Dubai Founders HQ has partnered with global early-stage venture capital firm Antler to launch the Entrepreneur Academy, a six-week programme designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs from idea to business launch.
Quick Facts
- Six-week programme for first-time founders.
- Focus on idea validation and AI-powered product building.
- Offers a fast-track pathway to Antler’s Residency programme.
From Idea to Execution with AI
The new academy is designed for individuals with the ambition to start a company but who lack the initial experience or network. The curriculum focuses on practical skills, including identifying market opportunities, validating ideas, and building products.
Delivered through a mix of online and in-person sessions, the programme will feature guidance from founders, investors, and operators from tech companies like AWS and Nvidia. A key component will be training on the latest AI-powered tools and workflows, aiming to help new entrepreneurs build and execute their ideas more efficiently.
Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler, commented, “We believe exceptional founders can come from anywhere, but too often the barrier isn’t talent or ambition, it’s simply not knowing where to start. The Entrepreneur Academy is designed to remove that barrier.”
Bolstering Dubai’s D33 Agenda
This initiative directly supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which includes scaling 30 unicorns from the emirate and establishing it as a leading global innovation hub. By creating more structured entry points into entrepreneurship, the programme aims to expand the pipeline of future high-growth companies.
His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said, “Through the Entrepreneur Academy, we are opening the door to a new generation of entrepreneurs by giving aspiring founders a practical pathway to turn ideas into action. Together with Antler, we are helping more people take their first step into entrepreneurship while strengthening Dubai’s pipeline of future startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies.”
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, added, “This initiative reflects Dubai Founders HQ’s continued efforts to expand Dubai’s digital business ecosystem and create new paths for entrepreneurs to contribute to the emirate’s thriving innovation economy.”
A Structured Pathway to Funding
The collaboration creates a clear trajectory for founders. Participants who complete the Entrepreneur Academy and decide to pursue their ventures will be fast-tracked through the application process for the Dubai Founders HQ and Antler Residency programme.
This pathway offers continuous support, moving entrepreneurs from initial education and idea exploration to venture creation, pre-seed funding, and long-term growth. The partnership builds on the successful launch of Antler’s latest Residency in Dubai, which attracted founders from across the globe.
About Dubai Founders HQ
Launched in October 2025, Dubai Founders HQ is a joint initiative of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. It serves as the city’s central platform for startup and scale-up development, connecting founders with investors, corporates, mentors, and other ecosystem partners to help them launch and grow their businesses.
About Antler
Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm that invests in aspiring founders from the very beginning of their journey. Operating in 27 cities worldwide, the firm provides co-founder matching, business model validation, initial capital, and a global network of advisors. To date, Antler has invested in over 1,600 startups globally.
Source: Zawya
