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

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

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

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 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

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

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.