Dubai has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with global early-stage venture capital firm Antler to launch a flagship founder residency programme aimed at accelerating the creation of a new generation of venture-backed startups from the emirate.
The collaboration brings together the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, through Dubai Founders HQ, with Antler’s globally recognised venture creation and investment model. More than 600 founders are expected to be upskilled through the partnership, with a strong pipeline of new startups launched and funded from Dubai.
Dubai Founders HQ, launched in October 2025, serves as the city’s central platform connecting founders with investors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers. It operates as a flagship initiative under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which targets doubling the emirate’s economy by 2033 and supporting the emergence of globally competitive companies, including future unicorns.
At the centre of the partnership is Antler’s Residency Program, delivered from Dubai Founders HQ. The programme supports founders from day zero, guiding them to refine ideas, identify co-founders, build minimum viable products, and access pre-seed capital. Participants will also gain access to Antler’s Academy, which provides structured training and mentorship from its international network of investors, operators, and technology partners.
Antler has established its UAE headquarters within the Dubai Founders HQ campus, embedding its investment and programme teams directly into Dubai’s startup ecosystem. The move is designed to enable faster iteration, closer investor engagement, and stronger alignment between venture creation and capital deployment.
The partnership supports D33’s objective to scale 30 unicorns from Dubai and further strengthen the city’s position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Applications for the residency programme are now open to founders in the UAE and internationally.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
