- What
- No direct investment published; corporate pilot budgets via sprint accelerators.
- Who
- Early-stage local and international startups (sector varies by sprint).
- Cost
- Equity
- Status
- Active
Checked · September 2026 · startad.ae · How we check ↗
In detail
startAD is a university-anchored accelerator in the UAE. Abu Dhabi accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi, running since 2016. Corporate Sprint Accelerators pair global startups with UAE industry partners for pilots; the AI for Good initiative with Google.org develops AI healthcare applications for the UAE and KSA. 428 tech startups accelerated.
- Amount
- No direct investment published — startAD connects startups to funding opportunities; corporate pilot budgets via its Corporate Sprint Accelerators
- Terms
- Programme-dependent
- Eligibility
- Early-stage local and international startups; sector focus varies by sprint
- Sectors
- FinTech, ConstructionTech, Sustainability, AI, Hardware, DeepTech
- Benefits
- Corporate pilots (ALEC, CCC, Oracle)
- NYUAD facilities
- Investor readiness training
- Status
- Active
What the source says
“startAD is a nation-building organization that ignites homegrown innovation and propels the UAE into an entrepreneurial economy.”
startad.ae · seen September 2026
“A space for NYUAD students to learn, test, and build entrepreneurial ventures”
startad.ae · seen September 2026
Closing soon on the map
Cultural Development Fund (CDF)
Grant · Saudi Arabia
Up to SAR 500,000 non-repayable per project, capped at 20 projects total.
No equity — grant
29 Sep 2026closes
Finspire
Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash.
Equity via SAFE, capped at 5%
4 Oct 2026closes
QSTP Incubation
Accelerator · Qatar
In-kind support: Doha workspace and housing for a four-week Sprint, talent and investor access.
Equity — 1.5% deferred SAFE-style stake
1 Nov 2026closes
More accelerators & incubators in the UAE
Hub71
Accelerator · UAE
AED 250K in-kind plus AED 250K cash via SAFE note; up to AED 250K more via Access.
Equity — via SAFE note
—
in5 Dubai
Accelerator · UAE
Subsidized business licence and coworking workspace.
No equity — service or permission
—
Sheraa
Accelerator · UAE
Equity-free grants plus programme support.
No equity — grant
—
500 Global UAE
Accelerator · UAE
Equity investment pre-seed to Series A.
—
All accelerators & incubators in the UAE → · Across the Gulf →
Sources
Primary source · startad.ae · Checked September 2026