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

Dubai Future Accelerators

Direct co-creation with Dubai government entities and large enterprises on live city challenges — a rare route to a public-sector pilot and a Dubai reference customer.

ChallengeDubaiClosed

FutureTech World Cup — Dubai AI Festival 2026

Live pitch before investors at Dubai AI Festival (26–27 Oct 2026); 2025 winner rewards included a Dubai AI Licence, $25,000 AWS credits and $20,000 Trescon credits.

ChallengeDubaiClosed

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.