talabat has launched Open Door, a startup enablement programme designed to connect early-stage companies with business challenges across its operations in MENA.
The programme will allow startups to test solutions in live commercial environments, work with talabat teams and potentially develop pilots into longer-term partnerships. It will operate across talabat’s eight markets, with the next cohort launching in the UAE in September 2026, followed by Oman and Bahrain later in the year.
As part of the initiative, talabat has signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore-headquartered QuikBot, which develops autonomous delivery robots for high-rise buildings. The pilot will run at Dubai Digital Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Riders will hand orders to a robot inside the building, which will then complete the delivery to the customer’s door.
May Youssef, Regional Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at talabat, said the programme gives startups a clearer route to engage with the company, test their ideas and potentially expand across the region.
According to the announcement, Open Door also supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal on decent work and economic growth.
Source: Fintech News UAE
