The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), a federal initiative launched by the Ministry of Finance, has announced the selection of 21 innovative businesses for the 11th cohort of its Innovation Accelerator Program. The new cohort, selected from a competitive pool of applicants, represents a diverse range of sectors including healthtech, AI, space, and cybersecurity, underscoring the fund’s commitment to driving the UAE’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
Since its inception in 2018, the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator has served as a launchpad for high-potential businesses, equipping founders with the tools, mentorship, and market access needed to scale their impact regionally and globally.
Driving Strategic Innovation
The selection of the 11th cohort aligns closely with the UAE’s national development strategies, focusing on businesses that offer real-world solutions to pressing challenges. The program provides a comprehensive support framework, offering members access to a broad network of public and private stakeholders, expert-led training, and strategic engagement with investors.
Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry’s representative at MBRIF, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative:
“We are pleased to welcome the 11th cohort to the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator Program, an initiative that reflects our commitment to empowering high-potential, ambitious companies that are developing real-world solutions to pressing challenges, thereby supporting national development priorities. Through this program, we provide founders with a supportive ecosystem that helps scaling their businesses locally and internationally, while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation.”
Alnaqbi further noted that the diversity of the selected businesses reflects the growing maturity of the UAE’s innovation ecosystem, which continues to attract entrepreneurs from both local and international markets.
The Cohort 11 Lineup
The 21 startups selected for the program span a wide array of industries, leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics. The members of the 11th cohort include:
Health & Wellness
- BioTwin: An AI-powered virtual health twin platform facilitating early disease detection and personalized care.
- Pharmedic: A preventive healthcare solution using AI and genomics to enhance medication safety.
- Toothpick: A digital ecosystem that streamlines procurement, financing, and operations for healthcare clinics.
Digital Operations & Infrastructure
- Neulink: A platform for digitizing pharmacy operations and compliance workflows.
- Disrupt-X: An AI and IoT-powered solution designed for smart asset and facilities management.
- Synergy Quantum: A provider of quantum-secure cybersecurity infrastructure for critical systems.
- Defy: An AI-powered compliance and security platform tailored for Web3 businesses.
Industrial, Robotics & Space
- SLZ: Provides advanced digital twin and AR solutions for the construction and manufacturing sectors.
- Digitech Oasis: Develops AI and autonomous robotic solutions for enterprise automation.
- ROBOX: Delivers intelligent robotics for immersive brand and event experiences.
- ReflowX: A circular procurement marketplace for surplus energy-sector equipment.
- Third Body Dynamics: A UAE-based startup developing modular, AI-powered satellite systems for rapid space missions.
Service, Retail & Lifestyle
- Bellboy: An AI-driven communications platform serving the hospitality sector.
- Qode Limited: A unified digital platform for managing sports, entertainment, and leisure venues.
- AkelTech: Delivers fresh meals through AI-enabled smart vending technology.
- Actualize: An AI-driven platform that automates customer interactions across multiple channels.
AgriTech & Education
- Terra Grow: An AI-powered hydroponic technology enabling sustainable food production.
- Palmear: An AI-based bioacoustic solution for early pest detection in palm trees.
- Smartail: An AI-powered platform for automating student assessment and grading.
Business Support & Fintech
- CapQuest: A solution simplifying equity and ownership management for startups and SMEs.
- Professional.me: A recruitment solution transforming traditional resumes into interactive profiles.
A Legacy of Impact
The MBRIF Innovation Accelerator has established itself as a critical enabler within the UAE’s startup landscape. Over the course of ten previous cohorts, the program has supported nearly 200 innovative businesses. These alumni have collectively secured over AED 1 billion in external funding and generated more than 1,000 job opportunities across the UAE.
The program continues to contribute directly to national priorities, fostering economic diversification, competitiveness, and sustainable growth by supporting high-impact founders.
About Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) is a federal initiative launched by the Ministry of Finance and operated by Emirates Development Bank (EDB). Since its launch, it has supported innovators through its Guarantee Scheme, which offers government-backed loans to bridge the funding gap, and its Innovation Accelerator, which provides non-financial support to high-potential startups. The fund aligns with the UAE National Innovation Strategy to position the country as a global innovation hub.
Source: Press Release
