Startup accelerators and incubators in the United Arab Emirates
- 10 organizations
- 3 cities
- Oct 2026 last checked
UAE-based startups recorded 231 venture deals in 2025, according to MAGNiTT data reported by Khaleej Times. The UAE also recorded 17 mergers and acquisitions in 2025, the most in the region by headquarters, while Middle East venture funding reached $3.43 billion.
Sources: Khaleej Times, reporting MAGNiTT full-year 2025 data, January 2026
The UAE Golden visa gives entrepreneurs a 5-year residence. Applicants show proof of innovative or technical projects, documents proving project value, and a letter from a business incubator or relevant authority in the emirate.
Sources: UAE Government Portal (u.ae), Golden visa, accessed October 2026
10 of 10 shown
Nothing matches these filters.
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Dubai Future Accelerators
Program that pairs startups with Dubai government entities and large companies to co-create solutions to set challenges, including a new agentic AI accelerator for government services.
- Run by
- Dubai Future Foundation
- Founded
- 2016
dubaifuture.ae Latest activity: Oct 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Hub71
Abu Dhabi tech ecosystem running a 12-month company-building program with cash and incentives, plus specialist Hub71+ tracks and early-stage Initiate for pre-MVP founders.
- Duration
- 12-month programme
- Funding
- AED 250,000 worth of flexible incentives and AED 250,000 in cash in exchange for equity through a SAFE note
AIClimate & energyFintechHealthtechLife sciencesMobility
hub71.com Latest activity: Oct 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
in5
Dubai incubator with four sector centers (Tech, Media, Design, Science) offering startup licensing support, mentorship, training bootcamps, networking and investor access.
- Run by
- TECOM Group
- Founded
- 2013
Media & creative
infive.ae Latest activity: Jun 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
Abu Dhabi government fund for Emirati entrepreneurs that runs capability-building programs including a game incubator, a cybersecurity accelerator, a light manufacturing accelerator and an SME export program.
- Run by
- Government of Abu Dhabi
CybersecurityIndustry & manufacturingMedia & creative
khalifafund.ae Latest activity: Apr 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Make it in the Emirates Accelerator
National accelerator for UAE-licensed manufacturing startups offering mentorship, access to industrial anchor companies, investor introductions and production and R&D facilities, delivered with Brinc.
- Run by
- Emirates Development Bank
- Duration
- six-month accelerator journey
Industry & manufacturing
edb.gov.ae Latest activity: May 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center
University center helping faculty, researchers, engineers and students start AI companies in Abu Dhabi through an entrepreneurship course, a demo day, a Silicon Valley trip, mentors and hackathons.
- Run by
- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
AI
mbzuai.ac.ae Latest activity: Jun 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)
Federal innovation fund running a cohort Innovation Accelerator Program for startups, with a guarantee scheme that helps members obtain financing.
- Run by
- UAE Ministry of Finance
- Equity
- no equity taken
mbrif.ae Latest activity: Sep 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
SANDBOX by Oraseya Capital
Five-month Dubai accelerator for pre-Seed to Seed technology startups with a two-phase structure of diagnostics and sprints, mentoring, coworking space and a closing demo day.
- Run by
- Oraseya Capital
- Duration
- 5 months
- Funding
- $150,000 investment from Oraseya Capital via SAFE note ($110,000 cash + $40,000 program fee)
sandboxaccelerator.com Latest activity: Sep 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center)
Sharjah startup center running staged founder programs from an online starter course and an eight-week program to four-month incubation, plus membership, coworking and the Access Sharjah Challenge.
- Duration
- 2.5 hours to 4 months depending on programme
- Founded
- 2016
sheraa.ae Latest activity: Sep 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
startAD
Abu Dhabi startup accelerator anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi that runs entrepreneurship programs for students, Emirati founders and international startups, including an AI sandbox, HealthX and an angel education series.
- Run by
- New York University Abu Dhabi
AIHealthtech
startad.ae Latest activity: May 2026 · Checked Oct 2026
How this list is made
Every card on this page passed the same three checks before it was published.
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Opened on its own website
Each organization was read on its own site, not on a directory or press page.
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Active in the last 18 months
A dated cohort, open call, demo day or news item is required. Its date is on the card; an announced one shows as Upcoming.
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Checked a second time
A separate review re-read every record. Anything it could not confirm was left out.
What gets listed
- Accelerator cohorts
- Incubation with coaching or lab access
- Startup studios
- University founder centers
- Public programs with an application process
What is left out
- Investment funds without a program
- Office or coworking space without a program
- Programs with no dated activity in 18 months
Only what they state
Sector focus, duration, equity and funding appear only where the organization states them itself. A blank means it does not say, not that the answer is none.
Spotted a mistake?
Something out of date, or a program missing? Write to info@mentornity.com with a link to the official page.
Running a program like these?
Our guide covers how accelerators and incubators set up mentor pools, match founders with mentors and keep track of sessions across a cohort.