Programs

40 programs · updated August 2026

Intakes, grants, licenses, visas, sandboxes, and challenges a UAE founder can actually use — with eligibility, dates, and a desk read on each. Closed programs stay listed; most are seasonal. Looking for capital? Browse investors or the funding tracker.

All types Intake Grant License Visa Sandbox Challenge

Any status Open Closing Evergreen Closed

ADGM FSRA Regulatory Laboratory (RegLab)

A tailored Financial Services Permission to develop and live-test your fintech product with real customers in ADGM for up to two years under a customised, lighter regulatory framework.

SandboxAbu DhabiEvergreen

ADGM Tech Startup Licence

Incentivised ADGM commercial licence from USD 1,500/yr at seed stage, with English common-law jurisdiction, 3 visas per desk and the Hub71 ecosystem.

LicenseAbu DhabiEvergreen

ADIO Innovation Programme

Bespoke financial incentives (rebates on highly-skilled payroll and high-tech CAPEX) plus non-financial support (office space, regulatory assistance, fee exemptions) from an AED 2 billion programme pool.

GrantAbu DhabiEvergreen

Area 2071 Ecosystem Membership

Dubai Future Foundation ecosystem membership at Emirates Towers: AED 1,000/yr subsidised commercial licence, 3-year DDA business licence, workspace and labs, and access to government and enterprise partners.

IntakeDubaiEvergreen

DFSA Innovation Testing Licence (ITL)

A restricted DFSA licence to live-test innovative financial products with real customers in the DIFC (typically a 12-month testing period); service fees USD 5,000–140,000 depending on activity.

SandboxDubaiEvergreen

DIFC Innovation Licence

Subsidised DIFC commercial licence at USD 1,500/yr for tech startups, with discounted coworking, up to 4 discounted visas on the first desk and Ignyte access.

LicenseDubaiEvergreen

DMCC Jump Start Package

DMCC licence + flexi desk + one residency visa in a single package (AED 43,780/yr), with sector-specific Crypto/AI/Gaming Centre variants at AED 31,000.

LicenseDubaiEvergreen

Dubai Future District Fund — Direct Startup Investments

Direct equity investment from an AED 1 billion evergreen fund anchored by DIFC and Dubai Future Foundation (22 direct startup investments to date).

GrantDubaiEvergreen

Dubai Mainland Trade Licence (DED)

Mainland Dubai trade licence issued digitally in about 15 minutes via Invest in Dubai/Basher, bundling Chamber membership, establishment card and work-permit quota.

LicenseDubaiEvergreen

Dubai Silicon Oasis Startup Licence (via Dtec)

Subsidised startup licence bundled with coworking at Dtec, DSO's tech campus — 100% ownership, DIEZ visas and a 5-year runway before standard rates.

LicenseDubaiEvergreen

Dubai SME Seed Capital & Expansion Loans

Seed capital and expansion loans for innovative Emirati-owned pilot projects and SMEs in Dubai, with grace periods up to 24 months and repayment up to 5 years.

GrantDubaiEvergreen

EDB 360 Business Banking & Growth Financing

Business account opened within ~48 hours plus in-app applications for growth financing of up to AED 5 million, with free local transfers and no minimum balance.

GrantUAE-wideEvergreen

IFZA Free Zone Business Licence

Remote, no-presence-required Dubai free-zone licence with 100% ownership and mix-and-match business activities, set up via IFZA's partner network.

LicenseDubaiEvergreen

in5 Design

Subsidised FZ-LLC setup with coworking, prototyping lab, 3D printers, wood/metal machinery and fashion lab, investor access and sponsored showcasing at Dubai Design Week and Arab Fashion Week; no equity taken.

IntakeDubaiEvergreen

in5 Media

Subsidised FZ-LLC setup with coworking, green rooms, recording studios, editing suites and production equipment, investor access and sponsored showcasing at Dubai Lynx, CABSAT and GITEX; no equity taken.

IntakeDubaiEvergreen

in5 Tech

Subsidised Dubai Development Authority FZ-LLC setup with coworking, smart labs and private offices, investor access and sponsored GITEX showcasing; membership-based, no equity taken.

IntakeDubaiEvergreen

Khalifa Fund SME Funding Products

Interest-free loans from AED 500,000 (Microfinance) up to AED 3M (Expansion, manufacturing) or AED 2M (Agri Tech), covering 80–90% of project cost with grace periods up to 24 months.

GrantAbu DhabiEvergreen

Meydan Free Zone Business Licence

Passport-only, fully remote Dubai licence from AED 12,500 with flexi-desk included — or the Fawri instant licence issued in under 60 minutes from AED 15,000.

LicenseDubaiEvergreen

SHAMS Business Licence (Sharjah Media City)

Low-cost, fully online Sharjah media/creative licence with 100% ownership, no physical presence required and up to 12 visas on a shared-desk facility.

LicenseSharjahEvergreen

The Catalyst Accelerator Program

Funding via SAFE note paid in 2–3 KPI-linked tranches, plus mentorship, a 3-month accelerator schedule and pilot opportunities with UAE market access through Masdar City and bp.

IntakeAbu DhabiEvergreen

UAE Golden Visa — Entrepreneur

5-year renewable, self-sponsored UAE Golden residency (no local sponsor needed) for founders of innovative projects auditor-certified at AED 500,000+; family sponsorship included.

VisaUAE-wideEvergreen

UAE Golden Visa — Investor (Public Investments)

10-year renewable, self-sponsored Golden residency for investors with AED 2M+ in a UAE company, frozen deposit or property — or AED 250,000+ in annual UAE tax contributions.

VisaUAE-wideEvergreen

UAE Green Visa — Freelancer / Self-Employed

5-year renewable, self-sponsored Green residency for freelancers with a MOHRE permit, a bachelor's degree and AED 360,000+ annual self-employment income over the past two years.

VisaUAE-wideEvergreen

UAE Virtual Work Residence Permit (Dubai)

1-year renewable, self-sponsored Dubai residence for remote workers employed outside the UAE earning USD 3,500+/month — no local sponsor needed, family sponsorship allowed.

VisaDubaiEvergreen

Investors & Ecosystem — who funds UAE startups →Send a program update →

About UAE programs on DXBStart

What does DXBStart list as a program?

A real apply path a founder can use: an intake, grant, license, visa, sandbox, or challenge. Operator homepages and formation shops are not programs.

Why are closed programs still listed?

Most intakes and challenges are seasonal. The page is the permanent record — when it reopens we update the dates, not the URL.

Do you apply on my behalf?

No. The apply button goes to the operator. If you want a read on which programs fit, write the desk from the program page.