed to help MENA entrepreneurs develop their products faster while connecting them with a community focused on innovation, technology, and international business.
Hani Azzam, Partner at Propeller, added: “Founders don’t succeed alone. Kernel Camp connects MENA’s top entrepreneurs with the people and networks that shape Silicon Valley. We want to help them improve their ideas, strengthen their products, and prepare their companies to grow internationally.”
The launch of Kernel Camp comes after Propeller introduced Fund III, a $50 million fund for startups in technology infrastructure, developer tools, and software across the U.S. and MENA. The programme reflects Propeller’s commitment to linking talent, resources, and know-how between the two regions.
Through Kernel Camp, Propeller hopes to boost the MENA region’s role in creating the next wave of global technology companies, making use of its extensive connections with partners, investors, and portfolio companies in Silicon Valley.
