The UAE has become a paradise for entrepreneurs, with Abu Dhabi as one of its centers of entrepreneurship. Committed to creating a futuristic innovation ecosystem and world-class infrastructure, the UAE government has put forward initiatives to help startups grow and scale. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of startup incubators and accelerators in Abu Dhabi. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages, so you may find the support that is suitable for every stage of your startup lifecycle.
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Topics Covered:
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Abu Dhabi
Growth Stage Startup Accelerators in Abu Dhabi
FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN ABU DHABI
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Abu Dhabi
The complete list of ideation phase incubators in Abu Dhabi:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social, Environmental, Cultural Impact
To bring forth a positive impact that addresses the societal challenges facing Abu Dhabi, Ma'an encourages innovation and facilitates collaboration and participation through its incubator and accelerator programs. They provide financial assistance, business services, mentorship, intensive training, and dedicated workspaces to participating startups. The social impact incubator supports entrepreneurs to discover solutions to social, cultural, and environmental concerns and provides resources to turn these ideas into a company or a non-profit organization. The social accelerator program enables current startups to develop and scale their companies as well as heighten their impact through a customized program suited to the needs of the participants.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Khalifa Innovation Center (KIC) offers boot camps and incubation programs to help local high-tech companies commercialize their products and grow into successful enterprises. The programs provide participants with entrepreneurial skills and expertise that will help them move from lab to market, including topics such as Entrepreneurship & Mentorship, Business models, Technology Acceleration & Product Development, Investment Cycles, Intellectual Property Review, and Pitching to Investors. In addition, KIC also offers initial capital, access to its vast business networks, and office spaces.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
To advance research and development toward revolutionary technological results, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) is formed as Abu Dhabi's and the UAE's research authority. They operate a plethora of programs that guide the development of the country's advanced technology research, including VentureOne, their commercialization arm which also acts as an incubator that assists potential entrepreneurs in reaching early growth stage and demonstrating the capacity to reach clients across industries.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Abu Dhabi
The complete list of launch phase incubators and startup accelerators in Abu Dhabi:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Though different in nature compared to accelerators and incubators, a startup studio can be an option for non-technical founders, first-time founders, or founders that want more than just financial capital from an early-stage investor. Raha Beach Ventures is an Abu Dhabi-based startup studio that will equip you with all the resources you need to launch and develop your enterprises. This includes assisting you in building your ideas, collaborating with subject-matter experts, and providing access to current partner networks, mentorship, and a dynamic and flexible environment. In exchange for their services, they do require equity in your company which is calculated on a case-by-case basis.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
To unleash the potential of MENA entrepreneurs, innovaMENA offers multiple initiatives that enable innovation in the UAE. They provide tailored programs for various startup lifecycles as well as access to capital and their partner networks. Amongst their programs are business incubation and acceleration to help entrepreneurs develop their ideas into MVPs and expand their business, startup challenges and competitions, and soft landing initiatives to help international startups enter the UAE market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital
Flat6Labs is a seed and early-stage VC that is most renowned for running its startup programs in the MENA region. They offer accelerator programs to help tech-driven entrepreneurs grow their business skills and realize their business ideas. As a participant, you will participate in mentoring and coaching sessions that will assist you in constructing your prototype and products, assessing the market fit, refining the business model, and pitching to investors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Fintech, Healthcare, Industry 4.0.
Plug and Play operate three accelerator programs in the MENA region: Fintech, Healthcare, and Industry 4.0. Supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the accelerator aims to create a venue for collaboration and information sharing among big industrial enterprises and exceptional technological entrepreneurs offering real value and solutions. The programs will help startups to network with corporate partners and ensure the progress of potential proof-of-concept and pilots.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Tech, Education, Clean Energy, Water, Transport, Health, Space
MRBIF, short for Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, encourages innovators to take their ideas to the next level. They exist to help innovators gain size, market momentum, and financial success. Funded by the federal government, they operate the MBRIF Accelerator which delivers tailored services to the most promising entrepreneurs at no cost. They will provide you with access to experts, industry insights, market data, and other critical resources to help your firm expand faster.
Growth Stage Accelerators in Abu Dhabi
The complete list of growth stage accelerators in Abu Dhabi:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors, Technology
StartAD provides startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs with the resources, skills, and tools they need to create innovative products and develop their entrepreneurial potential. They collaborate with government agencies and corporate leaders to develop impact-driven projects and enable cooperation among enterprises. Through a wide range of initiatives, they provide exceptional growth prospects for the entrepreneurial environment. This includes the Ma'an Social Incubator program, Scaleup Aldar program which assist foreign startups in entering the UAE market through commercial collaborations with Aldar, and the CSA program which serves UAE as a launchpad for global IT firms.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sustainability and Clean Technology
Jointly organized by BP and Masdar, Catalyst is a first-of-its-kind sustainability and clean technology startup accelerator in Abu Dhabi. Catalyst provides finance, training, one-on-one coaching, and access to the award-winning Masdar City Free Zone and the cutting-edge research facilities of Masdar Institute to innovative startups using tech to make the world more sustainable. They offer up to 12 months of acceleration and assistance in the form of business development mentoring, research and development, testing, and commissioning, legal and regulations, ICT marketing and public relations, human capital, and more. They also provide direct funding on a case-by-case basis in return for a 5 to 12% equity stake.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Hub71 is Abu Dhabi's global innovation ecosystem that provides entrepreneurs with access to worldwide partners and markets, financing, value-add programs, enabling services, and support packages to create and expand their impactful startups. They offer a range of startup initiatives, including Venture Lab where entrepreneurs can co-create startups, gain funding, and increase market access with Modus Capital; the Outliers program where startups can work on POC with Abu Dhabi's leading corporate and government entities, and Incentive program where startups can receive support packages and alleviate the costs of setting up and growing their companies through various incentives.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Abu Dhabi
As listed above, there are many startup support programs that connect entrepreneurs with an expanding network of corporate partners, venture capital funds, investors, regulators, and government partners for development and scaling prospects. As such, joining a startup incubator or accelerator in Abu Dhabi is highly recommended to assist founders in scaling their businesses effectively.