🇦🇪 Accelerators, incubators and startup programs in the UAE
21 accelerators, incubators and startup programs in the UAE, from the Open Ecosystem Atlas — Program, Ecosystem, Accelerator, Incubator, Event and Community. Most are based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. 10 of them offer free access.
Open in the Atlas mapAccelerators, incubators and startup programs in the UAE
UAE Golden Visa
Program · Nationwide · Free access
10-year residency for entrepreneurs, investors, and specialised talent. Category-based, open application through ICP and GDRFA.
Offers: info
UAE Green Visa
Program · Nationwide · Free access
5-year self-sponsored residency for freelancers and self-employed professionals. Freelance permit plus AED 360,000 proven annual income.
Offers: info
Freelance permits, MOHRE and free zones
Program · Nationwide
Legal solo work status via MOHRE or free zones like RAKEZ, twofour54, SHAMS. Cheapest packages from about AED 5,500 a year.
Offers: info
Basher
Program · Nationwide · Free access
The federal eService that sets up a licensed UAE business online in about 15 minutes, connected to 18 government departments.
Offers: info
Hub71
Ecosystem · Abu Dhabi · Free access
Abu Dhabi flagship tech ecosystem at ADGM, backed by Mubadala and ADQ. Equity-free incentive package worth up to AED 1.5M: subsidized housing, office, insurance.
Offers: funding, space, community
in5
Ecosystem · Dubai
TECOM incubator across Internet City, Media City and d3 for tech, media and design founders. Subsidized licensing and workspace.
Offers: space, community, info
DIFC Innovation Hub
Ecosystem · Dubai
The financial district innovation arm, home of FinTech Hive, with discounted innovation licenses for early companies.
Offers: community, info, funding
Sheraa
Ecosystem · Sharjah · Free access
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, university-anchored, equity-free programs with a social and creative economy focus.
Offers: mentoring, community, funding
startAD
Ecosystem · Abu Dhabi · Free access
Accelerator at NYU Abu Dhabi running open programs, corporate pilots and venture launchpads.
Offers: mentoring, community
Area 2071, Dubai Future Foundation
Ecosystem · Dubai
The Future Foundation ecosystem at Emirates Towers: programs, strategic partners, subsidized licensing.
Offers: community, info
Khalifa Fund
Program · Abu Dhabi · Free access
Grants and soft loans up to AED 3M for Emirati entrepreneurs.
Offers: funding
Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund
Program · Nationwide · Free access
Federal innovation fund and accelerator with a guarantee scheme, open application, no equity.
Offers: funding, mentoring
Flat6Labs Abu Dhabi
Accelerator · Abu Dhabi
Seed accelerator for the Arab world, structured programs with funding.
Offers: funding, mentoring
Plug and Play Abu Dhabi
Accelerator · Abu Dhabi · Free access
Corporate innovation platform connecting startups to enterprise pilots.
Offers: community, mentoring
Openfor.co
Incubator · Virtual, global
The virtual incubator for individuals: accelerator-grade support before you have a company, joinable from the UAE or anywhere. This atlas is one of its projects.
Offers: mentoring, community, info
Founder Institute
Accelerator · Global chapters
The global pre-seed accelerator, running in 200+ cities, for people at idea stage.
Offers: mentoring, community
Techstars Dubai
Accelerator · Dubai
The global accelerator brand’s Dubai program.
Offers: funding, mentoring
Startup Grind Dubai
Event · Dubai
The Dubai chapter of the global founder community, regular open events.
Offers: community
Dubai Startup Hub
Community · Dubai · Free access
The Dubai Chamber’s entrepreneurship community and programs.
Offers: community, info
GITEX, Expand North Star
Event · Dubai
The largest startup and investor gathering in the world, every autumn.
Offers: community
Step Conference
Event · Dubai
The region’s startup festival for founders, creatives and investors.
Offers: community