Opens applications for new 16-week Emirati founder programme
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), operating under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has announced a strategic move: the integration of the Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2) into Dubai Founders HQ.
The consolidation strengthens Hi2’s position as a dedicated launchpad for Emirati founders, embedding it more deeply within the emirate’s rapidly maturing startup ecosystem.
Hi2 was established in 2014 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
For over ten years, it has served as a critical support mechanism for Emirati entrepreneurs navigating the earliest stages of business creation.
By folding Hi2 into Dubai Founders HQ, the programme now offers participants something distinctly more valuable than incubation alone: direct, structured access to a wider constellation of mentors, investors, corporate partners, and growth-stage programmes.
The transition signals a shift from standalone incubation to a fully integrated founder support pathway — one that connects early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and market access necessary to build and scale from Dubai.
New 16-week programme
Marking the integration, applications are now open for a new cohort-based incubator programme designed to support 20 Emirati entrepreneurs in transforming early-stage ideas into scalable, high-impact technology businesses.
The programme, spanning 16 weeks, will commence in October 2026 and will be delivered from Dubai Founders HQ — the joint initiative of DET and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, launched in 2025 as a flagship project under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
Dubai Founders HQ functions as the city’s centralised platform bridging founders with the capital, corporate networks, and ecosystem enablers they need to succeed.
Who the programme is for
The initiative targets Emirati founders at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Eligibility spans a broad spectrum: from individuals carrying a promising concept yet to be formalised, to those already developing a minimum viable product (MVP).
No prior funding or company registration is required, making the programme genuinely accessible to aspiring founders who may not yet have taken their first formal step.
What participants will gain
Throughout the 16-week curriculum, Hi2 will guide participants through the foundational disciplines of venture-building:
- Idea shaping and refinement — moving from raw concept to clearly articulated value proposition
- Market validation — testing assumptions against real market signals and customer feedback
- Product strategy development — defining roadmaps, feature sets, and go-to-market approaches
- Commercial viability assessment — building business models that can attract investment and sustain growth
Upon completing the programme, founders will not graduate into a void. They will retain ongoing access to the broader Dubai Founders HQ ecosystem, including advanced programmes, industry events, community engagement opportunities, and continued connections with investors and corporate partners. This ensures that the momentum built during the 16 weeks translates into sustained progress.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of Dubai SME, framed the integration as part of a deliberate, long-term strategy to build national entrepreneurial capacity.
“Embedding Hi2 within Dubai Founders HQ is about creating a structured, end-to-end pathway for Emirati talent to move from first idea to investable business,” Almheiri said.
“In a global environment of rapid economic transformation, Dubai’s response has been to invest strategically in its founders, building the infrastructure and programmes that ensure our Emirati entrepreneurs are not only equipped to compete globally, but positioned to lead.”
He emphasised the programme’s open-door philosophy: “Through the new incubator programme, we are opening that doorway to founders at the very earliest stage of their journey, welcoming all regardless of prior funding or company formation. This is how we build a stronger, more diverse pipeline of national startups, advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”
Advancing D33 vision
This initiative reinforces Dubai’s sustained economic momentum and resilience. The Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, sets an ambitious target: doubling the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and further consolidating the city’s standing as a leading global destination for business and leisure.
The Hi2 integration exemplifies the Dubai government’s consistent approach of translating long-term strategic ambition into practical, measurable programmes. By ensuring Emirati talent remains central to the city’s growth trajectory, the programme contributes directly to building a diversified, innovation-driven economy — one where homegrown startups play an increasingly prominent role.
How to apply
Applications for the Hi2 incubator programme are now open and will close in August 2026. The 16-week programme begins in October 2026 at Dubai Founders HQ, with space for 20 Emirati founders selected to participate in this inaugural cohort under the new integrated structure.
