If your start-up or scale-up is working on tackling waste, resource recovery or smart-technology solutions, here’s an opportunity worth your attention. Dubai Holding’s global accelerator invites innovators to join its “Innovate For Tomorrow” program, focused on circular economy challenges and offering funding, piloting and ecosystem access to advance sustainable ventures.
This accelerator is the 2025 edition of Dubai Holding’s flagship impact programme, which last year drew 150 submissions from 31 countries. (Government of Dubai Media Office)
For African MSMEs and start-ups, this is an especially relevant chance: you gain exposure to the UAE’s high-growth ecosystem, connect to investors, and pilot your solution in a large, diversified investment company spanning sectors like real estate, hospitality, manufacturing and logistics.
The 2025 program focuses on three sub-themes: “Food loss and waste”, “Resource recovery & regeneration”, and “Digital innovation for sustainability”.
Benefits include a prize pool of AED 850,000, a 12-week hybrid accelerator, pilot funding for winners, mentorship and investor access.
Benefits:
- Cash prizes totalling AED 850,000 (approximately USD 230,000) for winners.
- Winner will receive pilot funding and an opportunity to implement the solution within Dubai Holding’s ecosystem.
- 12-week hybrid accelerator (virtual + in-person in Dubai) offering workshops, mentor hours (up to 20 hours) and investor exposure.
- Access to 250+ discounted tech platforms and one-year access to the in5 incubator (for top scale-ups).
Eligibility:
To participate, you must be a scale-up with one of the following:
- A functional prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready for validation.
- Early customer validation or paying customers, or have raised pre-seed or seed funding (ideally pre-Series A). (dubaiholding.com)
At least one founder must commit full-time to the 12-week programme.
The programme is open globally, so African enterprises can apply — but selected scale-ups must be willing to operate or pilot within the UAE during and after the programme.
Duration:
- Application window opens: 6 October 2025.
- Application deadline: 25 November 2025.
- Selected cohort joins the 12-week accelerator from January to April 2026.
- Demo Day and pilot implementation phase begins May 2026.
Deadline:
Applications must be submitted by 25 November 2025.
Tips or FAQs (Helpful guidance for applicants):
- Prepare your materials ahead of submission. The FAQ states the online form must be completed in one sitting and cannot be modified later.
- Ensure your solution aligns with one or more of the sub-themes (food waste, resource recovery, digital innovation). Tailor your description to demonstrate fit.
- Highlight your traction clearly: e.g., prototype completed, early customers, funding raised or pilot projects. These are key to eligibility.
- Demonstrate how you can deploy or pilot in the UAE: since selected ventures must commit to scaling or implementation there. Use African-based operations to show global relevance but articulate your UAE entry strategy.
- Show founder commitment and team strength. At least one full-time founder must participate; this suggests that you should emphasise team capacity and readiness.
- Budget and pilot readiness matter: while the cash prize is attractive, the core value includes access to ecosystem and pilot opportunities. Be realistic and concrete in your proposal.
- Document diversity and inclusion credentials. The application asks whether the venture is female-founded/co-founded, youth-led or from emerging markets. These attributes can strengthen the application. (innovate-for-tomorrow.dubaiholding.com)
- Avoid submitting generic applications. Ensure the narrative connects your business model to the circular economy challenge, shows measurable impact, and describes clear next steps for growth in Dubai/UAE.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official application page: Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator 2025 (innovate-for-tomorrow.dubaiholding.com)
- Complete the online application form (takes approximately 10-15 minutes) and prepare to upload your pitch deck/executive summary and optionally a demo video.
- Confirm you have a functional prototype/MVP or early traction, and one full-time founder ready to participate in the 12-week programme. 4. Submit your application before the deadline (25 November 2025). Incomplete or late entries cannot be accepted.
