Dubai Holding has announced the selection of 15 scale-ups from more than 1,400 submissions across 93 countries for the second edition of its global impact accelerator, “Innovate For Tomorrow”. Dubai Holding said the programme reflects its commitment to advancing sustainable innovation and supporting global solutions for a circular economy.

The initiative is delivered in partnership with TECOM Group PJSC’s start-up and entrepreneurship incubator in5 and in collaboration with BOLT. Moreover, it invited innovators worldwide to reimagine how resources are consumed, produced and regenerated. The aim is to support the transition towards a more circular and sustainable future.

In addition, the accelerator focuses on circular economy innovation across Dubai Holding’s key business areas. It is structured around three sub-themes. These include food loss and waste, resource recovery and regeneration, and digital innovation for sustainability.

Applications were received from several countries, including the UAE, India, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Furthermore, submissions underwent a rigorous evaluation process. The criteria included relevance of the problem addressed, impact potential, innovation and differentiation, customer and market validation, scalability, and suitability for the UAE market.

The selected scale-ups are competing for a total prize pool and pilot funding worth AED 850,000. Importantly, the winning scale-up will receive pilot funding and an opportunity to implement a proof-of-concept project within Dubai Holding’s diversified portfolio.

The selected companies also participated in a 12-week hybrid accelerator programme held from January to April 2026. It included mentorship sessions, masterclasses, and specialised workshops supervised by industry experts and representatives from Dubai Holding. As a result, the programme aimed to strengthen business models, accelerate market entry, and provide access to investor networks.

The cohort includes companies from the UAE, Norway, India, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. These scale-ups operate in environmental technology, recycling, sustainability, and digital innovation.

Dubai Holding said the programme supports its wider commitment to sustainable development. It also aligns with the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031, the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, and the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.

Finally, the programme will conclude in June 2026 with a Demo Day event. The top five scale-ups will present their solutions to investors, partners, and industry leaders. Dubai Holding continues to position itself at the centre of sustainability-led innovation through initiatives like Innovate For Tomorrow.

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