- What
- Equity investment of US$100,000+ through the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global.
- Who
- MENA-focused tech startups with an MVP and early traction.
- From abroad
- Within the region: MENA-focused startups (Middle East and North Africa) All programmes open to founders from abroad →
- Latest
- Last cohort Sep 2026 — Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global cohort runs 27 Sep–9 Dec 2026Newest dated item on its own site · checked Oct 2026
- Timeline
- 12-week programme; 2026 cohorts Apr–Jul and Sep–Dec; final application deadline was 9 Aug 2026 ↗As published by the programme itself
Checked · October 2026 · 500.co/mena · How we check ↗
In detail
500 Global UAE is an accelerator + VC in the UAE. Active MENA investor since 2012 — MENA HQ in Riyadh.
- Amount
- US$100,000+ equity investment via the Sanabil Accelerator
- Focus
- Tech startups — MENA focus
- Status
- Between windows — its application route is the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global: the cohort runs Sep 27 – Dec 9, 2026 in Riyadh; final application deadline was Aug 9, 2026
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what 500 Global UAE publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Tech startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ... Focused on the Middle Eastern and North African region (MENA)”
“Since 2012, 500 Global has been investing across MENA, building a portfolio of 300+ regionally headquartered companies”
“Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global 500 Global is looking for the next generation of talented entrepreneurs in MENA through this accelerator program designed for tech startups with early traction. Submit your application to be considered for Batch 12 (2026). Apply before August 9, 2026. Program Dates September 27 – December 9, 2026”
“Established our regional headquarters in Riyadh, alongside our Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator and fund in partnership with Sanabil Investments.”
“an equity investment of USD $100,000+ from 500 Global”
“The program Fee for Phase 1 is $35,000 per startup, excluding travel expenses.”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare accelerators & incubators in the UAE
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Global UAEEquity investment of US$100,000+ through the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global. | US$100,000+ | Equity; Phase 1 programme fee US$35,000 | Closed |
| CatalystSeed funding as SAFE notes, pre-seed and seed. | not published | Convertible | Active |
| Disrupt.comVenture builder that co-founds AI-first ventures and funds them from its own balance sheet. | not published | Equity | Open |
| Hub71AED 250K in-kind plus AED 250K cash via SAFE note; AED 250K top-up for high performers. | AED 250K | Equity | Open |
| in5 DubaiSubsidized business licence and coworking workspace. | not published | No equity | Active |
| IntelakAED 50K equity-free grant. | AED 50K | No equity | Active |
| NQubatorIncubation and acceleration programmes; Digital Commerce Cohort. | not published | Equity | Active |
| SheraaEquity-free ERF grants from an AED 5M fund plus programmes. | not published | No equity | Active |
| DIFC Innovation Hub — Fintech AcceleratorRegulatory sandbox access and programme support for fintech startups. | not published | No equity | Closed |
| Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2)Free 16-week tech incubator with mentoring and investor introductions; no cash amount. | not published | No cost to join | Closed |
| Innovate For Tomorrow (Dubai Holding)AED 500,000 to the winner plus a funded UAE pilot; runners-up AED 250,000 and AED 100,000. | AED 500,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Plug and Play Abu DhabiAccelerator programme with potential VC investment. | not published | Not published | Active |
| Presight AI AcceleratorSix-month accelerator with a $50K in-kind SAFE note; no working application link today. | $50K | SAFE | Active |
| startADNo direct investment published; corporate pilots via sprint accelerators. | not published | No equity | Active |
No programmes match these filters.
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
All accelerators & incubators in the UAE → · Across the Gulf →
Questions founders ask
What does 500 Global UAE offer?
Equity investment of US$100,000+ through the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global.
Does 500 Global UAE take equity?
Equity; Phase 1 programme fee US$35,000.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Within the region: MENA-focused startups (Middle East and North Africa).
Is it open now?
No — it is currently closed. The status on this page follows the programme’s own site.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · 500.co/mena · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/500global · Checked October 2026