Dubai Founders HQ, an initiative by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, has completed the first wave of its accelerator programs, delivering a series of pilot projects and commercial agreements between startups and corporate partners.

The program ran for 100 days in partnership with Plug and Play, bringing together 23 startups and five major corporations and generating 36 proof-of-concept opportunities. Of these, 15 are in advanced stages of due diligence or contracting, while three agreements were signed during the program.

Designed around direct corporate demand, the accelerator aims to shorten the path from innovation to market deployment. Companies including DHL, du, Emirates Flight Catering, Talabat, and Visa worked with startups to test solutions addressing real operational challenges.

Among the outcomes, Emirates Flight Catering partnered with Metis ESG to deploy a platform that improves visibility into supplier risk, while Talabat collaborated with Retailhub to scale a solution that reduces stockouts through real-time inventory tracking.

Program organizers said partnerships that would typically take up to a year to establish were compressed into a three-month timeframe, with some progressing from initial introductions to signed agreements.

The program concluded with a demo day showcasing collaborations across sectors such as finance, logistics, telecommunications, retail, and food and beverage, highlighting Dubai’s model of linking public and private partnerships with practical implementation.

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said the initiative is designed to accelerate the shift from innovation to market adoption. “By connecting startups directly with corporate decision makers and regulators, we are enabling faster deployment of solutions and creating clear pathways for scale,” he said.

Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, said the program has helped Emirati founders move from early-stage ideas to market-ready businesses. “We are seeing national entrepreneurs move beyond early-stage ideation into tangible business impact,” he said.

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said the initiative gives startups access to customers, partners, and investors to support growth and scalability.

Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play, described the program as among the top-performing globally for its ability to deliver measurable outcomes within a short timeframe.

Participating startups received more than 80 hours of mentorship, along with introductions to investors, regulators, and ecosystem partners to support market entry and growth.

Dubai Founders HQ serves as a central platform linking startups with corporates, investors, and government entities to embed innovation into the broader economy. The initiative is part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to foster high-growth startups, support the creation of unicorns, and strengthen Dubai’s global position.

Following its first cohort, the program plans to expand sector-focused accelerators through additional strategic partnerships.