The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), an entity within the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has announced the launch of GameForward. This new accelerator programme, created in a strategic partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), is designed to empower Emirati game developers and bolster Dubai’s growing game development ecosystem.
A Strategic Push Into a $188B Market
The initiative taps into the significant market opportunity within the global gaming industry, which was projected to reach revenues of $188.8 billion in 2025. By helping Emirati developers transform their ideas into commercially viable ventures, GameForward directly supports Dubai’s broader economic goals.
The programme is aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to foster national talent in high-growth sectors, and the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033, which seeks to position the emirate as a top 10 global gaming hub and create 30,000 new jobs in the sector.
Inside The Accelerator
Set to begin in March 2026, GameForward will provide structured support across four strategic pillars. These include technical upskilling through masterclasses on game design and monetisation, business readiness workshops on go-to-market strategies and investor pitching, strategic mentorship from industry veterans, and integration with the wider startup community through Dubai Founders HQ.
Path to Pitch Day
The programme will culminate in a Demo Day during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in May 2026. Here, finalist teams will showcase their projects to industry experts and pitch to a panel of gaming leaders and investors for an opportunity to secure grants. The winning Dubai-based team will also receive exclusive post-programme support and global scaling assistance to accelerate their growth beyond the UAE.
Building a Homegrown Ecosystem
Officials emphasised the initiative’s role in building a sustainable local industry. “We are helping to build Dubai’s gaming economy from the ground up by equipping Emirati developers with world-class training and mentorship, ensuring that homegrown innovation remains central to Dubai’s economic future as a global digital economy hub,” said Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, added that the programme supports the Authority’s priorities of investing in Emirati talent by providing opportunities that foster innovation and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for the creative economy.
About GameForward
GameForward is an accelerator programme launched by Dubai SME and Dubai Culture to support and nurture Emirati game development talent. Open to individual Emirati developers and teams with at least one Emirati founder, the initiative provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and ecosystem access to help participants turn their gaming concepts into successful businesses.
Source: Zawya
