Purpose: The present research explores the moderating effect of universities on the relationship between leadership and successful new venture creation. Leadership is crucial for new venture creation, influencing the venture's direction, strategy, and motivation. However, the influence of universities on this relationship has still not been extensively studied.   Theoretical framework: This research hypothesis proposes that universities can moderate the relationship between leadership and new venture creation by providing several leadership qualities, such as Visionary Thinking, Innovative Thinking, Communication Skills, Financial Management Skills, Team Building, Risk Taking Capabilities, and Strategic Thinking that facilitate the development and scaling up of new ventures.   Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a mixed-method methodology that includes qualitative and quantitative research methods and a sample size of 512 participants (students & instructors). The study focuses on private and public universities in Saudi Arabia and uses the Smart PLS tool to analyze the data.   Findings: The results of this study will contribute to the existing literature on entrepreneurship by providing valuable insights into the role of universities in creating and supporting new ventures. The study's findings will help policymakers make informed decisions on leveraging university resources to facilitate the development of new experiences. The results demonstrate that Saudi University support is critical in building relationships between leadership and successful new venture creation, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between universities and entrepreneurs.   Originality/value: Ultimately, this research contributes to developing strategies that enhance start-ups' success and promote economic growth.