{"id":156142,"date":"2025-09-23T19:52:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T19:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/156142\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T19:52:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T19:52:18","slug":"dubai-launches-flagship-accelerator-to-boost-startups-in-key-sectors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/156142\/","title":{"rendered":"Dubai launches flagship accelerator to boost startups in key sectors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dubai\u2019s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai<\/a> Chamber of Digital Economy have teamed up with global innovation leader Plug and Play to launch a flagship three-month accelerator programme.<\/p>\n

Applications are now open for post-revenue startups looking to scale. The initiative embeds high-potential businesses into Dubai\u2019s growing corporate innovation ecosystem, offering them direct links to major organisations and access to new growth opportunities.<\/p>\n

Focus on trade, digital and fintech<\/p>\n

The first cohort of the accelerator will centre on three sectors: Trade and Logistics, Connectivity and Digital Solutions, and Fintech. These industries are considered central to Dubai\u2019s plans for economic diversification and digital transformation under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the city\u2019s economy by 2033.<\/p>\n

By connecting startups with global corporations, the programme is designed to foster partnerships that accelerate both innovation and commercial success.<\/p>\n

Partnerships with global players<\/p>\n

Startups joining the programme will work alongside leading corporates including DHL, du and Visa. They will gain access to corporate innovation teams, tailored mentorship, investor networks, and market entry support to help scale their operations in Dubai.<\/p>\n

For corporates, the accelerator provides early exposure to emerging technologies, the chance to co-create solutions with innovative founders, and the opportunity to shape Dubai\u2019s future-ready economy.<\/p>\n

Direct engagement with global leaders such as DHL, du and Visa.<\/p>\n

Expert guidance from international mentors across product, marketing, finance and sales.<\/p>\n

Investor access, fundraising support and capital-raising education.<\/p>\n

Leaders\u2019 vision for innovation<\/p>\n

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (the economic arm of DET), said the initiative reflects Dubai\u2019s commitment to fostering innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis programme connects entrepreneurs directly with corporates, mentors and investors within one collaborative platform. It\u2019s an unrivalled opportunity to innovate, grow and succeed in Dubai,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, noted that the accelerator aims to drive lasting impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy linking global talent with leading corporates, we are positioning Dubai as a magnet for digital economy investment,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Plug and Play\u2019s founder and CEO, Saeed Amidi, highlighted the dual benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cStartups will gain access to mentorship, investment and commercial partnerships, while corporates benefit from cutting-edge solutions that address their strategic priorities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A step towards Dubai\u2019s D33 goals<\/p>\n

The accelerator is part of Dubai\u2019s wider strategy to become a global centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. A cornerstone of the D33 Agenda, it aims to help create 30 unicorns and transform 400 SMEs into large businesses by 2033.<\/p>\n

By combining Plug and Play\u2019s hands-on mentorship model with Dubai\u2019s corporate landscape, the programme is set to strengthen the emirate\u2019s position as a hub for business, investment and global talent.<\/p>\n

\"Balaram<\/a><\/p>\n

Balaram brings more than two decades of experience in the media industry, combining sharp editorial judgment with a deep understanding of digital news dynamics. <\/p>\n

Since 2004, he has been a core member of the gulfnews.com digital team, playing a key role in shaping its identity. <\/p>\n

Passionate about current affairs, politics, cricket, entertainment, and viral content, Balaram thrives on stories that spark conversation. His strength lies in adapting to the fast-changing news landscape and curating compelling content that resonates with readers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dubai\u2019s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy have teamed up with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":156143,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[84,429,71455,4203,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-156142","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entrepreneurship","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-dubai","10":"tag-dubai-tourism","11":"tag-entrepreneurship","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom","14":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/156142\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=156142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}