Dubai Holding, in partnership with Tecom Group’s in5 incubator, has opened applications for the second edition of its ‘Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator’. The global program calls on scale-ups with solutions for the circular economy to compete for a prize pool of AED 850,000 and a chance to secure a funded pilot project within Dubai Holding’s portfolio.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Accelerator Program.
- For: Global scale-ups with an MVP and a focus on the circular economy.
- Key Benefits: AED 850k Prize Pool , Funded Pilot Project , Mentorship, and Investor Access.
- Application Deadline: November 25, 2025.
- Location: Hybrid (Global applicants, program activities in Dubai, UAE).
Accelerator Program Overview
The Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator is Dubai Holding’s flagship scale-up program designed to empower innovators to build a more sustainable future. The 2025 edition challenges innovators to address pressing circular economy issues. From a global pool of applicants, 15 scale-ups will be selected for an intensive 12-week hybrid accelerator program. Participants will gain access to dedicated mentorship, expert-led masterclasses, and investor networks to sharpen their business models and accelerate market entry. The program culminates in a high-profile Demo Day in May 2026, where finalists will pitch to investors and industry leaders.
Prizes and Awards
The program offers a significant prize pool and exclusive perks.
- 1st Place: A fully funded proof-of-concept opportunity within Dubai Holding’s ecosystem and a cash prize of AED 500,000.
- 2nd Place: A cash prize of AED 250,000.
- 3rd Place: A cash prize of AED 100,000.
- Top 5 Scale-ups: One-year access to in5 incubation benefits valued at AED 90,000.
Focus Areas
The accelerator is seeking bold, innovative solutions across three key sub-themes of the circular economy:
- Food loss and waste: Solutions that reduce food waste through smarter use, sharing, or upcycling.
- Resource recovery and regeneration: Innovative reuse of materials in sectors like construction, packaging, and electronics to reduce dependency on virgin resources.
- Digital innovation for sustainability: Tech-enabled solutions using AI and IoT to transform how resources are designed, tracked, managed, and recovered.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have a functional prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP), early customer validation, or have pre-seed to pre-Series A funding.
- At least one full-time founder must be actively committed to participating throughout the 12-week hybrid program.
- Scale-ups must be willing and committed to scaling their solutions within the UAE.
Key Dates and Schedule
- Applications Close: November 25, 2025.
- Cohort Selection: December 2025.
- Accelerator Launch: January 2026 to April 2026.
- Demo Day: May 2026.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official program website. The deadline to apply is November 25, 2025.
Apply Here for the Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator.
About the Organizers
Dubai Holding is a diversified global investment company with operations in over 10 sectors and 34 countries. The program is delivered in partnership with in5, the startup and entrepreneurship incubator of TECOM Group. Founded in 2013, in5 has supported over 1,000 startups that have collectively raised more than AED 7.8 billion in funding.
Learn More: Innovate For Tomorrow
