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

Supernova 0X at Expand North Star 2026

$200,000 equity-free cash prize pool split across Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A winners, plus growth packages, buyer introductions, sponsored GITEX pods and PR exposure.

ChallengeDubaiOpen · Nov 2026

ChallengeDubaiCloses Nov 2026

Hub71 Access Programme — Cohort 20

AED 250,000 in-kind incentives + AED 250,000 cash via SAFE note on a 12-month programme with a 3-month guided track powered by Techstars; top performers eligible for a further AED 250,000 top-up.

IntakeAbu DhabiOpen

Hub71+ ClimateTech — Cohort 20

AED 250,000 in-kind + AED 250,000 cash via SAFE note, plus a 3-month climate-focused guided track operated by Plug and Play with anchor partners Siemens Energy, Taqa and Tabreed; AED 250,000 top-up for top performers.

IntakeAbu DhabiOpen

Hub71+ Digital Assets — Cohort 20

AED 250,000 in-kind + AED 250,000 cash via SAFE note, 3-month guided track powered by Elixir Capital, ADGM regulatory access and Web3 partners (First Abu Dhabi Bank, Solana, Algorand, Circle); AED 250,000 top-up possible.

IntakeAbu DhabiOpen

Hub71+ Life Sciences — Cohort 20

AED 250,000 of in-kind support plus AED 250,000 cash via SAFE note, with up to AED 250,000 top-up for high performers, on a 12-month programme starting February 2027.

IntakeAbu DhabiOpen

MBRIF Innovation Accelerator — Cohort 13

Six-month accelerator with bespoke mentorship, expert training and investor/partner network access — no fees, no equity taken; members have raised AED 2.8B+ collectively.

GrantDubaiOpen

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.