UAE Selects 21 Startups for Innovation Accelerator Program

Twenty-one ambitious startups just got a golden ticket to transform their big ideas into global solutions.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund in Dubai announced its newest class of innovators joining the Innovation Accelerator Program. These aren't just companies chasing trends; they're building real solutions to pressing challenges in healthcare, sustainability, and technology.

Since launching in 2018, the program has become a powerhouse for turning innovative ideas into thriving businesses. The accelerator provides founders with expert mentorship, training sessions, and direct access to investors and strategic partners across public and private sectors.

The results speak volumes. Nearly 200 companies have graduated from the program's first ten cohorts, collectively securing over AED 1 billion (about $272 million USD) in funding and creating more than 1,000 jobs across the UAE.

This year's cohort brings remarkable diversity. BioTwin uses artificial intelligence to create virtual health twins that detect diseases early and personalize care. Pharmedic combines AI and genomics to make medications safer and more effective.

Terra Grow is revolutionizing food production with AI-powered hydroponic technology, making sustainable farming possible even in desert climates. Palmear uses bioacoustic AI to detect pests in palm trees before they cause damage, protecting a vital part of Middle Eastern agriculture.

The innovation extends beyond healthcare and agriculture. Synergy Quantum provides quantum-secure cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. SLZ creates digital twins and augmented reality solutions for construction and manufacturing, making complex projects easier to manage.

Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the program's impact. "We provide founders with a supportive ecosystem that helps scale their businesses locally and internationally," she said, noting that the diversity of this cohort shows how mature the UAE's innovation landscape has become.

The Ripple Effect

These 21 startups represent more than just business opportunities. They're part of the UAE's larger vision to transition from an oil-dependent economy to a knowledge-based powerhouse.

Each company addresses real needs. Toothpick streamlines healthcare procurement and financing. AkelTech delivers fresh meals through AI-enabled smart vending machines. Third Body Dynamics builds modular, AI-powered satellite systems for rapid space missions, advancing the nation's space ambitions.

The program attracts both local entrepreneurs and international founders who see the UAE as the ideal launchpad for global innovation. With government backing, strategic mentorship, and access to one of the world's most dynamic business environments, these startups have the support structure most founders only dream about.

As these 21 teams begin their accelerator journey, they're not just building companies; they're helping write the next chapter of what innovation looks like when ambition meets opportunity.