Dubai Founders HQ Accelerator (Plug and Play)
The Dubai Founders HQ accelerator run with Plug and Play was a fee-free, equity-free three-month programme: government and corporate access, PoCs, investor-readiness, Downtown campus. Completers might be considered for investment. The public challenge page we verified reads as a closed cycle, so the record is closed. The slug stays for the next run. This programme has been aimed at Emirati-linked teams on the posted page — read the nationality line before you write in. It is not the Antler academy.
DESK TAKE
Closed until they post a new cycle. If you are not in the nationality / ownership box they advertised, do not wait for this page to save you. Use Hub71 or in5 instead.
ELIGIBILITY
For Emirati-founded startups and SMEs that want to scale from Dubai. - Must be Emirati-founded, with founders committed to growing the business in Dubai and beyond - Stage: post-revenue startups to commercially proven, tech-enabled SMEs with operational readiness - Sector: open to all, with preference for D33-aligned areas (fintech, trade and logistics, edtech, sustainability) - 3-month hybrid format: in-person onboarding week, 10 virtual focus weeks, in-person graduation/Expo Day; full commitment required — no parallel accelerators - Interviews conducted in English
QUESTIONS
Is this the same as the Antler academy?
No. Academy is six weeks, idea-to-app. This was a three-month accelerator with Plug and Play.
Will it reopen?
Likely, as a seasonal government accelerator. We will date the next window on this same URL.