An introduction to Dubai’s start-up accelerators

Today, Dubai accounts for 62% of MENA start-up funding and has multiple businesses and foundations established in order to nurture new talent and support ideas that can make a marked impact on global business or social and environmental challenges. 

Dubai Future Accelerators

Offering a bridge between government entities and private sector ingenuity, Dubai Future Accelerators supports start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to collaborate in addressing various socioeconomic challenges, while providing a test-bed for potential solutions. Taking place in designated 9-week sessions, each cohort is structured in 8 stages and includes a list of government partners including Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality and participating companies such as Emirates Airlines and Du.

The first round of the programme generated US$33.5 million worth of deals, and 14 international companies relocated their headquarters to Dubai. Its most recent cohort saw 70 participants from 16 countries collaborating with six Dubai-based government entities and 27 private sector companies to solve critical business and industry challenges or leverage emerging opportunities.

DIFC FinTech Hive

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is home to the DIFC FinTech Hive, over 100 fintech start-ups, and a dedicated US$100 million fintech fund to enable sustainable growth and development of the industry.

DIFC FinTech Hive boasts an expansive network of global partnerships through bridges with hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Mumbai, Paris, Brussels, Holland and Bahrain, helping start-ups participating in the programme to gain further international exposure. With a focus on primarily FinTechs, InsurTechs, RegTechs and Islamic FinTechs, the FinTech Hive has accelerated more than 80 start-ups, with over 60 POC’s under mentorship.

Dubai Smart City Accelerator

Focused on delivering Dubai’s 2021 strategy of becoming the smartest city in the world, Dubai Smart City Accelerator is integrated with Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus; part of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Free Zone and works in collaboration with six strategic partners, namely Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du), Smart Dubai Office, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rochester Institute of Technology New York, Orange Business Services and Visa.

Reflecting its vision and mission, Dubai Smart City Accelerator is focused on working with start-ups that aim to overcome urban challenges such as congestion, waste and energy management.

Dubai Start-up Hub

Open to businesses under five years old, Dubai Start-up Hub is the entrepreneurship arm of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Designed to support start-ups through programmes, workshops and training, its aim is to enable growth for both international businesses looking to expand their footprint in Dubai, while scaling home grown businesses to reach their full potential in the international markets.

in5

Launched by TECOM in 2013, in5 provides a robust business set-up framework while helping to support your start-up from its cutting-edge prototyping labs, studios and creative workspaces. Focused towards Tech, Design and Media, in5 offers a full range of services to help start-ups grow.

Astrolabs

Located in Jumeirah Lakes Towers in partnership with the UAE’s largest free zone, DMCC, Astrolabs offers generous financial savings and a fast track establishment service. Open to all entrepreneurs, Astrolabs also provides a series of learning programmes which are open to the public and include digital marketing, entrepreneurship and coding amongst others.

Other major accelerators include Turn8, The Greenhouse, C3 Social Impact and many more.