Programs & Growth Partner
The UAE's AI programs — found, won, and scaled.
The UAE runs one of the densest fields of startup and AI support in the world — accelerators, funds, regulatory sandboxes, challenges, and creator initiatives. Most founders never find the right ones, and fewer still win them.
We're the operating partner from the application through the growth that follows — whether you're about to apply, just got approved, or scaling after a win.
How we partner
Track
Discover & track
- · Consolidate the accelerators, grants, challenges and initiatives that fit
- · Match each to your stage, sector and goals
- · Track deadlines, criteria and fit in one place
Win
Participate & win
- · Application strategy and positioning
- · Pitch preparation and narrative
- · Partner alignment and warm introductions
Grow
Post-win growth
- · Execution planning and go-to-market
- · Content, PR and partnerships
- · Hiring, ops and scaling support
The directory
A living map of the programs worth knowing. Figures are as publicly reported and change between cohorts — we confirm the live intake before you apply.
Accelerators, funds & ecosystem
Hub71 — Abu Dhabi
Access, Initiate and Hub71+ AI. Incentives, compute, and a network spanning AI71, Core42, AWS, Nvidia and MBZUAI. Pre-seed to growth; relocation to Abu Dhabi.
DIFC Innovation Hub & Dubai AI Campus
The region's largest innovation cluster: a subsidised AI licence, the FinTech accelerator, corporate AI-transformation and venture-studio tracks. AI, fintech & Web3.
MBRIF — federal
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund: a zero-equity accelerator plus a government-backed financing guarantee. No relocation, no equity; high-growth innovators.
Dubai Future District Fund
A dedicated fund for Dubai-ecosystem startups, direct and co-investment from seed to growth. Equity investment; Dubai-aligned ventures.
Dubai Future Foundation — Area 2071
The flagship innovation ecosystem: relocation, co-working, and a route to real government access and contracts. GovTech & future-sector startups.
Sheraa — Sharjah
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center's equity-free accelerator for early-stage founders. Idea to early traction.
Regulatory & sandboxes
ADGM RegLab — Abu Dhabi
The region's first fintech regulatory sandbox: test innovative solutions under the regulator's supervision before full licensing. Cohort-based; theme rotates.
DIFC Innovation Testing Licence
DIFC's own sandbox to test financial innovation within its jurisdiction. Fintech testing in DIFC.
Challenges & showcases
GITEX — Supernova Challenge
One of the world's largest startup pitch competitions, with a substantial prize pool. Global & UAE startups; Dubai.
Expand North Star
The world's largest startup-and-investor showcase, drawing investors managing trillions in assets. Scaling startups & fundraisers.
Cross-border
Creators & influencers
Creators HQ — Dubai
The UAE's first creator hub: workshops, events, relocation support and a Golden Visa pathway for global content creators. Creators & personal brands.
1 Billion Followers Summit
The world's largest creator-economy event, with major prizes including a purse for AI-generated films. Creator-founders; Dubai.
Creators Ventures Accelerator
A creator-and-startup accelerator (with 500 Global) offering significant funding for social-impact and creator-led ventures. Creator-founders & JVs.
Content Creators Support Fund
A dedicated fund to grow the UAE's digital-content sector, underpinning the creator ecosystem. Creators & creative initiatives.
Applying, just approved, or scaling after a win?
That's exactly where we come in — the operating partner from the application through the growth that follows. Tell us where you are, and we'll map the shortest path.
Talk to us →