MITdesignX in Dubai
MIT's MITdesignX program is running workshops in Dubai, giving startups a framework to sharpen commercial strategies and host MIT student interns.
MIT has always been big on entrepreneurship. MITdesignX, an accelerator launched in 2016 and now part of the MIT Morningside Academy for Design, has taken its spirit global. Over the years, they have run workshops and programs in cities like Reykjavik, Venice, Mexico City, and Hong Kong. Recently, they partnered with MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) to launch their first program in Dubai.
MITdesignX Dubai (MDXB) is designed to help early-stage startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with a focus on sustainability. In November 2023, the program received over 100 applications and selected 12 teams. Backed by support from Global Growth Hub and the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, MDXB offers:
- Funding
- Workspace and labs
- Local support services
The program is hosted at Dubai Silicon Oasis Park.
The Dubai cohort was notably diverse, with participants hailing from the UAE, Egypt, India, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, the U.K., and Norway. Despite regional tensions, the initiative brought together entrepreneurs and students to tackle urban sustainability challenges. MIT faculty conducted regular workshops, and MIT students joined team projects during January’s Independent Activity Period (IAP).
Students such as Nicolas Stone Perez and Andrea Aude described the experience as eye-opening. They worked on innovative projects—from converting fuel vehicles to electric, to transforming plastic waste into housing materials—and appreciated the collaborative, relaxed work culture in Dubai. Inspired by this success, MDXB plans to open applications for its next round this summer, with agritech joining the program’s focus areas.