Dubai: Dubai Founders HQ, an initiative by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, has announced the successful completion of its first wave of accelerator programmes. The initiative has delivered tangible execution, impactful corporate engagement, and credible venture scalability.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programmes were delivered in partnership with global innovation leader Plug and Play, showcasing a new model for rapidly translating innovation into commercial deployment. Conducted over 100 days, the initiative involved 23 startups, comprising Emirati and resident founders, and 5 leading corporate partners. It resulted in 36 proof-of-concept opportunities, with 15 currently in advanced due diligence or contracting and 3 agreements signed during the programme cycle. The programme, distinct from traditional accelerators, centered around direct customer demand, facilitating efficient transitions from initial engagement to commercial discussions.
Corporate partners such as DHL, du Business, Emirates Flight Catering, talabat, and Visa collaborated directly with startups to pilot solutions addressing real business challenges. Notable collaborations include Emirates Flight Catering's partnership with Metis ESG and talabat's collaboration with Retailhub, which reflect a shift from experimentation to enterprise-level deployment within accelerated timelines.
The accelerator programme's completion was marked by an interactive demo day, which convened founders, investors, corporate leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders. The event highlighted Dubai's model of translating economic strategy into practice through structured public-private partnerships.
Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), emphasized the programme's role in accelerating the adoption of innovation in the market. Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), highlighted the programme's impact on advancing Emirati founders into real market deployment. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, reiterated the commitment to creating practical paths to success for startups.
Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play, expressed pride in the tangible outcomes of the programme, underscoring its global standing. The structured approach facilitated over 80 hours of mentorship, investor introductions, and tailored learning modules, integrating startups into the broader economy to accelerate business growth.
As part of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, Dubai Founders HQ aims to support the creation of high-growth startups, scale new unicorns, and strengthen Dubai's status as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. Building on its success, the initiative plans to expand sector-focused programmes through further strategic partnerships.